FRIENDSHIP'S OFFERING; and Winter's Wreath: A Christmas and New York's Present, for MDCCCXXXIX.

London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1839 [1838]. Hardcover. A lovely example of this British holiday gift book, which combines literary, poetry, and art, with contributions by John Ruskin, Frances Maclellan, George William Lovell, Eliza Walker, Leitch Ritchie, and Agnes Strickland. Printed by Stewart and Murray, London. 24mo: xii, 384 pp. with the frontispiece, presentation page, and 8 full-page plates with tissue guards, all steel engravings, by J. Brain, S. Bull, Henry Cook, J.W. Cook, G. Richardson, H. Richter, H. Rolls, and W.C. Wrankmore, after G. Barrel, J. Bonnington, A.E. Chalon, H. Corbould, J.J. Jenkins, J. Nash, H. Richter, R. Westfall, and J.M. Wright. In the publisher's maroon morocco binding, designed by Alexander Bain, with embossed floral ornamental borders, foliate spandrels, foliate surround, and decorative frame for gilt-stamped lyre device, and embossed titling on the front and rear panels; and gilt-stamped ornamental compartments, compartment rulles, and titling on the spine. All edges gilt, with buff coated endpapers. Internally crisp and clean, with just the slightest hint of toning to the plates. Some very light rubbing along the bottom edge; else a superlative example. Faxon 1344; Jamieson 38; Wolf 131. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Item #79050

Price: $350.00