OLD ROSE AND SILVER
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1909. Hardcover. Third printing (October 1909; originally September 1909). Like many of Reed’s works, this sentimental novel is graced with a striking Art Nouveau cover by Margaret Armstrong (1867-1944), among the most influential book designers of her time. The publisher’s 16 pp. prospectus (“Myrtle Reed, Her Books”) is laid in at the front. Octavo: [1, blank], [1, ads], vi, [2], 364 pp. with the frontispiece with red-captioned tissue guard, a color halftone after a painting by Walter Biggs. The title page is printed in red and black; text pages with running heads and side notes printed in red. In the publisher’s lavender vertical-ribbed cloth binding designed by Margaret Armstrong, with pink and silver-stamped gridded trellis and stylized rose vine decorations, and silver-stamped tilting on the front panel; and gilt-stamped floral ornaments and titling on the spine. Top edge gilt, with buff endpapers. Faint offsetting to the rear endpaper. In the scarce lavender-stamped dust jacket, which is unevenly toned with a small scuff to the front panel. Housed in the publisher’s slipcase with pale lavender blind-stamped moiré pattern coated paper-covered boards, a printed buff paper spine label onlay, and fore-edges with thumb cuts. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Near fine / Very good. Item #80975
Price: $200.00