1903 THE BOOK OF THE CAT – with Facsimiles of Drawings in Colour by Elisabeth F. Bonsall; and, with Stories and Verses Written for the Pictures
by Mabel Humphrey

Large square folio measuring about 13 7/8 inches by 15 inches – BOOK BLOCK IS LOOSE FROM THE BINDING — an uncommon title

Copyright 1903, by Frederick A. Stokes Company  – Published in October 1903. This book purchased from the original estate with a companion volume THE BOOK OF THE CHILD by Humphrey and illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith and Elizabeth Shippen Green

With a few faults besides loose from binding – because of improper page turning (most likely by a youngster) there are about 8 pages of text with small tears at the lower gutter, and one half of one page of text is missing. There are black and white illustrations at the beginning of chapters, and 6 full page color illustrations of which two have tears as mentioned below.

showing the book block loose from binding

below image – note tear at bottom left of picture

the image below has a tear (hard to see) from the gutter over to the left leaf on the right

$225 – order number eb1092
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1903 THE BOOK OF THE CHILD – Jessie Willcox Smith and Elizabeth Shippen Green (illustrations); text by Mabel Humphrey

Large square folio measuring about 13 7/8 inches by 15 inches

Frederick A. Stokes Company October 1903, New York, 1903.  “With Facsimiles of Drawings in Colour by Jessie Willcox Smith and Elizabeth Shippen Green — And with Stories and Verses Written for the Pictures by Mabel Humphrey.” Internally a very good copy, externally the boards exhibit edgewear and and some waterstaining that never got inside. Inscribed on the FFEP “Merry Christmas to Barbara from Aunt Jessie 1903.” This signature is not quite what you see from Jessie Willcox Smith, unless it changed over time which happens, and I have not found that she has a niece, Barbara. Of course, Barbara could have been a favorite child that Jessie, who never married, may have known. Two very small tears at the bottom of seven pages (from not having been properly turned), not affecting anything. Headspieces by both Green and Smith. All seven full page illustrations present and sharp – four by Green (including the frontis) and three by Jessie Willcox Smith. Smith also did the charming front cover, the same illustration repeated on the rear board. UNCOMMON – Good+, pictorial boards (hardcover).

This book purchased from the original estate with a companion volume THE BOOK OF THE CAT also by Mabel Humphrey and illustrated by Elisabeth F. Bonsall.

Subject to prior sale in our shop, in which case this listing will be deleted.

above – bottom lines – “Copyright, 1903, By Frederick A. Stokes Company – Copyright, 1902 by C. W. Beck, Jr. Published in October, 1903

closeup of the inscription

text and illustrations only on one side (recto)

below, hard to see, piece of tape over tear at the bottom of the gutter

Sorry, two of the images came out with a pinkish tone – only on images, not book itself
Below you may be able to see the small tear at the bottom of the gutter – nothing missing.

$2350 – (order number 67903)
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