The Story of Ab; A Tale, Of the Time of The Cave Men
Chicago: Way & Williams, 1897. First Edition. Hardcover. First printing, small octavo size, 351 pp. Very good +. Item #25091602
A fictitious story taking place in the ancient past, with a striking binding design by William Henry Bradley (1868-1962). "Nicknamed the 'Dean of American Designers' by The Saturday Evening Post, [Bradley] was the highest-paid American artist of the early 20th century" (n.b., quote from Wiki).
___DESCRIPTION: Double-cover design by Bradley in red and deep gold on black cloth, top edge gilt, fore- and bottom edges uncut, prior owner name in a vintage hand with the date "Feb 8/98" at the top of the front free endpaper, frontispiece a map (this the only plate in the book), title page in red and black with publisher's logo prominently set forth, the copyright page with the date of 1897 (matching the date on the title page), the colophon with the printing date of August, 1897 (no mention of subsequent printings); binding small octavo size (7 5/8" by 5"), 351 pp..
___CONDITION: A bit better than very good, the boards clean, straight corners with light rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and in addition to the prior owner marking mentioned above, another prior owner name at the top of the rear pastedown; some wear to the head and tail of the spine, with the cloth at the head beginning to fray.
___CITATIONS: Bambace, no. A31; Krause, no. 44 (which states that the plates other than the initial frontis map "were purchased in 1898 by Way & Williams and used in later printings...").
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.
___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.
Price: $160.00