His Wedded Wife by Rudyard Kipling (Miniature Book Set)
Decorative art, leather-bound miniature book set • Rudyard Kipling (Author); publisher likely Altemus or a similar trade producer of pocket classics.
Style & Movement
Late Victorian / Early 20th Century trade binding; practical miniature book design.
Medium & Technique
Embossed green grained leather (or faux-leather) binding with silver-leaf or white stamped lettering and decorative borders.
Creation Period
Early 20th Century, approximately 1910-1930.
Dimensions & Format
Miniature pocket-sized format, approximately 4 x 2.5 inches per volume; vertical orientation.
Subject Description
A collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling, with the title volume 'His Wedded Wife'. The cover features monochromatic typography and a simple rectangular double-rule border.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. The leather shows pebble-grained texture with minor edge wear and silvering oxidation.
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $120 for a complete set depending on the volume count and internal cleanliness.
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80
Provenance History
Likely part of a mass-produced consumer set for domestic libraries; no specific owner marks visible in the image.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the early 20th-century trend of 'pocket libraries' which made high literature accessible and portable for the burgeoning middle class.
Notable Features
Includes the original matching slipcase, which is often lost; distinctive grained texture mimicking morocco leather.
Condition Issues
Fading of the stamped silver lettering, shelf wear on the spine edges, and structural fatigue to the cardboard slipcase.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight; avoid high humidity to prevent leather rot or foxing of the paper.