A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls (Cover Illustration featuring Bellerophon and Pegasus)
Illustrated book cover and decorative textile-bound book design • Published by Duffield & Company; likely designed by an in-house illustrator or associated artist of the period, often linked to editions illustrated by artists such as Walter Crane or Granville Fell
Style & Movement
Arts and Crafts / Edwardian decorative book illustration
Medium & Technique
Embossed, stamped, and multi-colored ink blocking on publisher cloth binding
Creation Period
1908
Dimensions & Format
Standard octavo book format, approximately 8 x 6 inches (portrait)
Subject Description
The cover depicts Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus, flying amidst stylized clouds, with decorative typography reading 'A Wonder Book / for Boys and Girls / By Nathaniel Hawthorne'
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Shows minor edge wear, rubbing to the cloth surface, and fading typical of vintage and antique cloth-bound books from the early 20th century.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Acquired through general antiquarian book channels, originally published in the United States in 1908.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the golden age of American and British children's book publishing, reflecting the high aesthetic standards of decorative bindings in the early 1900s inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.
Notable Features
Distinctive embossed metallic-tinted stamping depicting Pegasus in dynamic flight across the front board, characteristic of high-quality early 20th-century decorative publisher bindings.
Condition Issues
Fading of the primary red cloth ground, minor shelf wear at the corners and spine edges, slight surface dirt.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading. Clean gently with a soft dry cloth. Store in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity.
Collector Notes
Copyrite 1908