This stunning edition of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe features stunning art nouveau boards designed by Ethel Larcombe in the Glasgow School of Art style. The book was published by Blackie and Son. The book is undated but these bindings usually date from the early 20th century (circa 1910's).
Ethel Larcombe was born and raised in Exeter where her parents owned a small school. She was employed by Talwin Morris (famed for his beautiful art nouveau book covers) on a freelance basis, to design covers for both Gresham and Blackie and Son.
The book is in very good condition but there is light bumping and wear to the corners. There is minor air bubbling in places to the cloth covering the boards, and minor marks to the boards. The spine shows light sunning and rubbing, with crushing to the spine ends.
Inside, there are no inscriptions and the pages just show age toning and sporadic foxing throughout. The book features one black and white frontispiece. Dimensions approximately 18.7cm x 13.2cm x 2.7cm.
The book will arrive hand wrapped in patterned wallpaper and string. The bubble wrap I use is 100% biodegradable and the jiffy bags are recyclable.
Where possible, I use 100% recyclable paper tape, but sometimes I have to use clear plastic tape for extra strength.