This stunning edition of The Good Governess by Maria Edgeworth features stunning art nouveau boards designed by Ethel Larcombe. The book was published by Blackie and Son. The book is undated but there is a written inscription on the front endpaper dated 1914.
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 good condition with the most noticeable flaw being the sunning to the spine. There is some minor chipping to the decoration on the front board and the corners show light wear and crushing. The back board has some faint scratching and there is foxing to the text block edges.
Inside, there is a written inscription on the front pastedown which has left a slight impression on the front free endpaper. The endpaper are tanned but the rest of the pages show lighter age toning with sporadic foxing. There are some occasional, superficial cracks to the gutter in places but the pages remain tightly bound.
The book features one colour frontispiece. Dimensions approximately 18.7cm x 13cm 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.