TAPPAN, Eva March (Editor). The Children's Hour (Complete in 10 Volumes).

Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin & Company, 1907.

First Edition, Limited Edition — Number 142 of only 1,000 numbered copies.

An exceptionally handsome, complete 10-volume limited edition set of one of the finest anthologies of classic juvenile literature ever assembled. Bound in rich dark three-quarter leather over cream parchment/vellum boards, the spines feature raised bands and intricate, all-over gilt-tooled foliate and ivy scrollwork across four distinct panels with bright gilt titling. Each volume measures 8.5" x 6" and is generously illustrated throughout with captioned black-and-white plates and full-color frontispieces with protective tissue guards. Pages are bright and clean, without marks or foxing.

Curated by renowned educator and historian Eva March Tappan, this landmark set serves as a masterclass in world folklore, mythology, natural science, and heroic storytelling:

Vol. I: Folk Stories and Fables – Timeless fairy tales, moral fables, and animal lore from Aesop, the Brothers Grimm, and Hans Christian Andersen (including The Steadfast Tin Soldier).

Vol. II: Myths from Many Lands – Core mythologies spanning Greek, Roman, Norse, Slavic, and Native American traditions.

Vol. III: Stories from the Classics – Adaptations of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil’s Aeneid, and ancient historical accounts tailored for young readers.

Vol. IV: Legendary Heroes – Epic chivalric tales and folk legends, featuring King Arthur, Robin Hood, Roland, Beowulf, and Rustem.

Vol. V: Seven Old Favorites – Unabridged or core adaptations of enduring masterpieces including Gulliver’s Travels, Robinson Crusoe, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and Rip Van Winkle.

Vol. VI: Stories and Poems – Beloved literary narratives and narrative verses from classic English and American authors.

Vol. VII: The Out-of-Door Book – Engaging nature writing, wilderness lore, bird life, and animal adventures celebrating the natural world.

Vol. VIII: Adventures and Achievements – True historical accounts of courage, exploration, Arctic expeditions, inventors, and scientific breakthroughs.

Vol. IX: Poems and Rhymes – Comprehensive collection of classic verse, nursery rhymes, ballads, and poetry by Longfellow, Tennyson, Wordsworth, and Blake.

Vol. X: Modern Stories – Late 19th- and early 20th-century children's fiction and contemporary classic stories.

Strict Limitation: First printing limited to just 1,000 hand-numbered copies (Copy No. 142).

Fine Binding Display: Spectacular decorative gilt spines create a striking, uniform display for a library shelf or study.

High-Quality Production: Printed on heavy antique laid paper with Art Nouveau illustrated title page borders and rich color frontispieces.