A WONDER BOOK
New York: George H. Doran Company, 1922. Arthur Rackham. First American Trade Edition. Bound by H&H Bindery. [FINELY-BOUND MODERN FIRSTS]. [RACKHAM, Arthur, illustrator]. HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel. A Wonder Book. New York: George H. Doran, [1922]. 4to. Illustrated in color and black and white. [207] pp. Beautifully bound by H & H Bindery in full red levant morocco, front board with pictorial multi-colored leather onlays, front board and spine stamped in gilt, facsimile pictorial endleaves. Fine. FIRST AMERICAN TRADE EDITION IN A BEAUTIFUL MODERN ART BINDING. Measurements: 9.5 x 7.5.
A Wonder Book is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 masterpiece where he reimagines classic Greek myths through a more whimsical, "Gothic" lens tailored for children.
Instead of the often cold or stern tone of original Greek tragedy, Hawthorne added warmth, humor, and a sense of "wonder" (hence the title).
The book is structured into six distinct stories, each introduced by a framing narrative featuring a college student named Eustace Bright telling the stories to a group of children:
The Gorgon’s Head: The heroic quest of Perseus to slay Medusa.
The Golden Touch: The famous cautionary tale of King Midas, who wished everything he touched turned to gold.
The Paradise of Children: A retelling of the story of Pandora and the opening of the mysterious box.
The Three Golden Apples: Hercules and his quest to find the Garden of the Hesperides.
The Miraculous Pitcher: The story of Baucis and Philemon, an elderly couple who show hospitality to disguised gods (Zeus and Hermes).
The Chimæra: Bellerophon’s adventure to tame the winged horse Pegasus and defeat the triple-headed monster.
While the stories are Hawthorne’s, the "soul" of this specific 1922 edition is Arthur Rackham’s interpretation.
Visual Atmosphere: Rackham didn’t just draw the scenes; he captured the mood. His illustrations for "The Gorgon's Head" and "The Chimæra" are legendary for their intricate line work and muted, earthy color palettes.
The "Golden Age": This book represents the peak of the "Golden Age of Illustration," where the artwork was considered just as important—if not more so—than the text itself.
. Near Fine. Item #904
Price: $2,500.00
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