The King of the Golden River and Dame Wiggins of Lee and Her Seven Wonderful Cats by John Ruskin (1921 1st Thus Hardcover, no DJ)
The King of the Golden River (1850) is a wonderful children's tale about kindness, generosity, and how it can be rewarded (approx. 60pp). Dame Wiggins of Lee and Her Seven Wonderful Cats is a poem about her precocious felines. Illustrated by 4 full-color plates bound in. iv + 72pp + 4 plates.
John Ruskin (1819–1900) was an English philosopher and writer of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as geology, architecture, myth, art, ornithology, literature, education, botany and political economy.
The King of the Golden River (1850) is his only work of fiction, written because of a challenge by his future wife. It is the most often published of his works.
Ruskin was hugely influential in the latter half of the 19th century and up to the First World War. After a period of relative decline, his reputation has steadily improved since the 1960s with the publication of numerous academic studies of his work. Today, his ideas and concerns are widely recognized as having anticipated interest in environmentalism, sustainability and craft.
Maria Louise Kirk (1860–1938) was an American painter and illustrator of more than fifty books, most of them for children. She illustrated the 1st edition of The Secret Garden as well as collaborated with John Tenniel to produce the 57 illustrations in the 1904 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Hardcover has ivory cloth boards with black lettering and illustration on front and spine, but no DJ. Well-used copy, has patine and smudges on covers worn through at edges. Interior is tight, but obviously handled with pages marked by children. No missing or torn pages found. Markings indicate this copy used for instruction of upper grade school children in the study of literature, but no marks indicate that this copy was owned by any school district.
Copyright 1921 for the illustrations; story was in public domain by 1921. Title page indicates this copy printed in 1921, colophon indicates 1st printing of this edition, although not explicitly stated. Printed in U.S.A. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR.
Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:
Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Using the same term as coin collectors, “can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be.” Booksellers need a similar word to describe this...
Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates for titles still in print.
Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.
Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)
Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Usually requires repair to be usable.
Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.
1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy for their collection.
Thanks for looking!