A Wonder Book of Old Romance
by F. J. Harvey Darton
Frederick A. Stokes Company, Ca. 1907 [No Date Printed], New York
CONDITION:
Good (G). The boards have bumped corners, edgewear, and fraying. The lettering on the boards is worn. The spine is rubbed, with minor fraying at the head/tail, and faded lettering. The hinges and joints are cracked. The text block is clean with occasional foxing. All illustrations are present. The endpapers are toned and bear an inscription.
ATTRIBUTES:
Illustrated edition. Hardcover. No dust jacket. Bound in cloth over boards. This is an antiquarian book that has had a long and illustrious journey through time. Please take a look at the pictures to ascertain the condition of this item.
DESCRIPTION:
F.J. Harvey Darton's "A Wonder Book of Old Romance" is a collection of classic romantic stories, encompassing tales of chivalry, knights, and damsels in distress. The book retells these stories in a manner accessible to modern readers, incorporating Darton's own interpretations and insights. The narratives draw from various cultures, including Greek, Roman, and medieval European traditions.
F.J. Harvey Darton (1878–1936) was an author, publisher, and historian of children's literature, best known for his pioneering work "The Story of English Children's Books in England: Five Centuries of Social Life" (1932). He was part of a family deeply involved in children's publishing, with his great-great-grandfather having started a publishing firm in 1787 that focused on children's literature. Darton graduated from St John's College, Oxford, in 1899 with a degree in classics and later became a director at the family publishing firm, Wells Gardner, Darton & Co.
The book holds significance as an anthology that preserves and reinterprets classic romance lore, including knight and quest stories. Its enduring themes of chivalry, honor, and love make it a compelling read for those interested in medieval romance. For collectors, this work is interesting due to Darton's role as a prominent historian of children's literature and his family's long-standing connection to the field. The inclusion of illustrations by A.G. Walker, a notable sculptor, painter, and illustrator, further enhances its appeal to collectors.
FLASHBACK TO 1907 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1907, the world was on the cusp of significant change; the Second Hague Peace Conference convened, aiming to limit armaments, while the Anglo-Russian Entente reshaped European alliances, and Oklahoma achieved statehood in the burgeoning United States. Picasso's revolutionary *Les Demoiselles d'Avignon* ushered in Cubism, and the first Ziegfeld Follies captivated New York audiences, marking a vibrant shift in popular entertainment. Meanwhile, figures like Lord Kelvin, a towering scientific intellect, passed away, leaving a legacy that continued to influence technological advancements.
Page Count: 424
Location: LIB-071