This red leather edition of Nathaniel Hawthorne's A Wonder Book is a rare treasure, featuring a signed, original doodle by the book's famed illustrator, Arthur Rackham. Drawn in 1922, Rackham's century-old doodle remains in pristine condition, making this edition a true masterpiece.
Protected from wear and tear by its exterior box, the book's golden edges are still exquisite. There is minimal aging on the spine and covers, which only adds to its charm. This isn't some shiny plastic edition from a big box store; it's the real deal, and real leather shows its age.
This book has been housed for most of the last century in the personal library of Anne Larsen Simonson, whose father Roy E. Larsen was the publishing magnate behind TIME and Sports Illustrated. He began purchasing rare books for his children when they were young to enrich their intellect, environment, and financial future, and continued doing so even when they were married with children.
As Anne grew, so did her library and its renown, from the signed autobiography of Winston Churchill to the 19th-century works of Mark Twain. Displayed proudly alongside them, volumes like Nathaniel Hawthorne's Wonder Book are what gave the library its intoxicating combination of beauty and breadth.
With its original 1922 doodle by Arthur Rackham and excellent condition, this Wonder Book is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery for the discerning collector of art and literature alike.
