A rare 10 book set, containing 20 volumes (2 volumes in each book). This 1923 set is very hard to find. This set includes Volumes (5,6) (9,10) (11,12) (15,16) (17,18) (19,20) (21,22) (23,24) (29,30) (33=Index). What makes this set particularly rare and highly desirable is its stunning 'Art Nouveau' design features. Notice the beautiful style reminiscent of the roaring 1920s. These 100 plus year old books are very solid and well designed and have a great feel to them. Rich content aside, they look phenomenal on any bookshelf and add serious serious style to any room. These were made in an age when style and quality had its place. This series was originally published in London by The Grolier Society (London, Toronto) in 1899 in English, and was printed and translated into French, German and Italian;, and again in 1922, and 1923. This unique 1923 edition has elegant indented and stylized gold gilt lettering and design on the covers and spines, with a wonderful cloth binding. There are no markings and the spines are solid. Five of the books have what appear to be a coffee stain that must have spilled on the shelf and stained the base pages. None of the stains are on the actual print (see all images for a detailed look). Volumes contains some nice illustrations. Edited by an impressive team: Richard Garnett (Keeper of the Books at The British Museum), Leon Vallee (Librarian at the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris), Alois Brandl (Professor of Literature at the University of Berlin) with Introductions by R.Bruce Taylor, D.D., LL.D. (Queen's University) and Pelham Edgar, Ph.D. (University of Toronto). Total weight for all 10 books = 9367g Dimension of each book = 16x23.3x3cm
More Info: The "Book of Literature" published by the Grolier Society in 1923 and edited by Richard Garnett is a notable anthology series that aimed to provide a comprehensive collection of world literature. Here are some key points:
Editorship: Richard Garnett, a prominent English writer and librarian, served as the editor. He was known for his wide-ranging knowledge of literature and his work as a bibliographer and editor.
Publication: The Grolier Society, founded in 1884 in New York City, was known for producing high-quality editions of classic literature and reference works. The "Book of Literature" was one of their ambitious projects.
Contents: The series aimed to encompass a wide variety of literary works, including poetry, prose, drama, and essays. It aimed to be comprehensive in its coverage, spanning different cultures and historical periods.
Volumes: The exact number of volumes in the series can vary depending on the edition, but typically it was a multi-volume set, often spanning several volumes. Each volume would cover a specific period, genre, or region of literature.
Purpose: The series was intended not only to provide readers with access to classic literary works but also to serve as a reference and educational tool. It aimed to be both scholarly and accessible, catering to a broad audience interested in literature.
Legacy: The "Book of Literature" series contributed to the preservation and dissemination of classic literature at a time when access to such works was more limited than today. It reflects a scholarly effort to compile and curate the best of world literature.
Overall, the "Book of Literature" edited by Richard Garnett stands as a significant literary anthology series from the early 20th century, showcasing the richness and diversity of global literary traditions. Its publication by the Grolier Society underscores its commitment to producing authoritative editions of literary classics.
