Binding: Leather,Place of Publication: New York,Language: English,Illustrator: Arthur Rackham,Special Attributes: 1st Edition, Illustrated, Rare, Fine Leather Binding, Great Conditiion, Over 100 Years Old,Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne,Publisher: George H. Doran Company,Topic: Classics,Country of Origin: United States of America,Subject: Literature & Fiction,Year Printed: 1922,Original/Facsimile: Original A WONDER BOOK Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne Title: A WONDER BOOK Publication: New York: George H. Doran Company, 1922 Edition: First American Trade Edition Description: Arthur Rackham. 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. Seller ID: 904 Subject: Fine Leather Bindings, Literature & Fiction, Mythology