Nature for Its Own Sake; First Studies in Natural Appearances by Van Dyke, John C.; Armstrong, Margaret (Publisher's Binding Design) - 1906

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1906. 4th Printing. Hardcover. Near fine. Duodecimo size, 314 pp. The designs of Margaret Armstrong (1867-1944), utilising the Art Nouveau style and floral patterns, were a sensation in the publishing business; Armstrong created over 270 book designs, often for the works of well-known authors such as Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, and George Washington Cable. In addition to designing books, Armstrong wrote books as well, including a comprehensive guide to wildflowers in the American West, which she also illustrated. This book by John Charles Van Dyke (1856-1932) details aspects of nature such as the skies, forests, and rivers; it does not include animal life, as Van Dyke intended the work to examine nature in and of itself, without relation to human beings. This volume is the fourth edition, and features an elegant design echoing the shapes of flowers, by Margaret Armstrong. ___DESCRIPTION: Full green cloth, gilt lettering and floral design in gilt by Margaret Armstrong (unsigned) on the front board, gilt lettering and decorations on the spine, top edge stained grey, frontispiece a black-and-white photograph of the author, with tissue guard, text with black ruled borders along the fore-edges with marginal text in black; duodecimo size (7.25" by 5"), pagination: [i-viii] ix-xx [xxi-xxii] [1] 2-292. ___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean boards, bright gilt on the front board and spine, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; the spine with some very slight soiling at the bottom, but boards are clean overall, some rubbing to the head and tail of the spine and to the corners, corners are very gently bumped, and a few pages with small creases to the top corners. ___CITATION: Gullans and Espey no. 293. ___POSTAGE:  International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.