Publisher's Binding- Japonisme

Bertha Stuart

Bound in flexible bright red cloth with an elaborate gilt cover in a wrap-around design in a signed binding by Bertha Stuart. Black and white photographic scenic endpapers. All edges gilt. Design is of an elaborate bordered art nouveau tree in bloom motif, with the tree branches and blooms carrying over the spine and onto the top right corner of the rear cover. The rear cover also has an area to the bottom left depicting water with pebbles - all in gilt. A very Asian inspired design - leading one to believe that the tree is a cherry in bloom. The right rear corner, also in gilt, has the Henry Holt monogram with owl (very unusual). Book was also issued in green cloth with slightly different details to rear design.

The Art of American Book Covers 1875-1930 / Richard Minsky

"One of Bertha Stuart's most interesting designs was produced with simplicity, using two-tone gold (stamped with one textured die). The branches move both behind and in front of the title pane, a device Stuart used many times. Holt issued a series of books in this format, with different bindings by Stuart." (pg. 36)