1904 Italian Villas and Their Gardens by Edith Wharton / Scarce FIRST EDITION The Century Co. / Beautifully Illustrated by Maxfield Parrish

In good condition, here is a scarce FIRST EDITION copy of Italian Villas and Their Gardens by Edith Wharton. Beautifully illustrated by Maxfield Parrish in colour and black and white. In addition there are a number of black and white photos. Published in 1904 by The Century Co., New York.

This delightful book is well-known for its elegant prose and insightful descriptions. It has become a classic piece of garden literature. Exploring the history and character of Italian garden architecture and ornamentation. Wharton, a passionate connoisseur of garden design, captures the "garden-magic" of over seventy-five villas, highlighting the intimate relationship between the house, its formal gardens, and the surrounding countryside. Parrish's illustrations, in his trademark dreamy, fairy-tale style, complement Wharton's text perfectly, bringing the legendary gardens to life.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound. With just some very mild spotting to the frontispiece tissue-guard, and then in just the odd place inside. Overall very little indeed, which is uncommon for this edition. With small nicks to the bottom of three pages. A book plate has been removed on the front paste down (see photos) leaving a shadow mark, and there is an inked inscription on the blank verso of the front free endpaper, dated April 28th 1908. Otherwise no other writing or markings of previous ownership. The top edge is gilt, the other sides untrimmed. All plates are present as called for - one tissue guard has a crease.

In the original publisher's boards. Dark green cloth covered boards have ornate gilt decoration to the front and spine. Again in top order. Slight rounding to the corners. With a couple of small splits in the cloth at the head of the spine joints. Small scuff to the bottom of the rear board. A scuff also across the bottom of the gilt on the front. Overall the cloth and gilt are super. Scarce in this good condition.

Your first edition copy of Italian Villas and Their Gardens will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to include a gift message in the parcel if desired.

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H 28 cm x W 19 cm, 270 pages, 1.5 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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