The Lady of the Aroostook

The Lady of the Aroostook

W. D. Howells, book's author

Boston: Houghton, Osgood, and Co.

1879

1st edition, 1st printing

Megan Lepak researched and wrote the event description in 2018.

[We have two copies of the book. The only difference is the color of the binding cloth]:
For a description of the book, please click on the image of the event label/description or scroll to the bottom of the page for the section entitled "Text" for a transcription of the attached document.

Literature

SPECIAL PS2025 .L2 1879 c. 1 [teal cloth covers]
SPECIAL PS2025 .L2 1879 c.2 [pea green cloth covers]

English, book's contents
English, event description

To see this book on November 15, 2018 in the "Event Photographs" Collection, please go here [Photograph of Books] 05445, here [Photograph of Books] 05457, and here [Photograph of Books] IMG_0602.

This book is included in a video in our Damaged Books digital exhibit: What kind of book damage do you think is the worst?

Transcription of event description:

THE LADY OF AROOSTOOK | W.D HOWELLS | BOSTON: HOUGHTON, OSGOOD AND CO. | 1879 | 1ST ED. 1ST PRINTING

This volume features teal cloth covers that coordinate with the oceanic motif seen in the gilt and black stamping at the top of the cover and spine. The stamping is in three registers. The top register contains the likeness of fish and other sea creatures and wave patterns. The middle register on the cover appears to be divided into left and right panels. The left panel portrays an American ship leaving the bay beside Venice (including an extravagantly domed cathedral). The ship in this panel seems to point the reader’s eye toward the contents of the book, or to the right panel. The right panel contains a different view of two ships near the port, specifically including a detailed representation of the corner of a Romanesque/Gothic building with pointed arches and rosette designs, and a pillar holding a visage of a winged lion. The lowest register offsets the gilt stamped title with a black stamped background. The registers/design on the spine is similar to the front cover, except the middle register contains a gilt illustration of a ship’s sail, rigging, and mast. The use of a decorative border at only the top or bottom of the front cover is rather typical in the late 1800s and clearly represents an understated version of beauty.

Overall, the detail in this seemingly small design is incredibly beautiful. The endpapers continue the oceanic motif thanks to their gray glossy material.

Book / Unpublished Print Document