[Fine Binding | Cedric Chivers] World's Children

Menpes, Mortimer and Dorothy. World's Children. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1903. Text by Dorothy Menpes, illustrations by Mortimer Menpes. Limited to 500 copies, of which this is #11. Signed by the illustrator, with an original watercolor illustration of a Dutch girl bound in. Illustrated with 100 color reproductions of watercolor paintings.

Bound in dark blue crushed morocco by Cedric Chivers, with the front cover featuring an art nouveau design of inlaid orange lotus flowers (accented with red) and inlaid deep green lily pads, with vines, pointille, and surrounding border in gilt. Flat spine with the title and author at top and a mimicked narrower front cover design encompassing the remaining three-quarters. Central gilt design of stylized lotus flowers to rear cover. Gilt-rolled turn-ins with marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Housed in blue cloth solander case lined with marbled paper (appears to be original). Measures approx. 8.75" x 11" (over 2" thick). Spine slightly darkened. A stunning example.