[Roycrofters | Limited to 40 Copies] The Deserted Village

Goldsmith, Oliver. The Deserted Village. East Aurora, NY: Roycroft Shop, 1898. Handwritten on the limitation page: "Numbers one to forty are specially illumined by hand", with this being #39. Signed by the illuminator, Minnie Gardner, and signed in Elbert Hubbard's name. Large initials in green and gold, and illuminated throughout by Gardner with beautiful watercolor vignettes. Printed in black and green on Dickinson's wove. Paper covered boards with green cloth spine and title in gilt. Measures approx. 9" x 11.5". Some marks and spots to covers, along with bumping & rubbing to corners and spine tips. 

"The Deserted Village was the first Roycroft book designed by W.W. Denslow. ... Denslow's 19 initials are outline letters, embellished with scrollwork, spiral flourishes, shamrocks, and other ornamental devices. The letters are printed in green and filled in by hand with gold paint. Copies #1-40, the most attractive and elusive specimens, contain additional freehand art" (On a High Shelf, Ogle).