An unusually well-preserved example of a scarce New York literary annual, distinguished by its sumptuous publisher's presentation binding, complete suite of illustrations and contemporary wedding presentation inscription.

Bibliographic Details

Author: Various Authors.
Title: The Gem of the Season. With Ten Beautiful Illustrations.
Publisher: Leavitt & Allen, New York.
Date: 1856 (dated on the colophon verso of the title page).
Edition: First or early edition.
Format: Full crushed maroon morocco, elaborately blocked in blind and gilt, all edges gilt.
Collation: Chromolithographic presentation page, engraved frontispiece, engraved title page, letterpress title, 264pp., seven further full-page steel engraved plates (ten illustrations in total), all with original tissue guards.
Provenance: Contemporary presentation inscription to the chromolithographic presentation page: "Miss Sophie Petibean on her wedding day from her friend ... Brown". Booklabel of Anthony David Estill to the front pastedown. Preserved in a bespoke cloth clamshell box with printed spine label.

Condition

An exceptionally attractive copy. The elaborate publisher's morocco binding is beautifully preserved, retaining its rich maroon colour with bright gilt decoration to both boards and spine. Only the faintest rubbing to the extremities, together with a few minor superficial scuffs.

Internally complete. Some intermittent foxing throughout, affecting principally the margins of a number of plates and occasional text leaves. The final two engraved plates have a few scattered spots extending into the image area. Overall a remarkably well-preserved example. The custom-built clamshell box provides excellent long-term protection.

Description

A remarkably handsome example of one of the finest American Victorian gift books issued during the golden age of decorative presentation annuals. Published in New York by Leavitt & Allen, The Gem of the Season was intended as an elegant keepsake, combining poetry, short prose pieces and finely engraved illustrations within a sumptuous publisher's binding designed to rival contemporary English gift books.

The magnificent binding is undoubtedly the outstanding feature of this copy. Executed in richly coloured crushed maroon morocco, both boards are lavishly decorated with elaborate blind-stamped ornament surrounding intricate gilt floral centrepieces, complemented by an equally ornate gilt-decorated spine and bright gilt edges. The result is an outstanding example of mid-nineteenth-century American decorative bookbinding and a striking display piece in its own right.

The volume contains its complete suite of ten illustrations, including the attractive chromolithographic presentation page, engraved frontispiece, engraved title page and seven further full-page steel engravings, each protected by its original tissue guard. Particularly charming is the contemporary manuscript presentation inscription recording the volume as a wedding gift to Miss Sophie Petibean, preserving the very purpose for which these luxurious annuals were produced.

Gift books of this quality occupied an important place in Victorian social life, being exchanged at Christmas, New Year, birthdays and weddings. Although many have survived in worn condition, examples retaining such an exceptionally bright and well-preserved original binding are increasingly difficult to locate. The present copy is further enhanced by its bespoke clamshell case, ensuring that this outstanding decorative binding has been carefully preserved.

Notes

A beautiful example of an increasingly scarce American literary annual, combining a magnificent publisher's binding, complete illustration suite, contemporary presentation inscription and outstanding shelf appeal. An excellent addition to any collection of Victorian bindings, gift books or nineteenth-century American publishing.