Three Greek Children
A Story of Home in Old Time
by Alfred J. Church
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1892, New York & London

CONDITION:
Good. The cloth over boards are moderately edgeworn, moderately rubbed, and moderately scuffed, with moderate fading to the cloth and fading to the gilt. The lettering on the boards is worn. Library markings are present on the boards. The spine is moderately rubbed, with minor fraying, worn gilt, and faded lettering. There is a dewey decimal sticker on the spine. The hinges and joints are Good. The text block and pages are crisp and clean. The endpapers are Fair, with a partial library bookplate, minor soiling, and moderate toning. The plates and illustrations are Very Good, with tissue guards present and all illustrations present.

ATTRIBUTES:
First edition. Illustrated edition. Hardcover. No dust jacket. Bound in cloth over boards. This is an ex-library book with typical markings such as card slots, stamps, decimal numbers, etc. Bookplate has been removed. This is an antiquarian book that has had a long and illustrious journey through time. Please take a look at the pictures to ascertain the condition of this item.

DESCRIPTION:
Alfred J. Church's "Three Greek Children" is a work of children's historical fiction set in ancient Greece. The narrative centers on three siblings, Pericles, Aspasia, and Damon, who initially reside in a rural village. The story vividly portrays daily life, customs, festivals, and social norms of ancient Greece, offering young readers an engaging and informative introduction to the culture and history of the period. Themes of friendship, family, and the significance of education are explored as the children face challenges and opportunities, particularly after their father's death forces them to relocate to Athens.

Alfred J. Church (1829-1912) was an English classical scholar and author, educated at King's College, London, and Lincoln College, Oxford. He held various educational positions, including assistant-master at Merchant Taylors' School and professor of Latin at University College, London. Church is particularly renowned for his numerous retellings of classical tales and legends for young people, such as "Stories from Virgil" and "Stories from Homer," making ancient literature accessible to a younger audience.

This book holds literary significance as an example of Church's dedication to introducing classical antiquity to children through engaging storytelling. His works are considered invaluable resources for classical education, known for exciting interest in history among intermediate students by including fascinating historical details often omitted from introductory courses. A collector interested in children's literature, classical studies, or historical fiction would find this book appealing due to its author's reputation for making ancient history accessible and enjoyable for young readers, and its role in a broader body of work that shaped how classical stories were presented to new generations.

FLASHBACK TO 1892 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1892, the world was preparing for the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition, ushering in an age of technological marvels like the first automatic telephone exchange, while cholera epidemics still ravaged parts of Europe. Alfred J. Church, already a prolific classical scholar, saw the US presidential election pitting Grover Cleveland against Benjamin Harrison, and the British Empire grappling with Irish Home Rule debates. Meanwhile, the first issue of *Vogue* magazine hit newsstands, and in France, the Panama Canal scandal erupted, revealing widespread corruption.

Page Count: 205

Location: ABS-1-2-016