This stunning 1904 first edition of Edith Wharton's Italian Villas and their Gardens represents an extraordinary collaboration between the literary giant and Golden Age illustrator Maxfield Parrish. This book is not merely a collectible—it is a piece of art history.
The Story Behind the Illustrations
Parrish's illustrations in this volume represent the culmination of three pivotal European journeys:
His teenage trip with his father, where he first encountered European antiquity
His "solo honeymoon" just days after his 1895 wedding
His 1903 journey with his wife Lydia, undertaken expressly to create the illustrations for this book
The result is a profusely illustrated masterpiece featuring both color and black-and-white illustrations spanning a four-page table of contents.
Exceptional Condition
This copy is in good to very good condition—remarkable for a book over 120 years old. The spine and binding remain intact with only minor corner wear commensurate with age. The interior is exceptional, with surprisingly little toning and almost no fading to the color illustrations. All 270 pages are intact, including every illustration and the wax pages that introduce some of the illustrations.
Investment Value
Individual illustrations from this book regularly command upwards of $100 each. This complete volume, with all illustrations intact and in fantastic condition, represents a rare opportunity for serious collectors.
Specifications
Dimensions: Approximately 10.75" × 7.5" × 1.5"
Pages: 270, all intact
Illustrations: Color and black-and-white throughout
Condition: Good to very good; spine and binding intact
A stunning centerpiece for any Parrish collection and a testament to the enduring beauty of the Golden Age of Illustration.
