Gardens Of England
By Beatrice Parsons & E.T.Cook A.C.Black
Gardens of England" by Beatrice Parsons and E.T. Cook, published by A.C. Black in its second impression in 1911, is a beautiful and historically significant book.
Here's a breakdown of what makes it so special:
Authors:
Beatrice Parsons: A talented artist known for her delicate and evocative watercolour illustrations, particularly of gardens and flowers. Her illustrations are a major highlight of the book.
E.T. Cook: A well-known gardening writer and editor of the influential gardening magazine "The Garden." His expertise provides the text with authority and insight.
A.C. Black: This publishing house was renowned for its high-quality illustrated books, particularly those featuring colour plates.
1911 (2nd Impression): This places the book within a specific historical context – the Edwardian era, a time of great interest in gardens and landscape design. While not a first edition, a second impression from so soon after the original publication still holds considerable value.
Content: The book likely showcases some of the most beautiful and notable gardens in England at the time.
Expect: Beautiful Illustrations: Parsons' watercolour paintings are the book's main attraction, capturing the beauty and atmosphere of the gardens. They often depict flowers, landscapes, and architectural features.
Descriptive Text: Cook's writing will likely provide detailed descriptions of the gardens, their history, design, and plants. He may discuss the principles of garden design prevalent at the time.
Historical Context: The book offers a valuable glimpse into the gardening tastes and practices of the Edwardian era.
Format: Given the publisher and era, the book is likely a beautifully produced hardback with high-quality paper and printing. The colour plates would have been carefully tipped in.
Collectability: Books with beautiful colour plates, especially those on popular subjects like gardens, are often collectible. The value depends on the book's condition, the completeness of the plates, and whether it has its original dust jacket (though this is less common for books of this age).
Why this book is significant:
Artistic Merit: Parsons' illustrations are highly regarded for their beauty and artistic skill.
Historical Importance: The book provides a valuable record of English gardens in the early 20th century.
Literary Value: Cook's writing is informative and engaging, offering insights into the gardening practices and aesthetics of the time.
20 beautiful illustrations with tissues.
2nd Impression 1911
Good Used Condition for its age - see images. Please Note: Foxing to endpapers and page edges due to the books age - see images. Decorated green cloth cover has damage on the back - see images. Personal Message/Dedication on first page - see images
This item is being sold under the Retail Gift Aid scheme which enables us to increase the value of donations. Our charity is acting as an agent selling this item on behalf of the Gift Aid Donor.
