Books

New York: Century, 1904. First. hardcover. very good. Parrish, Maxfield. Profusely illustrated with 52 illustrations, 27 of which are color plates or half tones by Maxfield Parrish, protected with lettered tissue; the rest being photographs and drawings by E. Denison, Malcolm Fraser and C. A. Vanderhof. Small 4to, 270 pages, original pictorial green cloth, cover design by Decorative Designers with elaborate pictorial decorations after Maxfield Parrish in an all over design & showing a villa garden. New York: The Century Co., 1904. First edition. Illustration from the dust wrapper is pasted to inside front cover. Small calling card with original pencil drawing is pasted at top of half title. A very good copy, slightly rubbed & knocked on the cover and extremities, neatly mended at spine ends.

Italian Villas and Their Gardens, written by Edith Wharton, provides a detailed discussion of the history, design, and character of Italian villa architecture and its accompanying gardens. Edith Wharton not only provides a scholarly perspective on the subject but also a personal narrative on how these spaces impacted her.

Look for the mention of '1904' as the year of publication, the publisher name 'The Century Company', and check for the absence of later printings or additional dates. These can indicate a first edition.