Books

New York: The Century Co, 1904. First Edition, First Printing. Cloth. Near fine. The first edition of Italian Villas and Their Gardens by Edith Wharton, with exceptional gilt decor on the covers.. Quarto, xii, 270pp. Publisher's full green cloth, ornately decorated with gilt and colored floral illustrations. Gilt is exceptionally bright, both along spine and front cover. Stated "Published November, 1904" on copyright page with no additional printings listed. Lightly bumped corners, touch of wear to cloth, a near fine example. Complete with fifty-two illustrations, including a mix of color plates with captioned tissue guards, black and white plates with captioned tissue guards, and in-text illustrations. Born on January 24, 1862, into a wealthy New York family, Edith Wharton became a distinguished American novelist and short story writer. Breaking free from the societal norms of her privileged upbringing, Wharton explored the complexities of class, marriage, and morality in the…

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.