1910 Scarce 1stED -The Green Mouse by R. W. Chambers Illustrated by E. Frederick
Author: Robert W. Chambers. Illustrated by Edmund Frederick.
Title: The Green Mouse.
Publisher: New York and London, D. Appleton and Company, 1910 (first edition, first printing with "(1)" at the base of page 281).
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 5 inches.
Pages: xiii, 281 pages + publisher's catalogue.
Binding: Very good, near fine original publisher’s green illustrated cloth binding, featuring a charming Art Nouveau design with a mermaid vignette on the front cover (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing - as shown, small ink stamp of a previous owner on the last endpaper - as shown). A well-preserved copy overall.
Illustrations: Complete with six full-page color illustrations by Edmund Frederick, along with numerous black-and-white vignettes throughout the text.
Estimate: (Scarce - USD 200 – 400)
The book: The Green Mouse is a light yet engaging romantic novel set against a backdrop of seaside leisure and early 20th-century society. The story follows a spirited young woman whose independence, charm, and unconventional behavior unsettle and intrigue those around her, leading to a subtle interplay of romance, humor, and social observation. Chambers blends wit and sentiment with ease, creating a narrative that is both graceful and quietly playful. The vivid color plates by Edmund Frederick, paired with delicate in-text illustrations, beautifully complement the tone of the story and enhance its period charm.
The author: Robert W. Chambers (1865–1933) was an American novelist and artist, widely popular in his time for his romantic fiction. Though best remembered today for The King in Yellow, a landmark work in weird fiction, Chambers enjoyed immense commercial success with his society novels, which often explored themes of love, manners, and modern life with elegance and accessibility.
The illustrator: Edmund Frederick was an early 20th-century illustrator known for his refined and atmospheric color plates. His work often captures moments of intimacy and quiet emotion, rendered with softness and clarity. In The Green Mouse, his illustrations bring a subtle vitality to Chambers’ narrative, enhancing both its romantic and visual appeal.