1886 Scarce Victorian Skelding Book ~ Familiar Birds and What the Poets Sing of Them, illustrated by Fidelia Bridges.
(Description)
Author: Fidelia Bridges, illustrator. Susie Barstow Skelding, editor.
Title: Familiar Birds and What the Poets Sing of Them.
Publisher: New York, White, Stokes, & Allen, 1886. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: Large 11.5" X 9.5".
Pages: 134 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original brown full-cloth binding with gilt decorations and illustrations of birds on the front cover and spine (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown). All edges are gilt.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with twelve wonderful chromolithographs by Fidelia Bridges, depicting various species of birds in their natural habitats. The illustrations are vivid and detailed!
Estimate: (USD 250 - USD 350).
The book: Attractive First Edition of Familiar Birds and What the Poets Sing of Them, a beautifully illustrated book that combines the natural beauty of birds with the poetic expressions they inspire. Edited by Susie Barstow Skelding, this volume features stunning chromolithographs by Fidelia Bridges, one of the most prominent female illustrators of the 19th century. Each illustration is accompanied by a selection of poetry that celebrates the depicted bird species, making this book a delightful blend of art and literature.
The editor: Susie Barstow Skelding (1857-1934) was an American editor and author known for her contributions to literature and natural history. She collaborated with many artists and writers of her time to produce works that combined artistic beauty with literary elegance. Skelding's keen editorial eye and appreciation for the arts are evident in Familiar Birds and What the Poets Sing of Them, where she masterfully blends visual and poetic elements to create a captivating book.
The illustrator: Fidelia Bridges (1834-1923) was an American artist known for her detailed and vibrant depictions of flowers, birds, and other natural subjects. Her work was highly celebrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and she was one of the first female artists to gain recognition in the field of chromolithography. Bridges' ability to capture the delicate beauty of nature made her illustrations highly sought after and cherished by collectors.