AUTOGRAPH ALBUM

No place or date.: No Publisher., (1882). A slim oblong 48 mo., measuring 2.5 " by 4 ", bound in smooth black calf with rounded corners. iv, 68 pp. The upper cover has the word "Album" written in gilt decorative cursive script, surrounded by a delicate border of gilt foliage linking copper flowers. The spine is embellished with gilt ivy leaves and a single flower. The lower cover has an elaborate decorative motif stamped in blind. All edges gilt. Six delicate color illustrations by Kate Greenaway, including title page bearing only the word "ALBUM", with each letter of the word printed on a banner carried by five charming little girls. There are several contemporary inscriptions, all in neat hands, the earliest dated 1882, all from the New England area. Some scuffing to the spine, corners rubbed, else a lovely bright copy of the First Edition. The leather edition is difficult to come by, particularly in this condition. (Variant of Schuster and Engen # 465..with this copy smaller than the one listed, with fewer pages and the calf black, rather than blue.)