(BELGIUM, HISTORY, WORLD WAR I - NATIONAL TRIBUTE BOOK). HALL CAIN, [SIR THOMAS HENRY], EditorBiblio.com
KING ALBERT'S BOOK: A TRIBUTE TO THE BELGIAN KING AND PEOPLE FROM REPRESENTATIVE MEN AND WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
1915ST20854New York: Hearst's International Library Co 1915. First American Edition. 280 x 215 mm. 11 x 8 1/2". 187 1 pp. <br/> HANDSOME DARK BLUE MOROCCO GILT covers framed by decorative roll and multiple gilt rules floral spray cornerpieces raised bands spine compartments with central floral spray within a delicate frame gilt lettering PICTORIAL DOUBLURES using plates from the book Arthur Rackham's "Unconquerable" at front; Waterlow's "Harvest Moon" at rear each picture with gilt tooling at edge within a wide frame of red and dark blue morocco tooled in gilt blue morocco hinges ivory watered silk free endleaves all edges gilt. WITH 25 PLATES consisting of a photographic frontispiece portrait of King Albert 14 color plates mounted on heavy stock and 10 black & white plates printed on glossy stock almost all of these with original tissue guards. Just the faintest hint of shelf wear one color plate with minor tear but still a fine and handsome copy--clean and fresh internally in a lustrous decorative binding.<br/> <br/> This sumptuously illustrated publication celebrating Belgium and its King Albert I is offered here in a lovely contemporary binding. Assembled in the early days of the First World War this publication aimed to raise broader awareness and support for the plight of the Belgians at the hands of the Kaiser's armies as well as honoring the nation's bravery. Novelist Hall Cain 1853-1931 who edited the anthology wrote in the introduction that "Belgium has fought not only her own battle but also the battle of France the battle of Great Britain and the battle of Freedom. By her brave stand against incalculable odds she has added a new and inspiring chapter to the heroic annals of humanity and perhaps lifted to a higher level the future destinies of man." Following the 1914 British edition by only a few months our American printing includes a note that the publisher's proceeds are to be donated to the Belgian Fund. "King Albert's Book" includes text music and illustrations by nearly 240 contributors including religious leaders Aga Khan the Archbishop of Canterbury politicians William Howard Taft Winston Churchill authors Rudyard Kipling Baroness Orczy scientists Guglielmo Marconi Flinders Petrie composers Claude Debussy Camille Saint-Saëns and of course artists: the plates include works by Arthur Rackham Charles Dana Gibson Kay Nielsen Maxfield Parrish Edmund Dulac and others. Two of these plates by Rackham and Sir Ernest Albert Waterlow have been mounted as doublures in the present copy. The luxury binding though unsigned was evidently the work of a very skilled artisan. The quality of the finishing is excellent and the design is harmonious though sufficiently restrained to be respectful of the subject matter. Hearst's International Library Co unknown
