This beautiful chromolithograph is of an “Galago and Aye-Aye” from the book Five Hundred Fascinating Animal Stories published in 1907 by Louis Klopsch of the Christian Herald, New York. It was arranged and edited by Alfred Henry Miles (1848 – 1929) and states it is “Illustrating the Nature, Habits, Manners and Customs of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, Insects, Etc., Etc., Etc.”
Alfred Henry Miles was a prolific Victorian-age author, editor, anthologist, journalist, composer and lecturer who published hundreds of works on a wide range of topics, ranging from poetry (The Poets and the Poetry of the Century, 10 vols. (London: Hutchinson, 1891)), warfare (Wars of the Olden Times, Abraham to Cromwell) to household encyclopaedias with information for every conceivable contingency (The Household Oracle : A Popular Referee on Subjects of Household Enquiry), and even advice to the lovelorn (Wooing: Stories of the Course that Never Did Run Smooth by R. E. Francillon and others). He was editor of The Fifty-two Library, a series of children's adventure stories published by Hutchinson & Co., London in the nineteenth century. He compiled some fifty volumes that appeared at five shillings apiece and of course, this wonderful volume of animal lore.
There is uniform yellowing of this page with slight darkening at the page edge. The paper quality is of a high grade with a glossy front, which was excellent for a book from early in the last century. The actual images are also typical of the printing process available at that time and what you would expect of a print that is over 100 years old. The rough edge from the binding has been removed but that is the only "altering" that has taken place (the interior edge is trimmed). Prints are carefully mounted on mats to simplify framing after purchase and to protect the print during display or shipment. All mat materials are acid and lignin free, the actual print is not archival safe. The original book measured approximately 5 x 8” but the book plate is being sold custom matted to fit in a standard 8x10 frame.
Antique book illustrations are always the perfect decorating choice for any room in your home or office. They also make great gifts for a birthday, baby shower, housewarming, holiday, or for that special someone, as they are always beautiful, unique and unusual. Browse our store for other antique prints in this series to complete a matching wall grouping or for other areas of interest.
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