Early 20th Century Childrens Book Appraisal

Among the Farm-Yard People by Clara D. Pierson

This item is an antique hardcover book titled "Among the Farm-Yard People" by Clara D. Pierson. The book features a decorative cloth binding, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century, given its aesthetic and the prevalent publishing styles of the era. The cover design is particularly notable, showcasing a stylized peacock at the top with its tail feathers fanned out, rendered in shades of teal blue and what appears to be metallic gold or brass ink against a vertically striped, muted green or olive background. Below the peacock, the title "AMONG THE FARM-YARD PEOPLE" is presented on a banner, also in gold/brass, with the author's name, "CLARA D. PIERSON," appearing beneath it. The lower section of the cover depicts two farm animals: a pig on the left and a ram, distinguished by its curled horns, on the right. These animals are also outlined in gold/brass and filled in with a light brown color, facing each other with a central motif resembling sunflowers on stalks between them, again utilizing the teal and gold/brass color palette. The overall impression of the cover art suggests an Art Nouveau influence in its organic lines and decorative elements. The book exhibits significant signs of wear consistent with its age. The spine is particularly damaged, with large sections of the binding material torn and missing, exposing the underlying pages or boards. The edges of the cover are scuffed and worn, especially at the corners, and there are visible stains and discoloration throughout the cover material, indicating accumulation of dirt and moisture over time. The overall construction appears to be a traditional cloth-bound book, possibly with internal stitching or glue now compromised. The visible condition issues clearly impact the book's aesthetic and structural integrity, suggesting it would be categorized as 'fair' to 'poor' condition for an antique book, primarily for display or restoration rather than immediate reading without further damage. The craftsmanship of the cover design, however, speaks to a period when books were often produced with artistic bindings to enhance their appeal.