Landscape Design Book Appraisal

How to Lay Out a Garden: A General Guide by Edward Kemp

This item is an antique or vintage bound book, specifically the title page of 'How to Lay Out a Garden: A General Guide in Choosing, Forming, or Improving an Estate with reference to both Design and Execution' by Edward Kemp. The physical characteristics visible include off-white, aged paper, suggesting natural oxidation over time. The paper appears relatively thick and sturdy, indicative of quality book production from its era. The text is printed in black ink, featuring various font sizes and styles, including serif fonts for the main title and body text, and a more decorative, possibly calligraphic, font for the sub-heading 'A General Guide'. There are no significant tears, creases, or major stains visible on this page, indicating a relatively well-preserved condition for its age. The edges of the page appear clean, though a slight natural curl or undulation can be seen, consistent with paper in bound books. The binding edge is visible on the left, showing the page is firmly attached within the book's structure. Manufacturing details are clearly printed: it is a 'Third Edition, Second Thousand,' published in 'New York' by 'John Wiley & Son' at '43 & 45 East Nineteenth St.,' and the publication year is '1901'. This places the book firmly within the early 20th-century aesthetic and publishing standards, making it an antique or vintage item. The 'Second London Edition' is also mentioned, indicating it followed an earlier British publication. The visible lack of significant wear or egregious damage suggests it has been handled with care. The quality of typesetting and paper points to a reputable publisher of the time. A poetic quote is included on the page, often found in older publications to set the tone or offer an epigraph.