Bibliophilia: Child Stories

I make no secret that I love Kipling. So it shouldn't surprise my readers I have a collection of antique Kipling books. I don't usually read them, but as you'll see, they are beautiful, not just space-fillers on my shelf. 

And I love gilding on books. So luxurious. 

This collection, published in 1899, contains some of Kipling's tales intended for children, or at least about children, but not the very familiar Jungle Book. 

When was the last time you saw a publisher's name so casual like that? Who knew Grosset Books was run by an Alex? 

I found it fascinating that this seems to be unfinished. If not, it's an interesting artistic choice. 

Speaking of art, how is that for lovely, elegant, minimalist cover art? 

Speaking of art, there are a few illustrations in the book. They were glued in - doubtless by hand, in an age pre-automation - and one of them has disappeared, only a trace of glue remaining. The ones that are still extant are an interesting glimpse into the costumes of the era. 

The heavy paper has mostly escaped yellowing over the last 120 years, but there is some buckling as that soft fiber takes up humidity. 

Kipling's grasp of dialect might make for heavy reading for today's child!