1921 First Edition Lafayette—Frank E. Schoonover Illustrated Revolutionary War Biography
An original 1921 first edition of Lucy Foster Madison’s Lafayette, an illustrated biography of the celebrated French aristocrat who became one of America’s greatest Revolutionary War allies.
Published in Philadelphia by the Penn Publishing Company, the volume was illustrated by renowned American artist Frank E. Schoonover, a student of Howard Pyle and an important member of the Brandywine school of illustration.
Madison’s narrative follows Lafayette from his youth in France through his voyage to America, his service under George Washington, the winter at Valley Forge, his Revolutionary War campaigns, his celebrated friendship with Washington, and his later imprisonment in Europe.
The book was handsomely produced with a color pictorial cover, illustrated endpapers depicting Lafayette’s French home at Château de la Grange-Bléneau, a color frontispiece, and seven additional full-page illustrations. Schoonover created large oil paintings specifically for the publication, including scenes of Lafayette with Washington, his voyage aboard La Victoire, and his imprisonment in Europe.
The front endpaper contains a manuscript inscription recording its presentation as a 1922 Montgomery School scholarship prize to Henry W. Thomson, giving the volume additional period character and educational provenance.
Bibliographical details: Lucy Foster Madison, Lafayette. Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, 1921. First edition. Illustrated by Frank E. Schoonover.
Condition: Original dark blue pictorial cloth with gilt lettering and mounted color cover illustration. The cover remains attractive, with moderate rubbing, corner wear, and fraying at the spine ends. The front board and illustrated endpaper are substantially separated from the text block, leaving the inner hinge exposed and requiring repair. Scattered to moderate foxing, particularly on the endpapers and preliminary leaves. Contemporary school-prize inscription and additional writing on the front endpaper. No dust jacket or box. Offered as an unrestored first edition with significant binding wear.
An original 1921 first edition of Lucy Foster Madison’s Lafayette, an illustrated biography of the celebrated French aristocrat who became one of America’s greatest Revolutionary War allies.
Published in Philadelphia by the Penn Publishing Company, the volume was illustrated by renowned American artist Frank E. Schoonover, a student of Howard Pyle and an important member of the Brandywine school of illustration.
Madison’s narrative follows Lafayette from his youth in France through his voyage to America, his service under George Washington, the winter at Valley Forge, his Revolutionary War campaigns, his celebrated friendship with Washington, and his later imprisonment in Europe.
The book was handsomely produced with a color pictorial cover, illustrated endpapers depicting Lafayette’s French home at Château de la Grange-Bléneau, a color frontispiece, and seven additional full-page illustrations. Schoonover created large oil paintings specifically for the publication, including scenes of Lafayette with Washington, his voyage aboard La Victoire, and his imprisonment in Europe.
The front endpaper contains a manuscript inscription recording its presentation as a 1922 Montgomery School scholarship prize to Henry W. Thomson, giving the volume additional period character and educational provenance.
Bibliographical details: Lucy Foster Madison, Lafayette. Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, 1921. First edition. Illustrated by Frank E. Schoonover.
Condition: Original dark blue pictorial cloth with gilt lettering and mounted color cover illustration. The cover remains attractive, with moderate rubbing, corner wear, and fraying at the spine ends. The front board and illustrated endpaper are substantially separated from the text block, leaving the inner hinge exposed and requiring repair. Scattered to moderate foxing, particularly on the endpapers and preliminary leaves. Contemporary school-prize inscription and additional writing on the front endpaper. No dust jacket or box. Offered as an unrestored first edition with significant binding wear.
