Days Off, And Other Digressions, by Henry Van Dyke, (RARE, First Edition, Illustrated, with Multiple Inscriptions), 1907 📜✍️🏛️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare antique volume, a First Edition, early printing of "Days Off, And Other Digressions" by the esteemed American author, educator, and clergyman Henry Van Dyke.

Published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in New York in 1907, this collection of insightful essays and reflections is a tangible link to a bygone era of American literary history. 

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Days Off, and Other Digressions captures Van Dyke's deep appreciation for nature, simple pleasures, and profound observations on life.

His lyrical prose invites readers to pause and savor the beauty of the natural world, the value of leisure, and the importance of finding joy in everyday moments. He gently explores themes of contentment, tranquility, and the restorative power of taking time away from modern demands. The book is enhanced with illustrations that bring his essays to life.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) was a prolific American writer whose works often reflected his deep connection to nature and his spiritual beliefs.

A professor of English literature at Princeton University and later U.S. Minister to the Netherlands and Luxembourg, he was a thoughtful and eloquent voice in American letters.

He is also known for writing the hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee". The book is dedicated to Grover Cleveland, a former U.S. President, who was a friend and neighbor of Van Dyke's.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1907, this book belongs to the early 20th century, a period of rapid social and cultural change in the United States.

As Americans were grappling with the demands of a modernizing world, Van Dyke's essays provided a welcome respite, advocating for the value of leisure and a connection to nature. 

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This 1907 printing of "Days Off, And Other Digressions" is a core acquisition for a collector building a focused library on American social history and the early 20th century.

 It is a perfect fit for a literary historian who appreciates the intersection of an esteemed author's work with a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist's work. This book speaks directly to an individual who values a work not just for its physical rarity but for its intellectual, cultural, and historical importance.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1907 First Edition, early printing is a genuinely scarce asset and is a prime example of a true first printing from a major publisher. Its value is overwhelmingly driven by its status as a collector's item and its fascinating decorative cover.

The beautifully decorated cloth binding with intricate gilt and green/white floral designs is a stunning example of early 20th-century decorative book art. This non-replicable asset holds value that far exceeds a standard reprint.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with a cherished book from the early 20th century.

• Binding: The binding shows visible wear, including rubbing, scuffing, and some loss of the original finish, particularly on the spine and edges.

• Gilt Stamping: The gilt and colored stamping show some fading but remain largely discernible.

• Pages: The pages show foxing and some discoloration consistent with age, but the text and illustrations are clear.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Henry Van Dyke was a friend and neighbor of Grover Cleveland, a former U.S. President.

• The book is dedicated to Grover Cleveland.

• The multiple, layered inscriptions, "Phil from Martin," and "Uncle Philip Richardson from Uncle Martin & Doreen," offer a captivating glimpse into the book's cherished history as a personal gift.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Days Off, And Other Digressions

• Author/Maker: Henry Van Dyke

• Year: 1907

• Publisher/Foundry: Charles Scribner’s Sons

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Dedication: To Grover Cleveland

• Format/Binding: Hardcover with a pictorial cloth binding

• Edition: First Edition, early printing

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: The multiple inscriptions read: “Phil from Martin,” and “Uncle Philip Richardson from Uncle Martin & Doreen”.