Riley Love-Lyrics, by James Whitcomb Riley, (Illustrated, Decorative Binding), 1905 ❤️📜🌹

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a vintage edition of "Riley Love-Lyrics," a collection of poetry by James Whitcomb Riley. Published by The Bobbs-Merrill Company in 1905, this volume features illustrations by William B. Dyer and a decorative pictorial binding.

The book is a sound acquisition for any home library. Its aesthetic and sentimental value are enhanced by the inclusion of an original bookstore receipt and a newspaper cutout with a poem.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

"Riley Love-Lyrics" is an anthology of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, focusing on themes of love, romance, and nostalgia. The collection features his sentimental verses, which capture the essence of rural American life and its simple pleasures.

Riley's poetry, with its accessible language and tone, evokes a sense of familiarity. The book is a collection for readers who appreciate classic American verse.

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3. About the Author ✍️🏛️ James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916) was an American poet and author, known as the "Hoosier Poet" for his celebration of Indiana and Midwestern culture in his works. He became one of the most popular and best-selling poets of his time.

Riley's use of dialect poetry resonated with readers seeking a nostalgic connection to their roots. His ability to evoke a sense of warmth and simplicity in his writing earned him a dedicated following and solidified his place in American popular culture.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1905, this book belongs to the turn of the century, a period when gift books and beautifully bound anthologies of popular poets were in high demand. The book's decorative binding, illustrations, and thematic focus on love and nostalgia reflect the aesthetic and cultural values of its time.

The inclusion of an original bookstore receipt and a newspaper cutout adds a tangible layer of historical context, showing how these books were sold and used.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a collector of classic American poetry, a scholar of regional literature, or a private collector of decorative bindings. It is an item for an individual who values a book's literary and aesthetic appeal.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1905 edition of "Riley Love-Lyrics" is 120 years old. Its value is in its aesthetic appeal and its status as an illustrated collection of a popular poet's work. As a later printing, its value is not in its rarity.

The book’s decorative pictorial binding is a verifiable example of early 20th-century design. The included ephemera—a Lycett Stationers Baltimore stamp, an original receipt, and a newspaper cutout—add a unique and personal history to this copy.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

• Used hardcover edition with a decorative pictorial binding.

• The binding shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some discoloration to the boards.

• The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible.

• A bookstore stamp for "Lycett Stationers Baltimore" is on the back endpaper.

• The book also comes with a small paper receipt and a newspaper cutout.

• There are no personal inscriptions or markings.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Lycett Stationers was a prominent Baltimore-based stationer and bookseller, providing a tangible link to the book's history in Maryland.

• The Bobbs-Merrill Company was a major American publisher known for its popular fiction and poetry.

• The original receipt and newspaper cutout provide unique historical context for this specific copy, showing how books were purchased and collected.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Author: James Whitcomb Riley

• Publication Date: 1905

• Edition: Later Printing

• Publisher: The Bobbs-Merrill Company

• Place of Publication: Indianapolis

• Illustrator: William B. Dyer

• Format: Hardcover with decorative pictorial binding

• Genre: Poetry, Americana, Classic

• Notes: Bookstore stamp, original receipt, and a newspaper cutout.