Wild Flowers by Homer D. House (Third Printing, Illustrated), 1936 🌸📜🖼️

1. Introduction 📜🔍

This is a remarkable third printing of Wild Flowers, a monumental work of American botany and illustration by Homer D. House. Published in 1936, this book is not merely a botanical guide; it is a stunning piece of scientific and artistic history. With its 364 full-color illustrations, this volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of scientific works, botanical art, or Americana.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Wild Flowers is a comprehensive guide to the wildflowers of the United States. The book is renowned for its meticulous detail and its stunning illustrations, which were created from photographs by the author himself. Each entry includes a description of the plant, its habitat, and its unique characteristics. The book’s power lies in its ability to combine scientific rigor with artistic beauty, making it both a valuable resource for botanists and a cherished work of art for nature lovers.

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

Dr. Homer D. House (1878-1949) was a noted American botanist, a professor at Cornell University, and the state botanist of New York. A prolific scientist, his work was instrumental in documenting the flora of the United States. He was a master of botanical illustration and his work, which was often created from his own photographs, was praised for its accuracy and its aesthetic beauty. His legacy is in his dedication to documenting the natural world and his ability to make science accessible to a wide audience.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1936, this book is a "time capsule" of the American Great Depression. The book's focus on the natural world and its inherent beauty provided a sense of solace and escape for readers in a time of immense economic hardship. The book’s publication by the Macmillan Company, a major American publisher, reflects a period of immense public interest in nature and a growing desire for a connection to the natural world.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of scientific works, a scholar of botanical art, or a private collector of illustrated books. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's historical significance and its status as a document of a specific scientific and artistic movement. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of science, art, and the history of ideas.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a third printing of a popular work, this book is not rare in a traditional sense. However, a well-preserved copy with its stunning 364 full-color illustrations is a desirable asset. The value is a direct reflection of the book's enduring cultural and scientific influence and its physical integrity. The price reflects its status as a sound, collectible copy of a key work of Americana.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is in good vintage condition. The hardcover is in a solid state, with a tight binding and clean pages. The covers show some rubbing and shelf wear, which is expected for a book of this age. The spine is slightly faded but is in good shape. The pages are clean, and the illustrations are bright and vibrant. The overall condition is an honest and transparent portrayal of a well-cared-for volume that was likely a cherished part of a home library.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains no inscriptions or unique markings. The value is derived from its well-preserved state and its status as a key work of botanical illustration.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The original 1918 first edition of this book, which was a massive undertaking, was one of the most expensive books ever published by the publisher at the time.

• The book was so popular that it was reprinted numerous times and was a staple of libraries across the country.

• The book's illustrations were praised by critics for their accuracy and their ability to capture the unique beauty of each wildflower.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Wild Flowers

• Author/Maker: Homer D. House

• Year: 1936

• Publisher/Foundry: The Macmillan Company

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Illustrated

• Edition: Third Printing

• Rarity: Rare