R.v.R. The Life and Times of Rembrandt van Rijn
New York: The Literary Guild, 1930. Small quarto, chocolate-brown cloth, spine and cover embossed with gilt and green lettering, xxvi, 570 pp., endpapers illustrated with brown and white maps, frontispiece, illustrated with 23 black-and-white plates. Spine ends bumped and rubbed, tail edges of covers a little bumped and rubbed, front paste-down endpaper has a split running down the top third of the spine however binding is holding firm, very light browning of leaves throughout as is common to publications of the period, some wear along top end tail edges of dust-jacket, some tears in the top spine end of dust-jacket without loss of text; otherwise a very good copy with clean leaves. First edition, scarce.
This thoroughly engaging biography of Rembrandt is told by Dutch-American historian, journalist, illustrator and prolific author Hendrik van Loon. Van Loon was known for writing books that made history accessible, particularly for younger readers. However his excellent writing, often laced with humour and creative elements, is equally appealing to adults.
Here, van Loon "presents" the diary of Joannis van Loon, purportedly Rembrandt's physician and friend, who happens to be Hendrik's "great-great-grandfather, nine times removed". By speaking through this character, Hendrik brings the world of Rembrandt and his era vividly alive, recounting true events with inventive detail.
This handsome 1930 first edition features illustrations throughout, and a pleasing green, orange, brown and cream cover influenced by the Art Deco style of the time. Item #4984
Price (AUD): $400.00