Browse Items (27 total)

George Palmer Putnam used this title page for the completed works in one volume of the 1853 edition of The Wide, Wide World. This title page features the name of the novel, author, and publisher. This edition used Susan Warner's pen name Elizabeth Wetherell.  It contains the epigraph:

"Here at the portal thou dost stand,

      And with thy little hand

Though openest the mysterious gate,

      Into the future's undiscovered land

      I see its valves expand,

As at the touch of FATE!

Into those realms of Love and Hate.

                                     LONGFELLOW."

This is the tail of George Palmer Putnam's 1853 Illustrated Edition of The Wide, Wide World. Note the gold leaf used on the pages.

This is the spine of the 1853 George P. Putnam Illustrated Edition, Vol. 1, Issue 1. The cover is made of brown leather and decorated with gold gilt, reading the book's title and the word "illustrated" all in capital letters.

This black and white illustration, appearing on page 82d of volume 1 of the 1853 G. P. Putnam & Company Illustrated Edition reprint, depicts Ellen and George Marshman on the steamboat as Ellen begins her journey to her Aunt Fortune's house. In the illustration, Ellen sits on a long bench with her hands in her lap, looking down sadly at the steamboat's deck. George Marshman stands nearby, looking down at her as he leans on a cane. Small waves rise in the water next to the steamboat and two men stand near the other end of the bench, appearing to have a conversation. Ellen's hat sits at her feet and a leather chair is placed behind the bench.

This black and white illustration, appearing on page 52c of volume 2 of the 1853 G. P. Putnam & Company "Deluxe Illustrated Edition" reprint, depicts Ellen in the woods with Mr. Van Brunt. In this illustration, Ellen sits on a rock near a tree, looking up at Mr. Van Brunt, who stands next to her. Mr. Van Brunt, wearing a brimmed hat and striped pants, clutches a walking stick to his chest as he looks down at Ellen. Ellen's hat sits near her feet and the ox cart can be seen in the background between Ellen and Mr. Van Brunt. The forest is dim and the trees appear somewhat twisted, bringing a sense of ominousness to the illustration.

This black and white illustration, appearing on page 250d of volume 2 of the 1853 G. P. Putnam & Company Illustrated Edition reprint, depicts Ellen looking out a window in Scotland, missing those at home. In the illustration, Ellen sits in a wooden chair and leans against a window sill as she looks out at the outline of a Scottish city that is situated on a distant hill. She smiles contemplatively as she rests her cheek on her hand.

This black and white illustration, appearing on page 236c of volume 1 of the 1853 G. P. Putnam & Company Illustrated Edition reprint, depicts Ellen and Alice in the snow storm as they try to make their way home after leaving Mrs. Vawse's. In the illustration, Alice wraps her arm around Ellen's shoulder and guides her as Ellen clings to Alice's cloak. Snow falls around them and the trees bend, creating a sense of movement and chaos in the illustration.