Full Title:

Lud-In-The-Mist

Publication:

New York Alfred A. Knopf, 1927

Binding:

Crown octavo, 7⅝ in. x 5¼ in.; top edge trimmed, otherwise untrimmed; quarter bound with green cloth spine; decorated paper boards in white, black, grey, and green; white paper label on spine. Spine: [row of six devices] [rule] [in italic] Lud-In- | The-Mist | [rule] | HOPE MIRRLEES | [rule] [row of six devices] (see image above).

Both of my copies are in this binding. I have seen an advertisement for a copy with different paper covering the boards - white, grey and violet in a zig-zag pattern. See the image near left on the top row - shamelessly copied from the internet.

Notes:

I think that, out of all the jackets in my library, the dust jacket on this book is my favorite. The lovely art deco artwork is by Frank McIntosh (1901-1985). He was only twenty-seven when he executed this jacket, so this was relatively early in his career. An internet search showed me that he was doing quite a few dust jackets at this time, several of which were for Knopf. Of the ones I seen, this is the best, and is the one that most resembles his later work - he is best known as an art deco orientalist. His extensive series of covers for Asia Magazine are usually considered his finest work. Many of these are still in print, and the images have been reproduced on everything from posters to coffee cups. Some of his paintings have sold in six figures - I wonder if the original artwork for this jacket has survived?