Interesting Neighbors (signed)
Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1922. Fist edition. Hardcover. Inscribed in the year of publication on the front free endpaper: "Mrs. Anna Jenkins Dennis, from Oliver P. Jenkins, Stanford University, Calif., Feb. 16 1922." We imagine this is a family association copy, but can't say for sure. Uncommon signed. Oliver Peeble Jenkins earned his doctorate under ichthyologist David Starr Jordan in Indiana and then followed him to Stanford University to become one its first faculty members. He became the head of the department of Physiology and Histology at the Hopkins Marine Station and wrote books on fish and more. Interesting Neighbors is an early book of nature education. From the preface: "Despite the efforts of those who have great faith in the educational value of a knowledge of nature, there still remains much to be accomplished. Consequently, no one need apologize for the honest attempt, no matter how humble, to bring young children in contact with the wholesome intellectual stimulus and satisfying knowledge that comes from an acquaintance with the wonders of out of door life." What follows are very detailed descriptions of animal and plant lie, large and especially small, some of them starting out as short stories involving children but quickly becoming pure natural history. The first chapter, "The Magic House," is about oak galls, and the book has a California thrust, it seems, with a late chapter for example on "Bird Life on the Stanford Campus." Wonderfully illustrated by W.S. Atkinson. Small octavo in brown cloth. A very good copy with sharp corners, a few spots to cloth, a small ripple on the front pastedown and a few ripples on the front free endpaper that continue through opening pages. Hinges starting, but sound. No jacket. A handsome book that feels good in the hand (designed for small hands). Very good. Item #1608
Price: $375.00 save 5% $356.25