Antique & Vintage Book Vignette with Ornate Brass Holder - Set of 5

A beautifully collected set of five antique and vintage books in wonderfully timeworn shades of olive, moss and deep library green, presented together in an ornate brass-tone book holder and finished with a softly frayed green ribbon. Designed to be displayed exactly as shown, this is one of those rare little objects that creates an entire vignette in a single piece.

The collection includes several recognizable literary titles, among them Reveries of a Bachelor and Dream Life by Ik Marvel, the pen name of 19th-century American author Donald Grant Mitchell; The Golden Book of Coleridge by Samuel Taylor Coleridge; and The Vintage Mencken, a collection of writings by H.L. Mencken gathered by Alistair Cooke. The fifth volume is included primarily for its wonderfully aged binding, scale and contribution to the overall composition.

Each book brings its own variation in faded cloth, gilt lettering, worn edges and beautifully imperfect patina. Together they sit within an elaborate pierced metal holder embellished with raised floral and scrolling ornament and petite feet. The intentionally relaxed green ribbon adds one final layer of texture and gives the entire grouping the feeling of something assembled over generations rather than newly styled.

CONDITION
Very good antique and vintage decorative condition with age-appropriate wear throughout. Books show expected fading, rubbing, worn cloth, edge wear, discoloration and other evidence of age. Metal holder retains an aged patina. Ribbon is intentionally frayed and relaxed in appearance. Please review photographs closely as the books are being sold together as a decorative collection rather than individually graded collectible volumes.

SIZE
Approximately 5"L x 5"W x 7.5"H overall.

PROVENANCE
Collected antique and vintage American and English literary volumes spanning the late 19th through mid-20th centuries.

MAKER
Various publishers, including editions associated with Charles Scribner's Sons, J.M. Dent / E.P. Dutton and Vintage Books. Ornate metal holder is unmarked.

MATERIAL
Antique and vintage cloth-bound books, gilt lettering, brass-tone metal and textile ribbon.

STYLING SUGGESTIONS
Absolutely made for a library, gentleman's study, console table or layered bookcase. Style it beside blue-and-white porcelain, equestrian photography, old silver, a brass lamp or a small arrangement of clipped greenery. We especially love it tucked into a Ralph Lauren-inspired interior where the worn green bindings and aged metal can do exactly what old things do best—make everything around them look more collected.