THE GOLDEN AGE OF GIFT BOOKS

Kingsley, Florence Morse (1859–1934)

The Transfiguration of Miss Philura [Women’s Religious Fiction, Edwardian Gift Book]

New York and London: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1911, Illustrated Edition, Hardcover with presentation box.
A BOOK DESIGNED TO BE GIVEN, KEPT, AND BELIEVED IN!
A pristine 1911 presentation edition of Florence Morse Kingsley's enduring novel, preserved in its original box with the rare glassine wrapper. This deluxe Edwardian gift book pairs a narrative of spiritual renewal with luminous color plates by Ethel Pennewill Brown.

Key Features:
+++ Visuals: Bound in decorative green cloth with elaborate gilt floral stamping and a paste-down title panel. The interior features four full-page color plates by Ethel Pennewill Brown with captioned tissue guards, plus pale green floral borders surrounding the text on every page.
+++ Content: A presentation edition of Kingsley's story about Miss Philura Rice, a devout woman whose life changes through spiritual transformation. The narrative emphasizes faith, patience, and optimism within a small-town setting.
+++ Production: Published by Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York and London. Illustrations by Ethel Pennewill Brown.

Physical Specs:
+++ Date: Published October 1911
+++ Dimensions: Octavo Box is 8.75 inches tall 76 pages.
+++ Format: Hardcover in Publisher's Decorated Cardboard Box

Condition Report:
Fine Book in Very Good Box -- The volume itself is in exceptional, gift-quality condition with tight square bindings and bright, clean text. No flaws or blemishes noted to the book. The original glassine wrapper is present and intact. The publisher's box remains sturdy but shows light hand-soiling consistent with age and one split corner on the bottom lid.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
Florence Morse Kingsley was a defining voice in early twentieth-century American religious fiction, writing stories that bridged the gap between strict doctrine and the emerging 'New Thought' movement's optimism.

This 1911 illustrated edition represents the height of the Edwardian 'gift book' market, a period when publishers transformed popular texts into decorative objects for ceremonial giving. Unlike standard trade editions, this volume was designed to be displayed and cherished, evidenced by the elaborate gilt tooling and painterly illustrations by Ethel Pennewill Brown.

The presence of the original box and glassine wrapper is scarce, offering collectors a complete view of how high-end fiction was marketed and preserved over a century ago.

Keywords: Florence Morse Kingsley, The Transfiguration of Miss Philura, 1911 Gift Books, Edwardian Bindings, Decorative Cloth, Ethel Pennewill Brown, Women's Religious Fiction, Protestant Literature, New Thought Movement, Funk & Wagnalls.

Bibliographic Ref:  Funk & Wagnalls publisher catalogs, ca. 1911

Item #21452

Price: $125.00