Influenced by Beardsley
The Romance of Zion Chapel
The Romance of Zion Chapel by Richard Le Gallienne (John Lane, The Bodley Head, London and New York, 1898). This outstanding artwork by Will H. Bradley could be equated favourably to the drawings of celebrated English artist Aubrey Beardsley (1872-98). But here they have the added attraction of a glowing gold-leaf effect. The quirky kind of typeface is very much of the times, also.
Poets
John Milton
Poets are widely represented in books of this era. They were sometimes issued in collections of several volumes or intended as gift sets. The Minor Poems of John Milton (George Bell & Sons, 1898 - design by Alfred Garth Jones) has a seriously sombre look that sets the tone for what is inside. I love the sturdy-looking 'M' in the typeface, which is unusual, almost architectural. A book which has the weight of history upon its shoulders.
Whodunits
The Romance of Zion Chapel
From a prolific author of the early part of the 20th Century. The Clue by Carolyn Wells (A.L. Burt Company, New York, 1909 - design by Frances Rogers) is an early example of the 'whodunit' genre. What a celebration of colour!
Conclusion
From the Victorian, art nouveau and later Art Deco golden ages of publishing, book covers were not only beautifully designed but were, in many respects, works of art in their own right. They opened up a world of possibilities for their readers just by holding them in their hands. They got them guessing. They exercised the imagination and took the viewer on a journey every bit as intriguing as the content itself.