FLOWERS of the RAINBOW by DON BLANDING Beautiful 1926 HAWAII~7 Color Plates~FINE

Description

FLOWERS OF THE RAINBOW
Don Blanding
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Copyright 1926 by
Don Blanding and Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Published by Star-Bulletin
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Semi-soft bound in Near Fine condition, 59 pages includes a TABLE of CONTENTS, a two page glossary of  “STRAY PETALS FROM FLOWERS OF THE RAINBOW” plus Photographs by Williams Studio, Night Blooming Cereus photograph by Webster D. Smith and Five decorative headings by A.S. MacLeod, measures approximately 8” x 11, no dust jacket.
The soft wraps are composed of a card weight cover with a stiff backing for reinforcement.  They are actually quite firm and extend approximately 3/16” past the page edges.  Although this manor of soft binding affords excellent protection to the interior contents, the outside cover edges are highly susceptible to damage.  This particular copy has very light wear not being tattered like so many.  The surfaces are clean and complete with a bump noted to the upper spine.  The book has been fitted with a
Protective Jacket
of 5 ml. clear Mylar to provide protection to these surfaces in the future.
The contents are clean and tight, tan end papers reveal a previous owner name and date, “February 1927” written on the fly page.  The bump to the upper spine is visible but otherwise, the stock is glassine, quite flawless, free of apparent age toning or any marks, creases or tears.
FLOWERS OF THE RAINBOW is a large format book filled with Mr. Blanding’s appreciations and tributes to the flora of the Hawaiian Islands.   The author has utilized well the generous pages to produce many illustrations of impressive size.  In addition to his standard b/w woodcuts, we are treated to Seven (7) full page color florals, plus a number of b/w pieces which incorporate different shades of gray toning.  Complimented of course, by a host of poetic tributes,  FLOWERS of the RAINBOW is a lovely keepsake.
As one wanders in an Hawaiian garden idly plucking the flowers here and there, loving the color of one, delighting in the fragrance of another, so have I strolled in the rainbow garden of my memories of Hawaii and made a bouquet which I call “Flowers of the Rainbow.”
- Don Blanding
Certainly, FLOWERS OF THE RAINBOW is Mr. Blanding’s most illusive publication.  A large format presentation that included Seven full page colored woodcuts set this offering apart from his earlier, more conservative endeavors.  Perhaps the significantly increased cost of a color publication coupled with the competition of his own more economically appealing editions of LEAVES FROM A GRASS HOUSE and PARADISE LOOT, compromised the success of this grand effort and it did not again go to press.
“ Three kinds of ginger grace my yard: the white, the wax, the red;
And phlox make gaudy pattern like and Oriental spread;
My ferns are screens of filagree to mask the cool lanai;
An orchid spreads its petals like a purple butterfly;
Ixoras nod with pom-poms such as airy Pierrots wear;”
-
excerpt from DB’s "GARDEN”
A cornucopia of colorful Word and Floral pictures, truly this copy of FLOWERS OF THE RAINBOW,
in exceptional condition would be a rare and cherished addition to any Don Blanding collection.
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E Komo Mai
(Welcome)
Mandarin Books Hawaii
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