Antique 1899 Sesame and Lilies book by John Ruskin. This is a Henry Altemus edition with a stunning floral, light blue, pink, red, and gold designed cover and spine.
John Ruskin was a prolific English art critic and historian, poet, and writer. The small book Sesame and Lilies is one of his 250 works and is a written transcript of 3 lectures by Ruskin including Of Kings' Treasuries, Of Queens' Gardens, and Of the Mystery of Life.
Book lovers will appreciate the first lecture, in which Ruskin urges his audience to read the best books. He makes a distinction between "books of the hour" and books for all time. In his own words: "Life is short....have you measured and mapped out this short life and its possibilities? Do you know, if you read this, that you cannot read that; that what you lose to-day you cannot gain to-morrow? Will you go and gossip with your housemaid or your stable-boy, when you may talk with queens and kings?"
There is some wear and discoloration on the cover, spine, and pages due to age, but all pages are in tact. Book measures about 6.5" x 4.2". Please note that photos may appear brighter than actual book.
