The Money Moon: A Romance, Jeffery Farnol — Presentation Edition

Publication: London, Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd., [1914]

Formatting: 4to, pp. viii, 9–350.

Condition Report Good. The original green cloth binding remains structurally sound and reasonably tight, though it exhibits moderate shelf-wear, including bumping to the corners and rubbing along the extremities. The spine is somewhat sunned, with softening and minor fraying beginning at the head and tail, yet the gilt lettering and decorative motifs remain legible. The striking pictorial upper board, featuring the central portrait roundel and vibrant 'Moon' tooling, retains much of its original charm despite the gilt being slightly dulled. Internally, the text block is securely bound, but there is prominent, heavy foxing scattered throughout, most noticeable on the preliminary pages, endpapers, and the untrimmed, deckled fore-edges. The twenty-three colour plates by Edmund Blampied, including the frontispiece and title vignette, remain present and generally bright, protected by their original tissue guards, though some surrounding pages are affected by the aforementioned foxing. The volume is wrapped in a clear, removable protective sleeve.

Catalogue Note This Presentation Edition of Jeffery Farnol’s popular romance represents the first iteration to feature the beautiful and extensive colour illustrations by the acclaimed Channel Islands artist Edmund Blampied. Issued in the highly desirable "Moon binding," available at the time in crimson, green, or blue cloth, this being the attractive green variant, the edition boasts twenty-three full-page colour reproductions that perfectly capture the fragrant, idyllic nature of Farnol's Edwardian narrative.

Unsigned, un-inscribed copies of this true first illustrated presentation edition are somewhat uncommon on the open market, particularly in the original decorative cloth without modern rebinding. While this copy lacks the rare original dust jacket, the intricate board design remains a lovely example of early twentieth-century trade binding.

A delightful, sweeping Edwardian romance, The Money Moon follows the adventures of the wealthy and somewhat aimless American, George Bellew. Seeking solace and distraction from a broken heart, George sets out on a walking tour across the idyllic, sun-dappled countryside of Kent. Along the way, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters, most notably the spirited Anthea Devine, who is struggling to save her family's farm from financial ruin. Determined to help without revealing his wealth, George secretly orchestrates a series of events to provide the "money moon" needed to rescue the estate, leading to a charming tale of mistaken identity, bucolic escapades, and inevitable romance.