Rare Antique Religious Statue of Saint Joseph Holding Baby Jesus in His Arms This is an inspiring and compelling antique statue of Saint Joseph holding Baby Jesus in His arms. Their captivating faces are hand-painted with fine details. The colors are soft, mellow, and beautiful. At the base of the statue is the inscription, "S. Joseph". This piece is heavy and substantial and made of pottery with wonderful details throughout. The statue is in excellent original condition. Circa 1920’s.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Statue Measurements: Height - 13 ½’ Base - 4 ½” x 4 ½”
 

Pair Antique Inspirational Prints Guardian Angel Children & Jesus Light of the World Hearts Door / Artist: W Victor Guinness This is a lovely matching pair of antique inspirational prints. One of the prints is called, "Light of the World at Heart’s Door" by artist, W. Victor Guinness. The artist’s signature is at the bottom left of the print. The other print features the endearing and classic scene of a beautiful Guardian Angel protecting two small children (believed to be brother and sister) as they try to cross an old rickety wooden bridge during a bad storm. Both prints are in excellent original condition with bright vivid colors. Both decorative molded wood frames are matching and in excellent original condition. Both pieces have the original glass, paper backing, and wire hangers. Circa 1920’s.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Both Frames Measure: Height - 8 ¾” Width - 6 ¾”
 

“The Light of the World” Jesus Knocks on Heart’s Door - Lg Rare & Special Antique Religious Print / Artist: William Holman Hunt This beautiful antique print is a rare and enchanting interpretation of "The Light of the World" painted by the famous listed artist, William Holman Hunt. This print is full of interesting details! The face of Christ is very well done and full of emotion. Christ is depicted wearing a beautiful cape full of elaborate designs with the Crown of Thorns on His head. The print is done in soft sepia-tones with beautiful embellishments throughout. The background and foreground are lush with greenery, trees, vines, and of course, the handle-less wooden door. (known as Christ at Heart’s Door). The beautiful lantern Christ is holding is an intriguing detail. In the lower right of the print is the publisher’s name, "Campbell Prints Inc. N.Y.". This compelling antique print is in excellent original condition. The decorative molded wood frame is original to the print. The frame retains the original gold finish which shows a little wear. The glass, backing, and wire hanger are all original to the piece. The paper backing retains the original label from the Art Shop that originally sold the print. Circa 1920’s.

***I’VE INCLUDED BELOW A SHORT ARTICLE ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION AND MEANING BEHIND THE PAINTING, "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD":

The Light of the World, painted in circa 1853, is an allegorical painting by William Holman Hunt representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me". According to Hunt: "I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I was, to be by Divine command, and not simply as a good subject." The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore only be opened from the inside, representing "the obstinately shut mind". Hunt, 50 years after painting it, felt he had to explain the symbolism.

The original, painted at night in a makeshift hut at Worcester Park Farm in Surrey, is now in a side room off the large chapel at Keble College, Oxford. Toward the end of his life, Hunt painted a life-size version, which was hung in St Paul's Cathedral, London after a world tour where the picture drew large crowds.

This painting inspired much popular devotion in the late Victorian period and inspired several musical works, including Arthur Sullivan's 1873 oratorio The Light of the World.

- This informative article was cited from the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Light_of_the_World_(painting)

***HERE IS A SHORT BIO ON THE FAMOUS LISTED ARTIST, WILLIAM HOLMAN HUNT:

William Holman Hunt (b.1827 - d.1910) was a famous British artist and prominent member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His style is characterized by clear, hard colour, brilliant lighting, and careful delineation of detail.

In 1843 Hunt entered the Royal Academy schools where he met his lifelong friend, the painter John Everett Millais. Public opinion was at first hostile toward Hunt; but, in 1854 "The Light of the World" (Keble College, Oxford), an allegory of Christ knocking at the door of the human soul, was championed by John Ruskin and brought Hunt his first public success.

In 1854 Hunt went to the Holy Land to portray scenes from the life of Christ, aiming to achieve total historical and archaeological truth. He returned to Palestine in 1869 and again in 1873.

Throughout his life Hunt remained dedicated to Pre-Raphaelite concepts, as exemplified in such works as The Light of the World, The Scapegoat and The Shadow of Death.
Hunt died in Kensington, London on 7 September 1910.

"In total Holman Hunt made four journeys to the Holy Land, painting the landscape and religious scenes. His burning ambition was to find the actual locations where Biblical events happened, and then paint them. These paintings were generally well received and he became rich on the reproduction rights of his Palestine pictures.

"Holman Hunt had a limited degree of success in his lifetime, he never became an influential artist as he so desperately wanted; and never had any followers despite having a long working life. In his lifetime he became best known as a religious painter and made a very comfortable living from his religious works, which still contained the Pre-Raphaelite's elaborate symbolism. For his early works he took a lot of unfair criticism, so much so that he seriously considered emigrating abroad, but he was tough and strong-minded enough to carry on working in the style he wanted. In 1852 he applied for associate membership of the R.A. but was turned down. Proud man that he was, he never applied again."

- The above information is a compilation from the following three websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Holman_Hunt
http://www.artmagick.com/pictures/artist.aspx?artist=william-holman-hunt
http://artchive.com/artchive/H/hunt.html
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 20 ¾” Width - 11 ¾”
Manufacturer: Campbell Prints Inc. N.Y.  

“Our Mother of Perpetual Help” w/ Archangels Michael & Gabriel, Antique Religious Chromolithograph Print This is a bright and colorful antique chromolithograph titled, "Our Mother of Perpetual Help" featuring the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. Archangels Michael and Gabriel are hovering above. The gold metallic background illuminates the brilliant colors and elaborate details throughout the print. Mary and Jesus have captivating delicate faces. This is a fine example of a beloved and highly prized picture that has been often mentioned and linked to miracles! The frame and matting appear to have been changed probably in the 1960’s. The print is antique, circa 1900. The print, frame, and matting are all in excellent condition. There is a very slight waviness to the print. The print is in a deep oak frame that retains the original finish which is white-washed, highlighting the decorative grain of the wood. The glass, wire hanger, paper backing are all original to the re-framing of this piece in the 1960’s. The paper backing completely intact with the framer’s label. The label reads, "Have your pictures, diplomas, and photographs framed by I. Greenbaum; ‘Where Quality is a Tradition’; 128-130 Springfield Ave.; Newark 3, New Jersey; Phones MA. 2-3900". Print is circa 1900. Frame & Matting is circa 1960’s.
Circa: 1900
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 13 ½” Width - 11 ¾” Depth - 2” / Print Measurements: Height - 9” Width - 7”
Manufacturer: I. Greenbaum; 128-130 Springfield Ave.; Newark 3, New Jersey  

“Madonna” Hand-Painted Vintage Religious Lefton China Bisque Figurine of the Sweet Virgin Mary Praying This is a sweet, endearing, and shapely vintage bisque figurine of Madonna. This lovely figurine is hand-painted with gold highlights. The details are finely done with delicately beautifully applied flowers at the bottom. Madonna’s face and position of her arms convey a special inspirational feeling and emotion to the viewer. The bottom of figurine is stamped with the manufacturer, "Lefton China; Hand-Painted; Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.", the titled, "Madonna", and the original item number of this piece, "KW1463". This piece is heavy, substantial, and in excellent original condition. Circa 1950’s.
Circa: 1950's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Figurine Measurements: Height - 7 ½” Width - 4 ½” Depth - 3 ¼”
Manufacturer: Lefton China; Hand-Painted; Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.  

The 'Gift' of Life - Lg Inspirational Antique Gibson Art Company Motto Print / Masonic Poet: Brother Douglas Malloch This is a wonderfully inspiring antique motto print titled, "Gift" by poet, Brother Douglas Malloch. Brother Malloch was known for his inspirational Masonic poems. The words are fancy, yet easy to read and the sentiment is full of inspiration! Decorative embellishments surround the motto’s background with gold highlights and bright, bold, and cheerful colors throughout. Lovely details throughout. The bottom left hand corner stamped by the manufacturer, "Copyright 1923 The Gibson Art Co.". This print is in excellent original condition. The original molded wood frame is in also in excellent original condition with beautiful complimentary textured designs and original dark burgundy finish with textured and decorative gold trim. Original glass and metal hanger. Circa 1923.

***I’VE INCLUDED A SHORT BIO ABOUT THE FAMOUS MASONIC POET, BROTHER DOUGLAS MALLOCH:

Brother Douglas Malloch (b.1877 - d.1938) was an American poet, short story writer, and associate editor of American Lumberman magazine. He was very popular on the lecture circuit doing public readings of his stories and poems. Malloch's name became a familiar one at the dawn of the 20th century to many thousands of men who ranged the forests and felled the trees. As reviewers wrote, "Malloch’s philosophy is the philosophy of contentment." "He sings of the open, of hard work, of exposure, of rough living and rough loving.

- This article was cited from the following website: http://masonic-poets-society.com/Malloch.htm
Circa: 1923
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 13 ¾” Width - 9 ½”
Manufacturer: The Gibson Art Company  

“Trees"...at Nighttime! Rare Unusual & Elaborate Buzza Motto Print w/ Reverse Painting! / Poet: Joyce Kilmer This is an unusual, enchanting, and rare antique Buzza motto print with reverse painting. This picture features the famous motto, "Trees" by the well-known poet, Joyce Kilmer. This poem was originally published the a book called, "Trees and Other Poems". The elaborate artwork is signed in the far lower right by the famous illustrator, "Lee Mero". The details of this motto are exquisite. The condition of this piece is excellent and all original, except for some light age-appropriate wear to the reverse painting throughout. The gold highlights and the starry sky are incredible and mesmerizing! This picture also has beautiful touches of gold foiling incorporated into the sky and lantern. The bottom left corner has two rows of company manufacturer print. The first row reads, "Trees By Joyce Kilmer, Printed By The Buzza Co. Minneapolis, Minn. U.S.A.". The second row below that, partially hidden under the frame reads, "By Arrangement With George H. Doran Co. Copyright 1914". I’m not certain it reads 1914, but it appears to. Either way, I’m certain the approx circa of this piece is very close to that date, if not it. The molded wood frame is original to this piece with a nice old gold finish. Original glass, paper backing, and string hanger. Circa 1914.

***HERE IS A SHORT LITTLE BIO ABOUT THE FAMOUS POET, ALFRED JOYCE KILMER & THE WRITING OF HIS POETRY:

Alfred Joyce Kilmer (December 6, 1886 – July 30, 1918) was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled Trees (1913), which was published in the collection Trees and Other Poems in 1914. While most of his works are unknown, a select few of his poems remain popular and are published frequently in anthologies. Several critics, both Kilmer's contemporaries and modern scholars, disparaged Kilmer's work as being too simple, overly sentimental, and suggested that his style was far too traditional, even archaic.

The year 1913 approached Kilmer in trials of suffering and faith but also in success. With the publication of "Trees" in the magazine Poetry, Kilmer gained immense popularity as a poet across the United States.

At the time of his deployment to Europe during the first World War (1914–1918), Kilmer was considered the leading American Catholic poet and lecturer of his generation, whom critics often compared to British contemporaries G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) and Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953). A sergeant in the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment, Kilmer was killed at the Second Battle of Marne in 1918 at the age of 31.

***I’VE INCLUDED SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY AND MAKING OF HIS WELL-KNOWN POEM, "TREES":

Though a prolific poet, Joyce Kilmer is chiefly known for his poem, "Trees", published in the 1914 collection, Trees and Other Poems, after it first appeared in Poetry magazine in August 1913. Kilmer wrote "Trees" on February 2, 1913, at his home in Mahwah, New Jersey. The poem was dedicated to Mrs. Henry Mills Alden (Ada Foster Murray Alden), his wife's mother and a poet in her own right. Other sources, which state it was written in Chicago, are unsubstantiated. "Trees" has been given several musical settings that were quite popular in the 1940s and 1950s, the most popular written by Oscar Rasbach in 1922, with renditions performed by Ernestine Schumann-Heink, John Charles Thomas, Nelson Eddy, Robert Merrill and Paul Robeson.

There have been several variations on the text, including many parody texts substituted to mimic Kilmer's seemingly simple rhyme and meter, and questioning the poem's choice of metaphors. "Trees" was popularized in the 1980 film Superman II, which was filmed by two different directors, Richard Donner in 1977 and Richard Lester in 1979. Donner's original version, belatedly released in 2006, has Marlon Brando reading Kilmer's poem.

***THIS ARTICLE BELOW EXPLAINS WHERE KILMER’S INSPIRATION FOR THE POEM, "TREES" CAME FROM:

According to Kilmer's son, Kenton, the poem—which was not inspired by any specific tree but about trees in general—was written "...in an upstairs bedroom... which served as Mother's and Dad's bedroom and also as Dad's office.... The window looked out down a hill, on our well-wooded lawn - trees of many kinds, from mature trees to thin saplings: oaks, maples, black and white birches, and I do not know what else." However, a 1915 interview with Kilmer "pointed out that while Kilmer might be widely known for his affection for trees, his affection was certainly not sentimental - the most distinguished feature of Kilmer's property was a colossal woodpile outside his home. The house stood in the middle of a forest and what lawn it possessed was obtained only after Kilmer had spent months of weekend toil in chopping down trees, pulling up stumps, and splitting logs. Kilmer's neighbors had difficulty in believing that a man who could do that could also be a poet."

Many locations across the United States maintain legends that certain trees in their localities inspired Kilmer to write the poem. Most noted among them is the tradition in Kilmer's birthplace, New Brunswick, New Jersey, which states that Kilmer wrote the poem "Trees" after a large white oak (Quercus alba) tree that was located on the outskirts of town on the campus of Cook College (now known as the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences), at Rutgers University. This tree, estimated to be over three hundred years old, was so weakened by age and disease that it had to be removed in 1963. Currently, saplings from acorns of the historic tree are being grown at the site, throughout the Middlesex County area, and in major arboretums around the United States. The remains of the original Kilmer Oak are currently kept in storage at Rutgers University.

Guy Davenport suggests quite a different inspiration. "Trees were favorite symbols for Yeats, Frost, and even the young Pound. [ . . . ] But Kilmer had been reading about trees in another context[,] the movement to stop child labor and set up nursery schools in slums. [ . . . ] Margaret McMillan . . . had the happy idea that a breath of fresh air and an intimate acquaintance with grass and trees were worth all the pencils and desks in the whole school system. [ . . . ] The English word for gymnasium equipment is 'apparatus.' And in her book Labour and Childhood (1907) you will find this sentence: 'Apparatus can be made by fools, but only God can make a tree.'"

***BELOW IS A VERY INTERESTING ANALYSIS OF THE POEM, "TREES":

His poem "Trees" has twelve lines of eight syllables in strict iambic tetrameter. The poem's rhyme scheme is rhyming couplets rendered aa bb cc dd ee aa.

Despite its deceptive simplicity in rhyme and meter, "Trees" is notable for its use of personification and anthropomorphic imagery: the tree of the poem, which Kilmer depicts as female, is depicted as pressing its mouth to the Earth's breast, looking at God, and raising its "leafy arms" to pray. The tree of the poem also has human physical attributes — it has a "hungry mouth", arms, hair (in which Robins nest), and a bosom.

- All of the above articles were cited from the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Kilmer

*** I’VE ALSO INCLUDED SOME INFO BELOW ABOUT THE FAMOUS WELL-KNOWN LISTED ARTIST / ILLUSTRATOR, LEE MERO:

"There is one man in Minneapolis who has to think in terms of Christmas all year round. Such a man was Lee Mero, a successful commercial artist and illustrator of Christmas greeting cards, who frequently visited Morrison County and became well known in the Little Falls area. Born May 30, 1885, in Ortonville, MN, Lee V. Mero was a younger brother of Dr. Frank H. Mero, a prominent Little Falls dentist around the turn of the century. The Little Falls Daily Transcript followed the accomplishments and exploits of Lee Mero, and through those newspaper articles the story of a talented artist unfolds.

Lee Mero studied art and illustration at the Minneapolis School of Art and later at the Chase School of Art in New York City - both schools which famous Little Falls artist George W. Harting also attended. During the summer of 1908, Lee worked as purser on the steamboat Hopkins on Lake Minnetonka, and made headlines when he saved the life of a seven year old girl who fell overboard and rescued by Mero in a feat of bravery - considering Lee could not swim! His artistic talents also made news as the Transcript in December 1910 reported that large lithographic reproductions of his drawings were on sale locally and were "attracting considerable attention." Quoting from the Minneapolis Tribune, the Transcript in March 1913 carried a lengthy article regarding an exhibition of the Attic Club, a show which included two controversial works by Lee Mero. Done in the Cubist style, his A Gentleman Eating Noodle Soup led the Tribune to muse, "It is expected that this painting will create a furor," when exhibited along with his other painting, The Loss of the 29,000 Hairpins. Furor or not, the Tribune in August 1913 admired Mero as "the artist who painted the Minneapolis scenes reproduced in the charming booklet issued by the Civic and Commerce association for the use of visitors."

In February 1917, Mero spent a month in New York City and made the headlines again when he was arrested for drawing the Brooklyn Bridge! The Transcript, again quoting the Tribune, had a field day explaining how this "prominent member of the Minneapolis art circle" and "respected and admired member of the Attic Club" had so innocently set out to draw the Brooklyn Bridge only to be arrested as a spy. The arresting officer applied the cuffs to innocent Lee, who was unaware that such an act was any violation during the height of World War One. Soon released by a police captain with a stern warning, Mero stayed in New York City long enough to attend a reunion of 21 alumni of the Minneapolis School of Art who resided in the Gotham area and gathered at the famous studio loft of George W. Harting. The following year, Lee won both first and third prizes at the 1918 Minnesota State Fair art exhibit.

Married to Kathryn Rice of Fargo in 1920, Lee briefly moved to Chicago, working for the Chas. D. Frey Advertising Co. where he designed ads for Coca-Cola. Returning to Minneapolis, he became head of the art department of the George Buzza Company (later Buzza-Cardoza Co.), working on poem cards and posters. Around this time he began to concentrate on Christmas greeting cards, and the Transcript via the Tribune reported in December 1921 that Mero labored to create Christmas cards year around: "He sits in his office all his working hours, planning ways to say 'Merry Christmas' in new ways that still have the charm of the old." Neither spring, summer or fall were "allowed to come between him and his all-year Christmas meditations." His cards were noted for their human quality, and his hobby was stated as photographing "crowds at a fire where everyone is straining to see the spectacle; it is from these photographed figures that he gets his inspirations for his Christmas card people. Besides Christmas scenes, Mero painted figures, human activity, and Westerns, including Indian and Native American pictures. He also illustrated a number of book and was a regular contributor to the magazine, ‘Christmas Annuals’ from approx. 1938 to 1980.

Becoming a highly successful creator of Christmas cards, led Mero to work as a freelance artist in 1937, and he was a longtime contributor to the Augsburg Publishing House's famous annual Christmas publication. Lee continued to find success freelancing in design, decorative illustration, creating mottos and greeting cards, until his retirement around 1971. Lee Mero passed away in 1977 at the age of 92, but his art work laden with Christmas themes are timeless in the joy they bring to us all - as if to say - ‘And to all a Merry Christmas!’"

- This above Article was Written By: Bruce Mellor, Copyright 1993
- This above Article is Credited to: The Morrison County Historical Society,
http://www.MorrisonCountyHistory.org
Circa: 1914
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 10 ¾” Width - 7 ¾”
Manufacturer: The Buzza Company Minneapolis, Minn. U.S.A. / By Arrangement With George M. Doran Company  

“To My Mother” Sm. Antique Mother Motto Print w/ Rare & Endearing Sentiment This is an adorable antique mother motto print. This motto, titled, "To My Mother", has a rare and endearing sentiment. The background is bright and vivid with wonderful details and gold highlights. This print is in excellent original condition. The molded wood frame is original to the print and has a lovely textured surface with nice details. The frame is also in excellent original condition with a beautiful original gold finish. Original glass, metal hanger, and paper backing. Circa 1920’s.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 4 ½” Width - 4 ½”
 

"Bless This House" Gorgeous Antique Religious House Blessing Print w/ Exquisitely Hand-Painted Forget-Me-Not Flowers!! This is a large, beautiful, and inspiring House Blessing antique print. The blessing is surrounded by bright and beautiful bouquets of blue forget-me-not flowers that are exquisitely hand-painted! The blessing motto is titled, "Bless This House" and the blessing words themselves are printed in a nice bold and decorative style print. The special print is in excellent original condition, except there is one very tiny light spot at the bottom of the print. The original molded wood frame retains the original gold finish, glass, and metal hanger. Original paper backing with the stamped label of the framing company, "Gould Frame & Mirror Company; 50 N 9th Street; Phila, 7, PA.". Circa 1920's.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 12 3/4" Width - 9 3/4"
Manufacturer: Gould Frame & Mirror Company; 50 N 9th Street; Phila, 7, PA.  

Fashionable Yg Victorian Lady w/ Parasol, Sm. Antique Buzza Print - Hand-Painted Highlights & Quilted Matting!!! This is a small attractive antique Buzza print featuring a fashionable lady dressed in beautiful elaborate clothing. The details and colors are lovely and the print has been embellished with touches of hand-coloring. This print is in excellent original condition, except for a couple very tiny marks on the outer edges of the print. The decorative ivory color matting has a beautiful quilted pattern. The molded wood frame is in excellent original condition with original finish. The print retains the original paper backing with the original Buzza company label, metal hanger, and original glass. Circa 1920's.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 5 1/2" Width - 4 3/4"
Manufacturer: The Buzza Company; Craftacres MPLS. U.S.A.  

"The Story of the Other Wise Man", Special Antique Religious Christmas Book / Author: Henry-Van Dyke c.1895 This is a wonderful story by famous author, Henry-Van Dyke titled, "The Story of the Other Wise Man" This book was published in 1895 by Harper & Brothers Publishers; New York & London". The cover of the book is cloth with a nice illustration on the cover. There are 75 pages to this book. The contents of this book included: Preface; The Sign in the Sky; By the Waters of Babylon; For the Sake of a Little Child; In the Hidden Way of Sorrow; and A Pearl of Great Price". The cover and side binding of the book show age-appropriate wear to the cloth. However, the binding is tight and the pages are in excellent condition. The pages have no tears, creasing, hand-writing, or pen ink on them. The front and back of pg. 59 and pg. 60 has the smallest little brown spot towards the very bottom of the pages…hardly worth mentioning. Circa 1895.

***Here is A SHORT SUMMARY / SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK, "THE STORY OF THE OTHER WISE MAN" IN THE AUTHORS OWN WORDS:

You know the story of the Three Wise Men of the East, and how they traveled from far away to offer their gifts at the manger-cradle in Bethlehem. But have you ever heard the story of the Other Wise Man, who also saw the star in its rising, and set out to follow it, yet did not arrive with his brethren in the presence of the young child Jesus? Of the great desire of this fourth pilgrim, and how it was denied, yet accomplished in the denial; of his many wanderings and the probations of his soul; of the long way of his seeking, and the strange way of his finding, the One whom he sought—I would tell the tale as I have heard fragments of it in the Hall of Dreams, in the palace of the Heart of Man. (Summary written by Henry van Dyke.)

Four Wise Men followed the star in the east, but only three arrived in Bethlehem on time. This is the legend of the fourth Wise Man Artaban and his journey in search of the King.
Because he is helping others, a fourth Wise Man delays journeying with the other Magi to see the newborn Jesus, but thirty-three years later he has an unusual opportunity to meet his Savior.

***I've included A SHORT WONDERFUL LITTLE BIO AS WELL, ABOUT THE FAMOUS AMERICAN AUTHOR, HENRY-VAN DYKE:

Henry van Dyke (1852 – 1933) was an American author, preacher, university professor, educator, diplomat, poet, translator, clergyman, and author of many inspirational writings. His most famous work is The Story of the Other Wise Man, one of the best loved and most inspiring of all Christmas classics.

He graduated from Princeton University in 1873 and from Princeton Theological Seminary, 1877 and served as a professor of English literature at Princeton between 1899 and 1923. In 1908-09 Dr. van Dyke was an American lecturer at the University of Paris. By appointment of President Wilson he became Minister to the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 1913. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and received many other honors. His son is Tertius van Dyke.

He chaired the committee that wrote the first Presbyterian printed liturgy, The Book of Common Worship of 1906. Among his popular writings are the two Christmas stories The Other Wise Man (1896) and The First Christmas Tree (1897). Various religious themes of his work are also expressed in his poetry, hymns and the essays collected in Little Rivers (1895) and Fisherman’s Luck (1899). He wrote the lyrics to the popular hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (1907), sung to the tune of Beethoven's Ode to Joy. He compiled several short stories in The Blue Flower (1902) named after the key symbol of Romanticism introduced first by Novalis. He also contributed a chapter to the collaborative novel, The Whole Family (1908). Among his poems is Katrina's Sundial, the inspiration for the song Time Is by the group It's a Beautiful Day on their eponymous 1969 debut album.

Van Dyke's "Essays in Application" (1905) was quoted by Jack London in the dystopian novel "The Iron Heel". London disliked Van Dyke's ideas, but paid him the compliment of predicting that his writings would still be remembered six hundred years into the future and be cited by a Twenty-Sixth Century writer as "an example of bourgeois thinking".

Specifically, London took issue with Van Dyke's statement, "The Bible teaches that God owns the world. He distributes to every man according to His own good pleasure, conformably to general laws."

***In addition, I’ve included A TINY BIO ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR ON THE COVER, EDWIN AUSTIN ABBEY:

Edwin Austin Abbey (April 1, 1852 – August 1, 1911) was an American artist, illustrator, muralist, and painter. He flourished at the beginning of what is now referred to as the "golden age" of illustration, and is best known for his drawings and paintings of Shakespearean and Victorian subjects. His most famous work, The Quest of the Holy Grail, resides in the Boston Public Library.
Circa: 1895
Condition: Great Original Condition
Size: Book Measurements: Height - 7" Width - 4 3/4"
Manufacturer: Harper & Brothers Publishers; New York & London  

"Winnowed Hymns - A Collection of Sacred Songs” Special & Rare Antique Religious Musical Song Book c.1873 This wonderful antique religious musical paperback book features a special collection of sacred songs. The book is titled, "Winnowed Hymns - A Collection of Sacred Songs…Especially Adapted for Revivals, Prayer, and Camp Meetings" and published in 1873. The editors of this book are, "C.C. McCabe" & "D.T. MacFarlan". The publisher of this book is Biglow & Main, New York and Chicago (Successors to WM. B. Bradbury). Above the Preface reads, "Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1873, by Biglow & Main, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington". This book is "a compilation of the best selections from the extensive copyrights of the Publishers and others, embracing the never-to-be-forgotten songs of WM. B. Bradbury; I.B. Woodbury; Rev. R. Lowry; W.H. Doane; S.J. Vail; Hubert P. Main; WM. G. Fischer; Asa Hull; Rev. L. Hartsough," and many more! The cover of this book is leather with an embossed title, highlighted in gold. There are 128 pages and they are all intact. The cover has some age-appropriate wear, a little scuffing, and some very tiny tears. The binding is a bit loose and the pages have some very minor smudging and creases. There is some slight browning to the pages. There is an index listing all hymns in the back of the book. There are some notations and names on the first pages. In addition, there is an endearing prayer that has been written long ago at the front of the book, probably by the original owner. Circa 1873.
Circa: 1873
Condition: Excellent Orignal Condition
Size: Book Measurements: Height - 6 3/4" Width - 4 1/2"
Manufacturer: Biglow & Main, New York and Chicago (Successors to WM. B. Bradbury)  

Jesus Blesses The Viewer of This Picture - Antique Religious Blessing Print This is a compelling antique print featuring Jesus as a young man. The hand gesture Jesus is seen giving means He blesses the viewer of His picture. The print has lovely details throughout and is in excellent original condition. The wood frame is very nice with rich color and beautiful graining. The frame is also in excellent original condition with old glass and old wire hanger. Torn paper backing. Circa 1910.
Circa: 1910
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 9 3/4" Width - 7 3/4"
 

"My Door" Sm. Charming Antique Motto Print This is a sweet little antique motto print titled, "My Door". This motto features a lovely and hard to find sentiment. The motto is easy to read with interesting illustrations. The cottage and picket fence with the gate open is welcoming. The birds appear to be flying to the little birdhouse. The colors are very appealing with earthy tones of greens and the molded wood frame is very complimentary with a forest green textured design and a fancy gold outer design. This bright and cheerful print is in excellent original condition with a very tiny light scuff between the words "peace" and "of". This is barely noticeable. Old glass and old string hanger. Circa 1920's.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 5 3/4" Width - 4 1/4"
 

‘Sweet Young Girl on a Swing’ Whimsical Antique Victorian Watercolor Painting / Artist: Annabel G. Huster This is an intriguing antique watercolor painting of a sweet young girl swinging on a swing. Below the picture, towards the bottom center of this watercolor, is the artist’s signature, "Annabel G. Huster". Her face is beautifully painted with great expression. There’s even a special flow of energy felt in this picture that has been captured well by the artist. You can almost feel the girl’s grip of the rope-turned swing handles as her dress and long hair blow in the wind! The charming girl is wearing an adorable flowing Victorian dress with a large pink bonnet. This watercolor is in excellent original condition. The original molded wood frame is also in excellent original condition with some wear to the old gold finish. Original glass, old string hanger, and original paper backing. Circa 1920’s.
Circa: 1920's
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Size: Frame Measurements: Height - 10 ¾” Width - 8 ¾”