[Mary Moulton Cheney | Hand-Colored] The City

Upson, Arthur. The City: A Poem-Drama. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd / Boston: Small, Maynard & Company, 1904. Introductory note by The Count Lutzow. Decorative title-page and 10 chapter headers and footers by Mary Moulton Cheney, all of which have been hand-colored in gilt and varying shades of green, yellow, red, and purple. Green cloth with gilt lettering to front cover and spine. Measures approx. 5.25" x 7.5". Bookplate to front pastedown. Some light rubbing to edges and bumping to corners. Small stain to rear cover. 

Along with May Smith, Mary Moulton Cheney was one half of the Chemith Press in Minneapolis, which was also producing volumes around this time. The Chemith Press was the first American private press of the arts & crafts period–and is believed to be one of two total–that was run by women (The Origins of Graphic Design in America, 1870-1920, Raffel & Thomson). Moulton Cheney is a highly regarded figure in the arts & crafts movement in Minnesota, and “seems to have served as founder, leader, or both, for almost every early arts organization in Minneapolis, as well as the Minnesota State Art Society” (Wikipedia).