The Lure of the Mask

Illustrated Cloth Novel by Harold MacGrath, 1908

Bobbs-Merrill Company

The Piece

An original 1908 illustrated cloth edition of The Lure of the Mask, a romantic adventure novel that explores identity, secrecy, and performance in the early 20th century. Bound in its original pictorial boards, the cover features a contemplative female figure holding a theatrical mask—an image that perfectly encapsulates the novel’s themes of illusion and self-discovery.

This copy remains remarkably readable and intact, retaining its structural integrity and visual presence more than a century after publication.

Historical Context

Published at the height of the Edwardian era, The Lure of the Mask belongs to a period when novels were as much objects of design as vessels for story. Harold MacGrath was among the era’s most widely read authors, writing romantic and adventurous fiction that appealed to readers drawn to intrigue, travel, and psychological tension.

The imagery of the mask reflects a cultural moment fascinated by dual identities, theater, and the blurred line between public persona and private self—an idea that resonated deeply in a society on the edge of modernity.

Product Details

Condition & Notes

This volume is in excellent condition considering its age. The binding remains solid and secure, allowing the book to be handled and read comfortably without any sense of fragility—a rarity for illustrated cloth editions from the early 20th century.

The pages are notably white and clean, retaining their flexibility and clarity with no brittleness, heavy foxing, or degradation. Text remains crisp and fully legible throughout. The illustrated cloth cover is in great condition, with strong color retention and only minor, age-appropriate wear at the corners and edges.

A period gift inscription dated December 25, 1915 is present, adding historical authenticity while preserving the book’s overall integrity. This is a well-kept, highly readable example that has clearly been cared for over time rather than merely stored.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This is not a book meant to disappear into a shelf. It’s meant to be seen.

With its muted red cloth, expressive illustration, and quietly dramatic subject matter, The Lure of the Mask functions as both a literary artifact and a visual accent. It layers effortlessly into moody interiors, library shelves, or curated tabletop stacks—bringing with it a sense of narrative depth and old-world intrigue.

It’s the kind of object that invites curiosity before it’s ever opened.

From Viridian Eclection

We source pieces that hold their ground—objects shaped by time, use, and intention. The Lure of the Mask survived because it was valued, read, and kept. Its appeal lies not in rarity, but in presence: the kind that rewards those who notice detail, texture, and story.

This is a book with a past—and a future in the right hands.