Q: I recently picked up a book and it seems to me that it is part of the Vademecum Series. It is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Second Series of essays. Just wanted to know the publishing year and perhaps any more info regarding the painter of the applique. Picture is attached.

A: You have a 1907 book. See Vademecum Series for more information.

During the early 1900’s there were several Vademecum Series formats that had parts of European paintings as paste-on’s on the front covers.

Your book’s paste-on (appliqué) is part of a larger picture.