Designer: Alice C. Morse (American, 1863–1961); author: Washington Irving (American, 1783–1859); publisher: The Knickerbocker Press, New York, and G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London
Cream cloth covered boards with gold decoration
Overall 8 7/8 x 14 3/16 in. (22.6 x 36 cm), front cover 8 7/8 x 5 7/8 in. (22.6 x 15 cm), front cover and spine 8 7/8 x 8 1/4 in. (22.6 x 21 cm)
Gift of Alice C. Morse, 1923, transferred from the Library (56.522.55)
Morse designed The Conquest of Granada using a mixture of Arts and Crafts, Arabic, Moorish, and Persian ornament. The cover is bound in white plain-weave cloth, stamped in green, pink, and gold. This book and its companion publication, The Alhambra, also by Irving, are two of the most elaborately produced gift books designed by Morse. Both volumes have illustrated endleaves and ornamental page borders that were possibly designed by Morse. An example of this book cover was included in Morse's exhibit in the Woman's Building at the World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago, 1893). The Museum's book cover is a publisher's production or proof case, inscribed "Alice C Morse."
