Alfalfa (in Van Everen "Fitsanybook" Adjustable Book Cover)

...Lucerne, Spanish Trefoil, Chilean Clover, Brazilian Clover, French Clover, Medic, Purple Medic... Practical Information on its production, qualities, worth and uses, especially in the United States and Canada. Hardcover 12mo, 163pp + ads. Later printing of the popular volume in Very Good condition, particularly desirable for its original Van Everen "Fitsanybook" book cover, patented in 1888. Van Everen had produced such "stationers' jacket" covers in multiple sizes since the 1870s. "Fitsanybook" was designed in four pieces with scalloped flaps to fit over the corners, attach to the pastedowns, and wrap over onto the covers. The jacket shows wear at the extremities and a puncture on the cover near where the title is written and has a lovely overall aesthetic quality. Frontis verso signed "J.W. Drake, Grandview Farms," else clean and unmarked.