[Binding, Fine- W. H. Smith, Designed by Douglas Cockerell] Lely and the Stuart Portrait Painters: A Study of English Portraiture Before & After van Dyck

London: Philip Lee Warner for the Medici Society, 1912.

First edition. Two volumes, quartos. Handsomely bound Arts & Crafts style binding by W.H. Smith & Son (signed WHS on rear dentelle) from a design by Douglas Cockerell (see below) who managed the bindery from 1906-1914. Full crushed turquoise morocco with distinctive Cockerell circling gilt ruling at edges, gilt rectilinear patterning and thick "nailheads," as well as a central armorial motif on both covers, gilt spines with even more elaborate circular gilt motifs, dots, etc. In a statement printed in G.D. Hobson - English Bindings of J.R. Abbey, p. 170, Cockerell notes that bindings signed with the ëWHSí stamp during this period were specially designed by Douglas Cockerell. Limited 375 copies (of which 350 are for sale) on pure rag paper; of the ordinary edition this is no. 6. 240 reproductions after the original pictures. The volumes were bound for Charles Lyttleton with the front and back covers of both volumes featuring his coat of arms at center. The dentelles feature four gilt rules and tooling at corners, with patterned endpapers in tan, black, and blue. All edges gilt. Some light edge-wear, and faint discoloration and staining to covers, a few inlaid dots missing.

Price: $1,750.00   Item #4922