[Binding, Fine- Douglas Cockerell for W. H. Smith: Wonderful Niger Guest Book, with Original Box] Guest Book

Letchworth: W.H. Smith & Son, Bookbinding Works, ca. 1905.

First edition. Extremely scarce "Niger morocco Guest Book, superbly bound by W.H. Smith & Son from a Douglas Cockerell design in full reddish-brown Niger morocco. In the Original Wooden Shipping Box, lined in felt which bears the W.H. Smith & Son's printed label to the cover. The binding features gilt-ruled borders and is embellished with small inlaid white dots and tiny floral tooling. Gilt lettering at the head of the upper cover featuring a quote from Homer's Odyssey: "We should a guest love while he loves to stay / And when he likes not give him loving way." Smooth spine with ruled border and title ("Guest Book") in gilt, stamp-signed in gilt with the "WHS" monogram on rear dentelle. Green cloth endpapers, top edges gilt. Printed on "Whatman 1905" paper. Cockerell managed the bindery at W.H. Smith & Son, from 1905 to 1914. ìIn 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 himî Bookbinding in the British Isles. A wonderful Douglas Cockerell design, and exceedingly scarce, especially in the original shipping, labeled box.

Price: $3,850.00   Item #4978