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GRAY'S ELEGY

 

JONES, Owen.  GRAY'S ELEGY.                                                                                   

London: Longman, 1846, and New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1846. 4to. Embossed full calf. (18) chromographic leaves. First edition.

This is the first example of the "Relivo" style binding, patented by Remnant and Evans, whose binder's ticket is present in this copy.  The binding was designed by Owen Jones.  The covers are deeply embossed and blind-stamped, an effect created by building up portions of the board underneath and using a high-pressure steam driven press to affix the leather to the boards.  This is also the first secular book designed by Jones, who used chromolithographic ornamentation to surround and enhance the text.  Some foxing to the front blank, else a fine copy, uncommon in this condition.  over shows very light rubbing and the book itself appears to have been very professionally recased.  Still, a very attractive copy of a key book in Ninteenth-Century English book making, very uncommon in the American issue.  (For further information see Abbey, Life, 227; Lewis, page 143; Burch, page 193; McLean's Victorian Book Design, pages 91-92, 207; and Ball, pages 145 and 152, and Plate 3).  Neat contemporary calligraphic name on front blank with two initial letters in gold and colors.

 

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