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134 x 93 mm. (5 1/4 x 3 3/4"). xiv, 169 [1] pp.; xiii [1], 191 [1] pp. Two volumes bound in one. . Pleasing chocolate brown morocco by Hatchards (stamp-signed on the front turn-in), covers with an expressive gilt frame with elaborate lattice work cornerpieces, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with floral volutes, turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. With the engraved bookplate of Mabel St. Oswald on the front pastedown. Spine slightly sunned (and gilt consequently dulled), front joint just a touch rubbed, internally with trivial foxing, otherwise quite a pretty book in very attractive condition. This is an attractively bound volume containing Edwardian fine arts and theater criticism and featuring an unusually elaborate engraved bookplate depicting the book's former home. The father to the well-known American painter Guy Pene du Bois, the French-American critic Henri Pene du Bois (1856-1906) assembled the present collections of quotes on art and theatre to instruct and entertain in matters of taste, a topic on which he clearly had distinct opinions. These were published alongside two additional volumes of "French Folly in Maxims," discussing letters and philosophy, respectively. Our copy was from the library of Mabel, Lady St. Oswald (1871-1919), popular hostess and wife of Rowland Winn, Conservative MP and 2nd Baron St. Oswald. Their stately Yorkshire home, Nostell Priory, is depicted on the very large and expansively elaborated engraved bookplate done by William P. Barrett. The bookplate, which is dated 1908, includes both an exterior view of the house as well as a depiction of the library where this volume surely once resided, featuring pieces from the impressive Chippendale furniture collection at Nostell, now managed by the UK National Trust.
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