About this Item
An extra-illustrated set of John Heneage Jesse s (1809-74) literary sketch of London. This work is an adaptation of two previous works on the history and character of London. 6 volumes, 8vo (194 x 128mm), titles printed in red and black, Extra-Illustrated with 480 engraved plates, portraits, many hand-coloured. Published by Richard Bentley (London), 1871. Finely bound by Bayntun Riviere in contemporary full armorial blue crushed morocco gilt, with their binder s signature to the front turn-ins, the covers with geometric fillet borders with the coat-of-arms of the City of London at the centre of each, spines gilt in six compartments, gilt edges, dentelles, marbled and later endpapers, red morocco gilt bookplate of W. A. Foyle, Beeleigh Abbey to front pastedowns. Very occasional light spotting, a hint of wear to the front board of volume II, a small tear to the outer margin of one page in Vol III discreetly and expertly repaired; near fine. A beautiful set in a unique contemporary Bayntun Riviere binding from the esteemed Foyle Library. William Foyle (1883-1963) co-founded the famous Foyles bookshop with his brother Gilbert, on Charing Cross Road in London. In 1943 William Foyle acquired the former medieval monastery of Beeleigh Abbey near Maldon in Essex, and put together one of the world s greatest private book collections, which he kept in the former monastic dormitory. Following William Foyle s passing in 1963, the abbey and book collection were inherited by his daughter Christina. Christina left her estate to the Foyle Foundation, and after she passed away in 1999, the book collection was sold by Christies in July 2000, where it achieved a world record sales total. Unbeknown to the public, in a private agreement with Christies prior to the sale, many books from the collection were acquired by William s grandson Christopher, the nephew of Christina. Christopher also bought back the abbey and Foyles bookshop from the Foyle Foundation charity trustees at market value. Christopher worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the Foyle s bookshop and sold the business to Waterstones in 2018. Christopher and his wife Catherine additionally undertook significant restoration of Beeleigh Abbey, and added greatly to the book collection. Christopher received an OBE for services to publishing, aviation and charity, and served as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex. Christopher passed away in August 2022 at the age of 79. Leo McKinstry, the British journalist, historian, and author, commented on his close friend Christopher after his passing: He was a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist, with an eclectic range of interests that reflected his lively, inquiring mind. His instinct for hard work was accompanied by gregarious, humorous, generous nature and an openness to maverick ideas. The manner of his passing mirrored his character, positive to the last. Having contracted a rare form of cancer, he fought heroically for years against the illness, never complaining, never far from laughter. (Maldon Standard.) (US Naval Institute.) (Navy Records Society.) (Royal Museums Greenwich.) Please contact us for shipping costs if ordering from outside the UK. Seller Inventory # ABE-1726933278919
Contact seller
Report this item
