Published by Henry Froude, Oxford University Press, London, 1893
Seller: Dark and Stormy Night Books, Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
First Edition
Hard Cover. Condition: Very Good. Complete Copyright Edition. Hard cover, 8 vo., binding stamp-signed by Roger De Coverly in full gray crushed morocco with small gilt corner fleurons, gilt banding to board edges, and at head and tail of spine, 858pp. Spine has five raised bands featuring the same filigree, joined by thin banding. Marbled endpapers are decorated with corner swags of floral gilding on the turn-ins. Bookbinder's stamp to verso of front pastedown. Inscription in old ink to ffep. dated 1895. All edges gilt. On India paper. Features two-column text with "Gothic" style headlines. The American, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1902) was one of the most honored poets of his time, and this volume includes his most famous works, such as "Evangeline, " "Hiawatha" and the "Ride of Paul Revere." Henry Froude (1841-1927) was the Publisher to the University during this period, and oversaw its expansion into new markets abroad and more commercial lines of literature. Condition: Very Good. The spine and outer reaches of the boards are oxidized to a tan color. There are some repaired scrapes to the rear board, and an area of uneven color near the foot of the spine. Front hinge starting. Small area of concern to top of front hinge, not yet split. Moderate foxing affects endpapers mostly (wee bit on title page.) The rest of the text within is clean and bright. A nice, example from de Coverly, who was famously once the teacher of the fabled English bookbinder , T.J. Cobden-Sanderson. BAL No. 12727. Book.
Published by T. Fisher Unwin. London, 1900
Seller: Addyman Books, Hay-on-Wye, United Kingdom
First Edition
US$ 1,385.85
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketT.Fisher Unwin. 1900. First edition. Very beautifully bound by Roger de Coverly in full vellum gilt, gilt decorations to compartments of spine. Marbled endpapers, all page edges gilt. Name stamp of Roger de Coverly to inside of front free endpaper. Spine slightly soiled, boards less so. A fine example from one of the top binders of this period. The book itself is very scarce and explores the beauty and divinity of the Russian countryside. The author uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the natural landscapes and the people who inhabit them. The poem is divided into several sections, each one focusing on a different aspect of Russian life and culture. It is considered a classic work of literature and a masterpiece of poetic expression. The themes explored in the book include nature, spirituality, and the human experience. This very attractive binding is the work of Roger de Coverly (1831-1914), one of the top binders in England during the latter part of the 19th century. He was apprenticed to Zaehnsdorf in 1845, worked for J. & J. Leighton from c. 1852-63, then established his own bindery. In the period of 1800-1900, his bindings were in great demand, as were his services as a teacher. He did a good deal of work for William Morris, and he counted among his illustrious students the younger Charles McLeish as well as another top English bookbinder - T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, who served an apprenticeship with him in 1883-84. Working mostly in the classical style, De Coverly and his two sons demonstrated craftsmanship that was consistently of the highest quality."Captain Adams" used the pseudonym "Auguste Smada" (Smada being Adams backwards) when printing a poem titled "Rus Divinum" around November 1900. He was an officer of the 5th Lancers who had recently returned from the front during the Second Boer War. He was a linguist and wrote from Tokyo to the London Standard newspaper regarding matters related to Russia, specifically concerning the Russo-Japanese War around 1904.