Beschreibung:

PEACOCK, Thomas Love (1785-1866). The Misfortunes of Elphin . Newtown, Montgomeryshire: Gregynog Press, 1928. 8° (240 x 157mm). Wood-engraved title-vignette and 22 wood-engraved illustrations as head- and tailpieces by and after Horace Walter Bray, press device [Harrop 'Devices' no. 8] on colophon. Original red morocco gilt designed by Bray and executed by George Fisher Gregynog Press Bindery, boards with bevelled edges and gilt-ruled borders, upper board with design of 2 chalices pouring wine, gilt-ruled board-edges and turn-ins, spine gilt in compartments and lettered in one, top edge gilt (a few tiny scuff marks). Provenance : Thomas Jones (1870-1955, by descent to his daughter:) -- Eirene Lloyd, Baroness White (1909-1999; sale, Sotheby's London, 21-22 July 1992, lot 341). LIMITED TO 250 COPIES, THIS NO. 4 OF 25 SPECIALLY-BOUND COPIES. FROM THE LIBRARY OF DR THOMAS JONES CH, CHAIRMAN OF THE GREGYNOG PRESS. The civil servant Thomas Jones had worked with Edward Davies brother of Gwendoline and Margaret Davies, the founders of the Gregynog Press, and was swiftly co-opted into the Press as Chairman, becoming 'friend, confidant, adviser, and [the sisters'] living link with the world outside Wales' (Harrop, p. 8). For other volumes from Jones' set of specially-bound copies, see lots 257 and 258. Describing this volume, Harrop writes: 'The overall impression is one of demure drollery, entirely suited to Peacock's style. The title-page is one of simple, classic beauty. Indeed, the book has a satisfying unity which has rendered it one of the more keenly collected items' (p. 50). Of the 25 specially-bound copies, 4 are held by institutions. Harrop Gregynog 12; Ransom 'Gregynog' 13; De Zilverdistel Margaret Sidney Davies Collection 12.