Beschreibung:

WHISTLER, Rex (1905-1944, illustrator) and Jonathan SWIFT (1667-1745). Gulliver's Travels. London: Cresset Press, 1930. Limited edition, number 36 of 195 copies on hand-made paper from a total edition of 205: Lady Juliet Duff’s copy of one of the most celebrated illustrated books of the 20 th century. This edition of Gulliver’s Travels is the finest work published by the Cresset Press, owing largely to Whistler’s splendid illustrations, thought to be inspired by Bentley’s edition of Thomas Gray’s poems of 1753. The present lot also includes important additional material to the Cresset Press edition, including 3 original copper photogravure plates seemingly intended for use in the prospectus to the publication. 2 volumes, folio (358 x 250mm). Half titles, 2 engraved frontispieces and 10 plates by Rex Whistler, all hand-coloured, 5 engraved maps, engraved head- and tailpieces (some minor offsetting). Original green half morocco over vellum boards by Wood, spines lettered in gilt, top edges gilt, others uncut, slipcase (a few faint scratches, slipcase lightly rubbed and stained). Provenance : Lady Juliet Duff (socialite and patron of the arts, 1881-1965; presentation cartouche by Whistler on flyleaf of vol.1, incorporating the name ‘Juliet’ and signed ‘Rex / Nov. 27. 1930’). [ Sold with :] – 3 original copper photogravure plates, apparently for the prospectus to the Cresset Press edition (2 of which 90 x 183mm, the other 231 x 180mm), each mounted on wooden blocks with Cresset Press labels on verso. [ And :] – a 4pp. prospectus, dated 1929, unopened, with photogravure engravings using the largest of the 3 copper plates listed above as frontispiece, some pencil notes obscured by tape at top margin, adhesive residue on last page. [ And :] a dummy binding produced for this edition of brown half morocco over vellum boards, spine lettered in gilt, the leaves blank [ And :] 1-page typed letter from W.R. Fletcher to Laurence Whistler concerning the engravings in this edition and their colouring, and a 1-page facsimile of a typed letter from the same to David Herbert concerning corrections to the preface of his 1984 edition.