Edwards, George

Large paper issue, 7 volumes bound in 4, folio (473 x 280mm.), 362 hand-coloured engraved plates, some printed in counter-proof with inscriptions and numbers reversed, contemporary blue straight-grained morocco gilt by J. Staggemeier with his ticket, the covers with two interlacing strapwork frames tooled in gilt and blind, surrounded by a wide border gilt of fillets and palmettes, spines tooled gilt in seven compartments, lettered in three, gilt and silver gilt turn-ins, watered silk doublures and free endpapers, the latter with gilt fillet and foliate borders, gilt edges, [Mullens and Swann, p.196; Nissen IVB 286; Zimmer, p.201; cf. Anker 126], plate 50 with short marginal tear, small hole not affecting text in vol.2 leaf for plates 124/125, plate 162 and accompanying text leaf with marginal tear, a few leaves slightly browned or spotted

Rt. Hon. Hugh Cecil, Earl of Lonsdale, Lowther Castle, Penrith, book label, his sale in these rooms, 12 July 1937, lot 164, £47, Edwards; Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Baron Fairhaven (no bookplate); thence by family descent

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A magnificent copy of the large-paper edition of Edwards’s famous work.

“Of this large-paper issue, only 25 copies were printed, with the plates carefully coloured to resemble drawings” (Mullens and Swann).

“[The plates] appear as though they had been transferred from drawings or printed sheets, and not printed from copper plates… All the plates are exceptionally finely colored and of softer finish than those of the original edition” (Zimmer).