THE ART OF ILLUMINATING. As Practised in Europe From the Earliest Times. Illustrated by Borders, Initial Letters and Alphabets, Selected and Chromolithographed by W. R. Tymms. With an Essay and Instructions by M. D. Wyatt Archt -

Day and Son. Lithographers to the Queen. London. Published April 2nd 1860. 1860. FIRST EDITION. 4to. (11.6 x 8.1 inches). Illustrated with a total of 102 fine full page Chromolithograhic plates; Half title, title page, 99 numbered plates - each with a tissue paper guard, and the colophon leaf. 104 pp of text, printed in black within decorative red borders. A fine copy in a beautiful designer binding by The Ashley Bindery, of Somerset. Stamped to the rear inner board- 19 AB 81. Full black morocco with multi colour design of two boxed lines in brown morocco across both boards and the spine, with tan, green and red design within each box. The spine is also lettered in gilt. Wood effect endpapers. All edges gilt. Housed in a felt lines chemise with the same wood effect paper on the boards and a black morocco spine, lettered in gilt and with one of the red designs onlaid between the title and authors. This then fits into a felt lined slip case covered with the wood effect paper. A fine and beautiful binding. --- A previous owner has written neatly in pencil on the front blank free endpaper that they bought this from Mr Ashley of the Ashley Bindery in 1981 for £100, also stating that Mrs Ashley designed the binding. I assume that they mean Mr and Mrs Lewis who owned the bindery.