"BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH": FIRST EDITION OF ALBERTO SANGORSKI'S BEAUTIFULLY ILLUMINATED EDITION OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

(SANGORSKI, Alberto, illuminator). The Sermon on the Mount. (London: Chatto & Windus, 1911). Quarto, contemporary full blue calf gilt, raised bands, marbled endpapers, french-folded leaves, top edge gilt, uncut; pp. 24. $1600.

First edition of Alberto Sangorski's fine calligraphic and illuminated rendition of the Sermon on the Mount, each page a lovely color plate, handsomely bound by Bayntun.

This splendid edition is rendered in the luxurious style of the Medieval illuminated manuscript, "designed, written out and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski." Richly colored, hand-illuminated leaf and flower motifs grace each beautifully calligraphed page. Sangorski was "taught illuminating and, no doubt, bookbinding by his brother Francis Sangorski, who in 1901, with George Sutcliffe, founded the most celebrated bookbinding firm of the early 20th century" (Berman, et al., Fine and Historic Bookbindings, 208, note).

Very faint occasional foxing, slightest toning to spine. A handsome nearly fine copy.