101 GIFTS “The Incomparable Armoury” (Sir Walter Scott) 154MEYRICK, Samuel Rush. A Critical Inquiry into Antient Armour. London, circa 1832. Three volumes. Folio, modern threequarter crimson morocco gilt. $6000 Early edition of Meyrick’s beautifully illustrated work on arms and armor, in three folio volumes with 70 richly hand-colored plates, ten etched plates, and 27 brightly illuminated and hand-colored historiated initials. “Practically the first on the subject… [one that] remains an authority.” Antient Armour established noted English collector Samuel Meyrick as the leading authority on the topic. He was asked to arrange the national collection of arms and armor in the Tower of London and, at the behest of George IV, at Windsor Castle. The text that accompanies Meyrick’s splendid illustrations is still valued as a primary source on the history and evolution of European armor. “This most superb archeological work is animated with numerous novelties, curious and historical disquisitions, and brilliant and recondite learning… Plates as fine as the monuments of Westminster Abbey. Really and truly the work is admirably executed, and deserves every eulogy” (Edinburgh Review, quoted in Lowndes). First published in 1824. Occasional light foxing, the odd marginal smudge. Modern morocco bindings fine. An attractive copy of this fascinating work. “This Book Was Bound By McLeish For Colonel T.E. Lawrence… It Was Given By Him To Me At All Souls College” 155(LAWRENCE, T.E.) LONGUS. Daphnis and Chloe. London, 1893. Quarto, contemporary full black crushed morocco gilt, uncut. $15,000 The finely printed and beautifully illustrated Vale Press Daphnis and Chloe, one of only 210 copies, with “T.E.L.”—likely in T.E. Lawrence’s hand—faintly penciled in the upper right corner of the front free endpaper and a note from recipient Charles Francis Bell describing the circumstances in which Lawrence presented this copy. Beautifully bound by McLeish. This large-format illustrated edition is one of the Vale Press’ most impressive books. Bookplate of recipient, art historian Charles Francis Bell, with his handwritten note tipped in: “This book was bound by McLeish for Colonel T.E. Lawrence whose initials in pencil in his own writing are in the top corner of the opposite endpaper. It was given by him to me at All Souls College, Oxford on November 16, 1920. C.F. Bell.” Bell (1871-1966) was curator of the Department of Fine Art in the Ashmolean Museum. Mild offsetting from woodcuts; offsetting from morocco turn-ins partially obscuring penciled initials in upper corner of front free endpaper, binding beautiful and fine. An excellent association copy, distinguished provenance.
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