23 “There Is An Old London Story That Has Never Lost Its Loveliness For Me” 22(COBURN, Alvin Langdon) CHESTERTON, G.K. London. London, 1914. Octavo, original linen-backed paper boards. $4500 First edition of this collaboration between two masters of their crafts, privately printed by the Chiswick Press, featuring 10 of Coburn’s photogravures in conversation with Chesterton’s London-themed essay, inscribed “To Gertrude Capen Whitney with best wishes from Edith W. Coburn and Alvin Langdon Coburn. Christmas 1914.” This sequel to Coburn’s 1909 London, his magnificent first book of photography, features a luminous view of Parliament from the river as well as images of Big Ben and St. Paul’s—perfectly complemented by legendary essayist Chesterton’s evocative essay, which pays tribute to the city and her sense of place. Without very scarce original dust jacket. Sullivan 34. Expert reinforcement to text block. Toning to endpapers, including inscription leaf, boards moderately soiled. A very good copy, desirable inscribed by Coburn. Elihu Vedder’s Illustrated Rubaiyat, Beautifully Bound At The Harcourt Bindery 23(VEDDER, Elihu, illustrator) (FITZGERALD, Edward, translator). The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Boston, 1884. Folio, 20th-century full green morocco gilt. $7000 First trade edition of Vedder’s wonderfully illustrated edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, with lithographic frontispiece, title page, colophon, dedication leaf, half title and 51 mounted plates, beautifully bound at the Harcourt Bindery. “A commission to illustrate the 1884 edition of Edward FitzGerald’s Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám established [Vedder’s] fame at home and abroad. His illustrations, intricately linked to the verses (which he rearranged to suit his vision of the book) were a popular success and exhibited widely… Vedder was one of the most popular artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries” (ANB). A limited edition of 100 copies signed by Vedder and bound in morocco was issued the same year, no precedence established. Interior fine, stunning Harcourt binding with front joint expertly repaired. A beautifully bound copy of this illustrated edition.
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