HUMPHREYS (HENRY NOEL) The Origin and Progress of the Art of Writing, Day and Son, 1855

HUMPHREYS (HENRY NOEL) The Origin and Progress of the Art of Writing, second edition, chromolithographed frontispiece and 12 plates by Day & Son, 15 uncoloured plates, woodcut illustrations in the text, original papier mâché binding over a red paper ground, with the title lettered at the centre with foliate surrounds on both covers, roan spine lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, with Leighton Son & Hodge ticket inside lower cover, g.e., spines ends neatly repaired, joints slightly frayed, later slipcase [Abbey 224; McLean, VBD, pp.150-151], 4to (260 x 170mm.), Day and Son, 1855 Footnotes: A fine example of a papier mâché binding, 'supreme examples of Victorian Gothic and perhaps the biggest triumph of all the ingenuities of Victorian commercial book-binding' (McLean, Victorian Book Design). McLean suggests it is a copy of this book which appears in the background of Holman Hunt's celebrated Pre-Raphaelite painting 'The Awakening Conscience', now at Tate Britain. Saleroom notices: Please note three of the books pictured do not belong in this lot. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing

Saleroom Notice:
Please note three of the books pictured do not belong in this lot.