Hobson (Anthony R.A.), 1921-2014

(35 cm), xiii, 190 pp., frontispiece (in colour), 84 plates. Publisher’s half-brown morocco binding, spine gilt, top edge gilt. - Descriptions of 89 bindings chosen from Major Abbey’s collection, with appendices, a list of abbreviations, and index. “In forty-two essays on French bindings from 1512 to 1942, and thirty-five on Italian bindings from 1480 to 1839, [Hobson] has embedded an enormous amount of research” (B.H. Breslauer, The Uses of bookbinding literature, New York 1986, p.28). ¶ Exlibris (“Esher”) of Oliver Sylvain Baliol Brett, 3rd Viscount Esher (1881-1963), member of the Roxburghe Club on the date of issue (cf. membership list printed on p.v, where his name is printed in red); Percy Muir, “Private Libraries, I: Lord Esher” in The Times Literary Supplement, 28 May 1938, p.376. Sold by Christie’s South Kensington, 22 November 2002, lot 140 (with other books of Esher provenance). Immaculate copy, superior to all others seen on the market in recent years. Slip loosely inserted: With the compliments of Major J.R. Abbey | Greyfriars : Storrington : Sussex.