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Lot Description

BROWNING, Robert (1812-1889). Men and Women. London: Chapman and Hall, 1855.

2 volumes, 8vo (171 x 107 mm). 2pp. advertisement at end of vol. II. Early 20th century crushed tan morocco, covers elaborately framed several times in gilt, central gilt-stamped initials "W.B.B." within frames on upper covers, spines in 6 compartments with raised bands, gilt-lettering in two, single gilt frames in others, edges gilt, broad turn-ins gilt, stamp-signed by Ellen G. Woolrich and dated 1908. Provenance: William Bowers Bourn II (1857-1936), American entrepreneur and socialist who ran a successful gas company in San Francisco (gilt initials on covers and bookplate); Agnes Moody Bourn (initials also on bookplate).

FIRST EDITION of one of Browning's finest collections of poetry, IN A GUILD OF WOMEN BINDERS BINDING. "Ellen (Nelly) G. Woolrich probably learned to bind from Cockerell or from Sangorski and Sutcliffe. She was working at 5 Bloomsbury Square when she exhibited in the A&CES exhibition in 1903 and in Antwerp in 1904" (Tidcombe). One of her bindings was also featured in Sarah T. Prideaux's Modern Bookbinding... (1906), and The Studio's "Yearbook of Decorative Art" for 1909.

Fine Literature from the Collection of Richard C. McKenzie

Condition Report

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