London: Adam and Charles Black, 1903. First edition.
8vo. Finely bound by Bayntun (Riviere) in handsome half brown crushed morocco over marbled boards, the spine richly gilt tooled with floral and foliate motifs, raised bands, and gilt lettering; top edge gilt, marbled endpapers echoing the boards. With 80 colour plates from watercolours by Helen Allingham, all with tissue guards and complete as issued.
A beautifully produced A. & C. Black colour plate book, celebrating the idyllic English countryside through Allingham’s delicate watercolours - cottages nestled in bloom, children at play, and gardens in high summer. Marcus Huish provides a memoir of the artist and evocative text that complements her rural scenes.
Condition: binding solid and attractive, the morocco showing only light rubbing, the marbled paper panels with mottling and age patina that lends character. Text and plates fresh and clean with only light foxing to prelims. A delightful example of this charming Edwardian colour plate classic, handsomely bound by Bayntun.
