Rebacked, cloth soiled and rubbed at extremities, some chipping to edges of leaves, particularly prelims, but generally bright and clean with a remarkable absence of toning or foxing to leaves. Ink stamp of Campbell, Smith & Co. decorators to ffep.
The first book by Lewis Foreman Day, who would go on to establish himself as one of the leading figures in late 19th century decorative design. Described as ‘an eclectic with a particular penchant for Japan’ (S. Durant, Ornament), he became a central figure in the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and a founding member of the Art-Workers’ Guild. He published and taught widely, including at the Royal College of Art. ‘When the Victoria and Albert Museum was established in its new building (1909) he was a member of the committee appointed to report upon the arrangement of the collections, and he greatly influenced the scheme which was eventually adopted’ (ODNB).
Campbell, Smith & Co., whose ownership stamp appears in this volume, were a London based firm of interior decorators founded ‘largely under [William] Burges aegis… The firm prospered. Indeed it became the most prestigious private firm of architectural decorators in Britain’ (William Burges and the High Victorian Dream, Joseph Mordaunt Crook). The firm worked closely with Burges on his renovations at Cardiff Castle, achieving their finest work on the Small Dining Room, the Chaucer Room, the Library and Lady Bute’s Bedroom.
