Minor wear to the board edges, more marked on the spine than elsewhere and a little uneven discolouration, but a very good copy of the first binding state, with an important association, bearing as it does the bookplate of John Gray and with the later small stamp of Hawkesyard Priory, where many of Gray’s books trickled down after having been bequeathed to the Dominican Fathers of Edinburgh. The bookplate of Monsignor Vincent Lloyd-Russell of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano in California (founded in 1776) adds an interesting later dimension, as does its yet later ownership by Robert Booth, whose remarkable collection of Leonard Smithers was sold in 1996.
The author’s first volume of poetry, containing most of his best known work, and sent to Gray at the author’s request. Dowson was in Brittany at the time of publication and wrote to Gray “This is to tell you that my volume is, or will be, sent to you; it should be out by this time. I’m afraid I have written an indiscreet ‘preface’, although it seems to me very exquisite: - indiscreet I mean in that it will give an handle to the little yapping puppies of the press to émender me.” This meant that Gray and the others of his friends that Smithers sent copies to saw the book before Dowson himself did, and when he finally did get his copies he was appreciative of the taste with which the book was presented, writing to Smithers initially that “My compliments and thanks for the luxury with which you have encadré my lucubrations. The cover is really very beautiful” and shortly after “I am more delighted with their appearance than I can say. Beardsley’s binding block is admirable - simplex munditiis, and yet most sumptuous.” Beardsley’s design is indeed a minor masterpiece of restrained elegance, despite the fact that the artist was no more a fan of Dowson than of Wilde: Adams quotes Beardsley’s quip that the roughly Y-shaped design meant “Why was this book ever written?”.
Hayward, 307; Nelson, LS, 1896.9, Lasner, AB, 106. Very good copy.
