Poems. By Mr. Gray

An attractive late 18th century vellum binding, plausibly by Edwards of Halifax. Contemporary vellum, boards with a gilt roll border. Smooth spine gilt lettering on a dark label, divided into 6 compartments with gilt ornaments. External straps bound in. Gilt roll tool to edges of boards. The vellum is discoloured; a little outward bowing to the boards. Marbled endpapers. Internally a very clean copy. The initials of ‘E.R.’ to the title page and an ‘e/m’ code to the recto of the final flyleaf. Tissue guards to the six engraved plates, pp178.

The bookbindings of James Edwards, originally of Halifax, West Yorkshire, who in 1784 set up business in Pall Mall, London are among the most famous in British book history. His patent for Embellishing Books bound in Vellum, by making Drawings on the Vellum which are not liable to be Defaced but by Destroying the Vellum itself came in 1785 and was in recognition and to protect his distinctive technique and style of binding volumes which have come to be known as Edwards of Halifax bindings. Such was Edwards’ success that he had many imitators of which this may, or may not, be one.