The First Century of English Porcelain
London: Hurst and Blackett, Limited, 1906. Hardbound. Pea green elaborately gilt and color decorated and embossed boards, with mylar cover; Top edge gilt. xvi, 252 pp., 77 plates including 45 in color. VG (Carries bookplate of former owner, English art dealer Arthur Stannard Vernay [1877-1960]). Item #105902
"The manufacture of porcelain, by its difficulties, by its scientific interest, and by the beauty of the finished article, attained a pinnacle far above that reached by any other handicraft. Its history is practically a royal progress; from the very earliest days, up to the present time, it has been fostered under the protecting wing of royal patronage. ...It is, then, hardly to be wondered at that we should take pride in the possession of articles the like of which have fascinated kings and queens, and taken their share in the making of the world's history, and things which also appeal to other vulenrable parts of our nature, those of intrinsic value, rarity, and beauty." (introductory) Chapters are devoted to Bow, Chelsea, Worcester, Lonton Hall, Derby, Pinxton, Lowestoft, Plymouth, Bristol, Caughley, Worcester Chamberlains, Coalport, Spode, Grainger Worcester, Swansea, Nantgarw, Minton, and Rockingham. Includes introduction, a chronological schedule of English Keramics, 3 appendices & index. This one is an exquisite copy, with a beautiful binding.
Price: $29.97