The Concise Dictionary of National Biography.
London: Oxford University Press, (1925). Octavo. (ix), 1456, (iv), (130)pp. Later printing. With a large fore-edge painting by Miss C. B. Currie, which, according to the signed statement on the front endleaf, depicts "(a) view of the entrance to the avenue from Clare Hall Piece, Cambridge." It is identified as number 138 of her fore-edge paintings. Between 1910 and 1931, Currie executed 164 numbered fore-edge paintings for the bookseller, Henry Sotheran—and is the only practitioner of this particular art form to have set out to create a signed, numbered series of paintings. This was perhaps the result of her partnership with Sotheran's and the binder, Robert Rivière, for whom Currie also created miniature paintings on ivory that formed the main feature of the famous "Cosway" bindings. As with other Currie fore-edge books, this example is bound in a handsome dark green straight-grained morocco by Rivière, gilt and blind roll-tooled border and central panel of five gilt fillets framing inner blind roll-tooling on both covers. A.e.g. Minute rubbing to corners, lower spine ends, and rear inner dentelle, else fine and bright. Item #30755
(Weber, Currie Catalogue Raisonne, 138; Maggs Bookbinding in the British Isles 1075, part II, number 358).
Price: $9,500.00