1944 Georgian Cabinet-Makers

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding, Signed, With Dustwrapper, With Letter

The first edition, first impression, in the scarce publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.

With a tipped in note to Ambrose Heath to the front free endpaper from Hoalkin, Director of Country Life: 'Dear Sir Ambrose Heal, you very kindly lent us some of your trade cards for reproduction [...] and I am now taking the opportunity of returning them all to you, with our grateful thanks'.

Ambrose Heal was a British furniture designer, businessman, and key figure in the Arts and Crafts and Modernist movements. Born into the family that owned Heal’s, the London furniture store, he transformed its reputation by designing simple, functional, pieces that contrasted with the heavy Victorian style then in vogue.

He was also known for collecting London historical ephemera, including records of tradesmen, goldsmiths, calligraphers, signboards and furniture makers. His inscription appears to the front free endpaper, with a number of ink annotations throughout offering further information, and with paper clips inserting three leaves of typed notes on the work.

Illustrated with fifty double side pages of photographic illustrations. Collated, complete.

A wonderful history of Georgian cabinet makers, designers, and sellers, from Ralph Edwards and Margaret Jourdain.