1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding

1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding

1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding

UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFULLY PRODUCED, PRIVATELY COMMISSIONED FOLIO, WITH ETCHINGS IN TWO STATES, ONE SET HAND-COLOURED AND SIGNED BY THE ARTIST, ALL WITHIN A FINE VELLUM BINDING AND HOUSED IN CUSTOM-MADE CALF-COVERED CASE. Some Etchings of Poynters Hall, Totteridge, Herts.

Done in the Year 1926 by S. Original gilt vellum binding, housed in its original custom-made calf-covered case, lined with sheepskin or some form of soft animal fur. Title stamped in gilt on front board, and spine, with gilt borders to boards. Etched title page and 10 etched views - each view in two states (ie 20 in total), 10 of which are hand-coloured and signed by Litten, all pressed on the finest wove paper.

Oblong folio (large sized book - 18in x 12.75in). This is a heavy item weighing over 3kg with packaging. Fine to Near Fine condition.

Box: A little rubbed at edges, with various small and relatively superficial nicks to leather around edges and spine, unobtrusive. Some fraying to silk tie at centre of case (appears to have been trapped in clasp). A little light dirt to lining, but still impressive.

Internally: A little sunning to vellum, minimal wear to gilt on front board. Internally stunning, all plates with tissues intact, and etchings in remarkable condition.

One very small and light stain to margin of one plate well away from image. Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, or view gallery images. It stands as a tribute to the art of private book publishing in the early part of the 20th century, and demonstrates how the very rich from that period were able to indulge their love of fine art and books with their own private commissions such as this. The views are all of or around Poynters Hall in Totteridge, Hertfordshire, the home of the Harmsworth family (it was originally called Poynters Grove when the Paget family owned it).

The title on the front board is'Round About Poynters Hall'. This was Harmsworth's own personal set of Littens etchings, and he spared no expense in the binding and presentation.

There are ten different views, each in b/w and coloured states (so 20 etchings in total), which are listed on the etched title page as - Damson Hill, Totteridge; The Windmill at Barnet Gate; Totteridge Church, Herts; The Orange Tree Inn, Totteridge; The Pond on the Common, Totteridge; The Lily Pond, Totteridge; Poynters Hall From the South; The Clock Tower, Poynters Hall; Poynters Hall, Totteridge, Herts; and Poynters Hall From the Common. Each of the views is in two states, the second of each is hand-coloured and signed in pencil by Litten.

All of the etchings have their original and finely-made tissue guards intact. The hand-coloured etchings have uncut edges. As we hope our photos show to some extent, the etching in both states are stunning; the colouring in the second state is also exquisite.

Clearly no expense was spared in the production of this particular volume. The work is bound in full gilt vellum. Aside from some light sunning to the vellum (as is typical with this type of leather), the binding is in lovely condition.

It is housed in a calf-covered box, the clasp still intact and in working order. There is a silk tie inside the box, and it is lined with a sheep-skin type material to protect the work. Obviously privately commissioned, this is a unique volume, stunning in every respect, and worthy of a place in any library.

We have heard of the occasional set of loose etchings from this work on the market, so presumably a limited print run was ordered by Harmsworth for friends and relatives. Provenance: From Cecil Harmsworth's own private estate sale.

This item is in the category "Books, Comics & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectable". The seller is "kernoozers" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.
1926 Litten 20 etchings of POYNTERS HALL cecil harmsworth LUXURY binding


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