The Book of Ballads
London: Wm. S. Orr and Co., 1845. First edition. Hardcover. Fine. Item #22308 .
12mo. (14), 152pp. Finely bound by BIrdsall of Northampton and London in full scarlet morocco. Spine in six compartments, gilt; gilt rules on the boards; gilt inner dentelles; all edges gilt; marbled endpapers; original covers bound in at rear. Chromolithographed frontispiece and title. Illustrated by Alfred Crowquill, A fine copy in a fine binding.
The BIrdsall firm began in 1792 with the purchase by William Birdsall of John Lacy's bookbindery in Northampton. William's great-nephew, Anthony, bought the business in the 1840's and with his son Richard made it into one of the better binderies. The firm offered popular standard bindings as well as deluxe bindings and restoration work. After the second world war business declined. When it closed in 1961 is was the oldest firm in Northampton with an international reputation for fine binding and restorations.
Price: $500.00