signed
by Thornton, James, President
Large quarto. 9 x 11 inches. A superb full crushed brown morocco binding by Chivers, featuring a center painted inlaid design in colors, stunning inlaid mother of pearl insets, each surrounded by gilt, gilt dots in the center design as well as outside, onlaid darker morocco and background and many concentric ruled rectangular lines of different shapes on front cover. Rear cover with similar geometric gilt and blindstamping. A very fine calligraphic presentation testimonial in thankfulness for Thornton's service in the House of Commons, titled on front cover, ìTo Harcourt Johnstone, Esq.î The interior is comprised of two pages of facing calligraphic text in ink on vellum, illuminated in gold and colors with stylized Celtic entrelac borders, headlines, and initials. The text, entirely hand-calligraphed in beautiful symmetry )intermixed with bold gilt nailhead) extols Harcourt JohnstoneÃs political service in 1928-29. The manuscript is signed by the senior officials of the "Westbury Division of Wilts, including James Thornton, the President of the Wiltshire Society. A choice custom piece created in the last years of ChiverÃs life.â Very fine condition.
(Inventory #: 6417)