- "INSCRIBED FOR THAT GREAT VICTORIAN ERIC" - SUPERB ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TWO STALWARTS OF VICTORIAN BOOKS -

MCLEAN (Ruari, leading British typographic designer and bibliographic author, as well as a prolific collector of Victorian books, who became an expert and well-known author of works on the subject,1917-2006); QUAYLE (Eric, noted British bibliophile, collector and author, whose books included wrote a bibliography on the works of Victorian adventure writer R. M. Ballantyne, 1921-2001).

Victorian book design & colour printing. 

(London): Faber & Faber, 1863. First edition. xvi, 182pp. Illustrated with many photo plates, mainly b/w but a few in colour. Red cloth, gilt lettering to spine. In dustjacket (laminated, not price-clipped). Contains 7 manuscript letters and notes from McLean to Quayle (two tipped on to the front fly leaf and the rest loose, mainly dated 1964 and 1966, with one from a later period 1996). Presentation inscription on half-title from McLean to Quayle 'Inscribed for that great Victorian Eric (or much by much) by Ruari McLean Cam Cobba Nov. 1985'. Ex-libris 'Eric Quayle' with his bookplate on front pastedown, dated 1964. Size: 8vo (22.2cm x 14.7cm).

Very Good to Good condition. Light rubbing to jacket and binding, minor fraying to head and foot of spine. Slight lean to spine and some darkening along its length. Small spot of foxing to title page and next two leaves. Inner gutter just starting to very slightly strain between page 96 and facing plate. Quayle's manuscript notes to front blank pastedown and a couple of further marginal notes elswehere by him, all in pencil. Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, or view gallery images closely.

A wonderful association copy, linking two stalwarts in the academic study of Victorian books. This work by McLean is still considered the definitive source on Victorian book design. It is a presentation copy from him to fellow bibliophile Eric Quayle with a personal inscription on the half-title. Quayle has inserted 7 manuscript letters and notes (mainly from 1964 and 1966) to him from McLean inside the book (two tipped in, and the rest loose), which shed light on the pair's relationship. Several letters mention books that McLean has recently bought or is looking for, and the prices he has paid.