MOSAIC BINDING [ELLIS (GEORGE, editor)] Specimens of the Early English Poets, ruled in red throughout, contemporary brown morocco attributed to Staggemeier & Welcher, ornate mosaic decoration of black and red morocco tiles with gilt floral decorations and interwoven gilt patterns, ruled in gilt, spine gilt-decorated in six compartments, with morocco label lettered in gilt, g.e., watered silk endpapers, upper cover with some slight worm damage, many onlays on spine chipped away, extremities rubbed, 8vo, [T. Rickaby] for Edwards, 1790 Footnotes: This early eighteenth-century French 'mosaic' binding style was resurrected in England at the end of the century by Staggemeier & Welcher. According to Hobson, 'it is extremely probable that some of or all' of the bindings were commissioned by Edwards of Halifax, whom he believed was responsible for the revival in this binding style'. For other comparable bindings see: Abbey catalogue, item 102 (a very similar design); Henry Davis Gift 173 (firmly attributed to Staggemeier & Welcher); Davis 172 (signed by Henry Walther of London); Walters Art Gallery 510. Other examples of Specimens of the Early English Poets exist in near-identical bindings, including the Cortlandt Bishop copy offered in Pirages' catalogues 40 (October 1997) and 42 (November 1998), described as being 'no doubt' by the German binders, and the John M. Schiff copy, Sotheby's New York, 21 July 2022, lot 1020, without attribution. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing