Beaux and Belles of England

This is a stupendously bound set in a limited edition of 26 copies only. It is a biographical panoply of figures straddling the theatre world and also includes members of the English aristocracy. Each illustration is represented in three states. The enamel inlaid decoration is particularly fine.

'Edition Magnifique', limited to 26 copies lettered 'S'; 13 volumes (of 14, without Nell Gwyn), royal 8vo, (240 x 160 mm); each volume has 8 illustrations (in three separate states) including a frontispiece divided by tissue guards titled in red lettering, printed on vellum paper, usual age-toning and spotting to prelims, heavy spotting to Beau Brummel Vol. I and Lady Blessington; uniformly bound in original crushed light-blue morocco inlaid with gilt, red, and dark green florid decoration, decorative boards single-ruled in gilt, gilt top edges, five raised bands with spines gilt-lettered and red and gilt inlay, gilt floral-inlay doublures to pastedowns, green silk moiré endpapers, embossed heraldic emblem to front boards with motto 'Sic Fidem Teneo', each volume housed in a slipcase, exceedingly rare and precious set in overall near fine condition.