[2], 20 pp. + several plates with accompanying text. Illustrated with 68 chromolithographed plates each mounted on heavy stock paper by Owen Jones, with tissue guards; many with accompanying text and/or gilt coloring, including: 33 full-page plates (6 of which are double-page), 14 half-size plates, 7 decorative margin plates (some with initials), 12 decorative initials (some are fairly large), a double column plate, and a headpiece plate; plus an added chromo-illuminated title page bound in; also, 2 wood-engraved plates of several designs. (Folio) 14-3/8x10¼, half red morocco over red cloth all over heavy boards, blind-stamped ornamental compartments, including custom brass edges and ornamental corners, ornamental brass clasp, brass armorial design on front board, widely raised bands, spine lettered in gilt, original beveled edges, all edges gilt. Third Edition.
Third Edition, standard folio issue, with many of the plates mounted over two leaves. Originally published in 1844 (another edition of 1848) without the 1849 dated illuminated title page present here, Henry Humphrey's lavishly produced survey of the art of medieval book illumination is considered “an early masterpiece in the art of chromolithography, this book represents one of the high points in the creative collaboration between Humphreys, the gifted student and practitioner of the medieval art of illumination, and Owen Jones, the master printer and book designer who was one of the pioneers of the use of chromolithography for book illustration. Humphreys, not content to imitate his medieval predecessors, created fresh designs in their spirit, thus producing some of the most attractive of chromolithographic books” - Ray, The Illustrator and the Book in England, p. 145; Muir, Victorian Illustrated Books, p. 155. Scarce in all editions.
Condition:
Norfolk & Norwich Library bookplate on the front board and pastedown. Some rubbing and slight darkening; occasional foxing (not affecting plates); otherwise an unusually bound copy, internally clean and tight; very good to near fine.