Charles Lamb — A Masque of Days

London, Cassell & Company LTD, 1901. First edition. Cloth. One of the popular tales of Charles Lamb, this edition beautifully illustrated by Walter Crane with colourful illustrations to every page. The first edition thus, being the first time this work was published separately from 'Last Essays of Elia&apos.Beautifully illustrated in colour throughout by eminent Arts and Crafts artist Walter Crane. This volume is colourful and whimsical in his distinct and influential style, with colour illustrations to every page. His drawings for this work draw fashion inspiration from a wide range of eras and style, with examples of Jacobean, Regency, and Mediaeval fashions.In the original scarce unclipped dust wrapper.The text is bound with pages folded in the Japanese style.A charming short story depicting a New Year's party by the essayist Charles Lamb, who is best known for his 1823 'Essays of Elia', and his 'Tales From Shakespeare', co-authored with his sister.Prior owner's gift inscription to the recto of the front endpaper, dated Christmas 1901.Collated, complee. In the original publisher's quarter cloth binding with paper to the boards, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, smart. Light rubbing to the extremities. A little discolouration to the extremities of the boards, and very light rubbing to the pictorial boards. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Prior owner's gift inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. A few scattered spots to the endpapers. Dust wrapper is edge worn with chips to the head and tail of the spine, head of the front wrap, tail of the rear wrap, and a smaller chip to the tail of the front wrap, with closed tears. Light handling marks to the wraps. Spine is a little age-toned, with one small tide mark. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Walter Crane. Very Good Indeed/Good.