Ralph Edwards; Margaret Jourdain — Georgian Cabinet-Makers

London, Country Life, 1944 . First edition. Cloth. The illustrated first edition of this fascinating study of the history of cabinet makers, with a letter from the director of the publishing company to Ambrose Heal, a furniture designer himself. The first edition, first impression, in the scarce publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.With a tipped in note to Ambrose Heath to the front free endpaper from Hoalkin, Director of Country Life: 'Dear Sir Ambrose Heal, you very kindly lent us some of your trade cards for reproduction [..] and I am now taking the opportunity of returning them all to you, with our grateful thanks&apos.Ambrose Heal was a British furniture designer, businessman, and key figure in the Arts and Crafts and Modernist movements. Born into the family that owned Heal"s, the London furniture store, he transformed its reputation by designing simple, functional, pieces that contrasted with the heavy Victorian style then in vogue. He was also known for collecting London historical ephemera, including records of tradesmen, goldsmiths, calligraphers, signboards and furniture makers. His inscription appears to the front free endpaper, with a number of ink annotations throughout offering further information, and with paper clips inserting three leaves of typed notes on the work.Illustrated with fifty double side pages of photographic illustrations. Collated, complete.A wonderful history of Georgian cabinet makers, designers, and sellers, from Ralph Edwards and Margaret Jourdain. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. Light shelf wear to back strip tail, otherwise externally excellent. Inscription and tipped in letter to front free endpaper. Dust wrapper back strip age toned, with losses to back strip head and tail and wrap heads, and with handling marks and closed tears to rear wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with the odd spot, and with ink annotations throughout. Rust to head of two leaves where paperclips insert pages of notes. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good/Good.