James Laver — A Stitch in Time; or, Pride Prevents a Fall

London, Nonesuch Press, 1927. Hardback. A limited Nonesuch edition of James Laver's poem 'A Stitch in Time', in the original dustwrapper. In the original unclipped dustwrapper. A limited edition work, being numbered edition 1397 of 1525. 'A Stitch in Time' is James Laver's pastiche poem of Alexander Pope's 'The Rape of the Lock&apos. The poem is set in contemporary to the time of writing, and a sequel was published two year's later, 'Love's Progress&apos. Laver was a author, critic, and curator, being the Keeper of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum. He is possibly best known for his contributions to fashion history, discussing the influence of economic and social factors on the development of fashion. He also created 'Laver's Law, a cycle of fashion change and general attitude towards a certain style or period. The Nonesuch Press specialised in limited edition and private press. They were founded by Francis Meynell, his second wife Vera Mendel and their friend David Garnett. Their aspiration was for their publications to be aligned with the same aesthetic standards as the private press movement. They were unusual as they used a small Albion press to design the books, but had them printed by commercial printers. In doing so, books with the quality of a fine-press were produced, but available to a wider audience at lower prices. Bookplate to the recto to the front endpaper, belonging to Melville Russell Cooke. In the publisher's original paper covered board with dustwrapper. Externally, generally smart. Some discolouration and spotting to the boards, with light bumping to the extremities. Dustwrapper with some loss to the spine, joints, and head of the spine. Edgewear to the dustwrapper, with a couple of small chips to the extremities. Discolouration to the reverse of the dustwrapper. Bookplate to the recto to the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean, with just the very odd spot to the endpapers. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed/Good.