Alfred Austin — Lamia&Apos;S Winter-Quarters

[London], A. & C. Black, [1907]. Cloth. A charming illustrated edition of Alfred Austin's 'Lamia's Winter-Quarters' copiously illustrated throughout. Written by the English poet and journalist who succeeded Alfred Tennyson as Poet Laureate in 1896, 'Lamia's Winter-Quarters' is an account of a sojourn in a Tuscan Villa above Florence, described in poetry and prose. Collated, complete with sixteen illustrated plates by the English artist and illustrator George Samuel Elgood, who was best known for his paintings of formal gardens. The copy also features head and tail pieces throughout the volume, taken from pen and ink drawings by William Scott. The title page of this copy is detached and missing, and hence has been dated using Copac. This copy features four pages of publisher's advertisement to the rear. In a red cloth binding with gilt title and decorative border to front board and spine. Externally, generally smart. Very slight rubbing to extremities. Slight bumping to head and tail of spine, resulting in small closed split to head of spine. Small closed split to head of joints, more severe to rear joint. Sunning to spine. Sunning to upper extremity of front board, and upper extremity and fore edge of rear board. Ink inscription by prior owner to front free-endpaper. Faint offsetting to endpapers. Internally, generally firmly bound, slightly strained in places. Title page detached, not present. Pages generally bright and clean. Light spots to fore edge, affecting the occasional page. Pages age toned to edges with the occasional light handling mark. Small closed tear to gutter, first page of publisher's advertisement. Fair . Ill.: George. S. Elgood; William Scott. Fair .