Philip James — Early Keyboard Instruments, from Their Beginning to the Year 1820

London, Peter Davies Ltd, 1930 . First edition. Cloth. A presentation copy of the first edition of Philip James's history of keyboard instruments, with a tipped in signed letter from the author to furniture designer Ambrose Heal. A presentation copy of the first edition, first impression, in the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.Tipped in to the front free endpaper is a signed letter from the author to to 'My dear [Ambrose] Heal [..] it is very kind of you to say such nice things about my book, and your assistance was of immense value to me, and contributed largely towards the fullness of the list of makers at the end&apos.With the inscription of Ambrose Heal to the front free endpaper, and numerous ink annotations from Heal, offering additional contextual information, throughout, alongside a small number of tipped in notes.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. Illustrated with a frontispiece and sixty-five images on plates. Collated, complete.A wonderful history of early keyboard instruments from Philip James, who worked first as Keeper at the V&A, and then was appointed Librarian at the Royal Academy of Arts, a position he held until his death in 1974. In the publisher's original cloth backed paper covered boards, with unclipped dust wrapper. Spotting to cloth portion of binding, with boards bright. Tipped in letter and inscription to front free endpaper. Dust wrapper age toned to back strip, with small losses of paper to back strip head and tail, and small closed tear to rear wrap head. Light edgewear to front wrap head. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with spotting and instances of foxing, and with annotations and inscriptions throughout. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good/Very Good.