Sold by House of Mirth Photos, Easthampton, MA, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since 3 January 2020
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
A most extraordinary assemblage of 62 photographic portraits, landscapes, watercolors, ink drawings, and ephemera, curated by a wealthy and well-connected British eccentric, and bound in bespoke leather. Most of the items that are dated in the album are from the 1930s, with a few from 1950/1951. This unique and extraordinary compilation was the brainchild and decades long project of Edward Charles Le Grice, F.R.P.S. (Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society). There is some information available online about Le Grice, but nothing about this project, surely one of his proudest accomplishments, and probably a pastime which brought him much pleasure. More information on Le Grice is at the end of this description. There are 86 ivory-paper leaves/176 pages, with three sided gilt-edged. 9" w X 11" h X 2.5" d. The binding is unique: the front cover is an embossed brown-calf hard-leather version of Le Grice s own 1910 x-ray photograph of half a dozen seahorses, floating among seaweed. The spine, with embossed golden crosses, says in a pickled Latin "In Memoriam Pulcritudinis" and "Liber Recordationum" ("In Memory of Beauty/Book of Reminders"). On the rear cover, more hippocampi - one embossed, two in silhouette - between shadowy reeds. Given that the assembled images all fit perfectly onto the pages of this album, the works appear to have been commissioned to fit its specific dimensions, and the collection took years to assemble. What is also immediately evident is the wide range of interests of the compiler…and the eventual buyer. Anyone who wishes to possess this unique collection must have the most eclectic and refined of tastes. The album opens with a unique frontispiece: a painted page, done in 1939 but redolent of the illuminations of a medieval monastery; but the typewritten note pasted opposite, on the marbleized inside front cover, explains that this is the work of a prisoner, incorporating numerous heraldic seals, as well as the royal insignia of the city of Norwich (location of the prison). Overleaves uniformly blank, with two exceptions: the first, a closeup of George V, which sits neatly opposite a portrait of Queen Mary; and the penultimate, a small image of the stained-glass windows at Chartres, forming a triptych with two exterior views of the cathedral on the facing page. Another astonishing aspect of this album: the great majority of the pieces are hand-signed, either by the artist of the painting or illustration, or by the subject of the photographic portrait. This is only fitting, as both artists and subjects are quite well-known. Many of the signatures are on their own small paper plate, pasted beneath the portrait. Numerous portraits also have small heraldic symbols as well, pasted on the top edge, usually in the form of a small purple embossed seal. In addition to the seal, and the autograph, many pages have a small typewritten annotation pasted in as well. One hesitates to spoil the surprises that await on every page with an exhaustive list, but obviously an extensive description of the contents is in order: 41 photographs - 18 portraits of dignitaries of Norwich and Norfolk, scientists, clergy, and fellow photographers; the rest of nature and architecture. Apart from Mr. Le Grice, 21 photographers are represented in the collection, 8 of whom were also members of the RPS. Interspersed with the photographs, in wonderfully random order, 16 original artworks are pasted in, and several additional ephemera. Some notable entries: ? A moody landscape photo of a biplane flying the darkened skies over Edinburgh ? A photo of a small bird, dated 1950, described as being "one of the first taken by the new Electronic Flash" ? A photograph, titled "One Winter Evening", that can only be described as a still life: spectacles resting upon an open book, in lamplight, with pipe and matches nearby ? A photo of three young Moslem boys, near an arched doorway, titled "The Sunlit Doorway" - captioned (The Carpet-Sellers Souk, KAIROUA.
Seller Inventory # 867
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described
on the Abebooks web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your
purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if
the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund
within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've
changed your mind about a book that you've ordered, please
use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and
we'll respond within 2 business days.
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, House of Mirth Photos, 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 142, 01027, Easthampton, Massachusetts, U.S.A., +1 4133203830, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or House of Mirth Photos, 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 142, 01027, Easthampton, Massachusetts, U.S.A., +1 4133203830, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (House of Mirth Photos, 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 142, 01027, Easthampton, Massachusetts, U.S.A., +1 4133203830)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 2.25 | £ 4.13 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.
