Clothes. An Essay upon the Nature and Significance of the Natural and Artificial Integuments Worn by Men and Women

Gill, Eric

Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1931

About this Item

Gill, Eric. First edition. Extra-illustrated a with a proof wood-engraving, "Mellors" by Eric Gill. With ten wood engravings by the author, some full page, with title page image repeated in red on front panel of jacket. 1 vols. 8vo. Clothes is dedicated "To Prudence," a.k.a. Prudence Pelham, a young and beautiful sculptor/apprentice of Gill's, to whom he was deeply attracted. Gill found her "stimulating and provocative as well as beautiful. She was then eighteen. He encouraged her interest in art. He indoctrinated her into the mysteries of the male anatomy; Eric Gill's was the first penis she had ever seen. She was a frequent visitor at the Pigotts of this period, sometimes staying for a week or two, working in the workshop alongside Gill's other pupils. She had that English aristocrat's informality. She responded easily to the unknown situation. This was one of the things Gill appreciated in her. He dedicated CLOTHES to her." (MacCarthy, Eric Gill, pp. 250 251). The inscription on the flyleaf, written in ink in Gill's beautiful lettering (which shows the influence of Edward Johnston, Gill's teacher): "P.P. from e.g. June, 1931." Of more than passing interest is the Gill wood engraving ("Mellors") which Prudence Pelham (or Gill himself) must have affixed to the rear endpaper. A fine view of a nude male in profile, it was intended as an illustration to Lady Chatterly's Lover, but, according to Cleverdon's note, was "never used in any edition." It was incorporated, however, as the frontispiece to Clothing Without Cloth, published by the Golden Cockerel Press in June, 1931 the same date as this inscription to Pelham. According to Evan Gill, the date of publication of Clothes was not until July 6, 1931 a month later. Gill Bibliography 22; Physick 727 (engraving). Provenance: George Abrams; Felix Dennis Blue cloth. A very good copy in soiled and torn dust jacket Extra-illustrated a with a proof wood-engraving, "Mellors" by Eric Gill. With ten wood engravings by the author, some full page, with title page image repeated in red on front panel of jacket. 1 vols. 8vo. Seller Inventory # 367779

Bibliographic Details

Title: Clothes. An Essay upon the Nature and ...

Publisher: Jonathan Cape, London

Publication Date: 1931

Binding: Soft cover

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First edition.