Nottingham Court Press, London, 1977
Ultra-Limited Deluxe Issue | Copy No. 2 of Only 10 with Original Disappearing Fore-Edge Painting
Full Green Morocco Leather | Signed by Rowena Holden | Original Solander Box
A remarkable deluxe copy of Edith Holden’s beloved The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, published by Nottingham Court Press in 1977 and issued here in one of the rarest special forms of this modern illustrated classic.
This is Copy No. 2 of only 10 copies specially prepared with an original disappearing fore-edge painting, bound in full green morocco leather, signed by Rowena Holden, and housed in the original solander box.
While The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady became one of the most widely admired illustrated nature books of the twentieth century, this deluxe issue is in an entirely different category from the trade edition. It combines fine binding, a hidden fore-edge watercolor, a very small limitation, family association, and unusually attractive presentation.
One of only 10 copies issued with an original disappearing fore-edge painting
This is Copy No. 2
Signed by Rowena Holden, Edith Holden’s great-niece
Full green morocco leather binding
All edges gilt
Original matching solander box
Original hidden fore-edge watercolor
Fine condition throughout
One of the most desirable special issues of this title
The chief distinction of this copy is its original disappearing fore-edge painting.
When the book is closed, the page edges appear simply gilt. When the text block is gently fanned, a finely executed watercolor landscape appears across the fore edge, then disappears again beneath the gilt when the pages are released.
The subject is especially well suited to Holden’s nature diary, turning the volume into both a deluxe illustrated book and a work of book art. Fore-edge paintings are always appealing to collectors, but examples issued in a stated limitation of only ten copies are especially scarce.
Bound in full crushed green morocco leather, with raised bands, gilt spine decoration, gilt-ruled covers, marbled endpapers, and all edges gilt.
The binding is elegant and restrained, allowing the hidden fore-edge painting to remain the book’s great surprise. The volume is housed in its original matching solander box.
This copy is signed by Rowena Holden, Edith Holden’s great-niece, whose rediscovery of the original manuscript and artwork helped bring The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady to publication in 1977.
That family association adds a meaningful connection to the modern history of the book and its rediscovery.
Book: Fine.
The green morocco leather remains fresh and attractive, with bright gilt and strong color. Binding tight and sound. Interior clean and bright.
Fore-Edge Painting: Fine.
The watercolor remains clear and attractive, appearing beautifully when the text block is fanned and disappearing properly beneath the gilt edge when closed.
Solander Box: Near fine.
Original matching box with minor shelf wear and light handling only. Structurally sound and highly presentable.
An exceptional deluxe copy of Edith Holden’s The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady: Copy No. 2 of only 10 copies with an original disappearing fore-edge painting, bound in full green morocco leather, signed by Rowena Holden, and preserved in the original solander box.
A beautiful and genuinely scarce collector’s copy of one of the most beloved illustrated nature books of the twentieth century.