Collections of an Only Child: Seventy Years a Bibliophile, the Library of Justin G. Schiller

London: Privately printed for Mr & Mrs F.T. Davies, 1891. Publisher's personal extra-illustrated copy. 4to. Illustrated with 17 plates (including nine signed in pencil by the artist); extra-illustrated with a partial Caxton Head catalogue bound in at rear and with nine pages of various related printed and autograph material, also bound in at rear, including autograph letters, clipped signatures, and other printed ephemera related to the Davies's charitable efforts. Original presentation binding of full brown levant, stamped in gilt, joints expertly repaired; top edge gilt, other edges trimmed; gilt dentelles; marbled endpapers; by Morrell; Herbert Percy Horne-designed book-plate of F.T. Davies on front paste-down; scattered offsetting.

A handsome, unique, and extra-illustrated copy of this charming work featuring illustrations from some of the period's most popular illustrators; published by English philanthropists Eleanor and Frederick Trehawke Davies to raise money for "the poor of St Pancras".

This copy features nine plates signed by the contributing artists, including Louis Wain (his contribution depicting his famous cats), Joseph Pennell, Selwyn Image, and others. At rear are tipped-in autograph letters from two of the contributors, including Image, as well as Austin Dobson, being a manuscript of his introductory poem printed at the front. The printed material largely relates to the 1897 Smoking Concert, given by the Solicitor's Managing Clerks' Association, of which Mr. Davies was President, and that was organized by he and his wife. This includes a printed program and guest list for the event; a silk print executed by Image, showing the program's device; as well as newspaper reports regarding the event, with clipped signatures of four attendees, and an autograph letter from Sir Francis Jeune.