[The Craftsman's Guild | Illuminated] An Elegy in a Country Churchyard

Gray, Thomas. An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. Boston: Craftsman's Guild, 1901. 4to.  From the colophon: “Each Letter, Initial and Border of this book was drawn by Herbert Gregson; the whole being printed without the aid of type...Each book has been illuminated by a member of The Guild". Limited to 150 copies bound in half vellum (another 10 copies in full levant), of which this is #7. Illuminated by Dorothy Copley, signed by Herbert Gregson. Printed on Japan vellum on rectos, all pages beautifully illuminated and each initial painted in gold. Vellum spine with dark gray paper covered boards with cover design and lettering in black, gilt lettering on vellum. Measures approx. 8.75" x 11.25". Rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, vellum spine slightly soiled. Some spotting and wear to boards. Japan vellum leaves lightly browned.

"The Craftsman's Guild, which flourished briefly at the turn-of-the-century, was...dedicated to 'the revival of the early book and missal illuminating of the monastic period.' Established by William Osgood Grover at 21 Cornhill, the Guild strove to produce books that would 'represent a personality and show the loving care of an artist's hand, where every detail would reveal the beauty of the human touch'" (Artists of the Book in Boston, 1890-1910).