Sometimes the book can mean so much more than just the physical object. It can have an association with a person or persons that lifts it above the ordinary edition.
We are always on the lookout for such items. Perhaps in our world of T.E. Lawrence the object all sublime might be a book from the Clouds Hill library, perhaps but not always bearing the “Clouds Hill” bookplate. They turn up from time to time. At present we have two such in our stock.
However occasionally a volume turns up that is unusual and exciting in its own right, one such is a copy of Suleiman Mousa’s, 1966 “T E Lawrence, An Arab View” being a copy from the library of Arabist, diplomat and TE Lawrence scholar St John Armitage, He had a fine library and was learned, especially on TE Lawrence and St John Philby. He was always helpful in the organisation of exhibitions and conferences. Laid in is a postcard from Mousa as well as other related material. In itself the book is not uncommon, but with the associated item a fascinating “association” copy.
Away from the field of TE, another fascinating item is “Lyric Poetry of Glees, Madrigals, Etc Being a Supplement to the Collection of Clark and Leete and Bellamy”. Published privately in 1911 for the Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Catch Club. This copy is beautifully bound in full black leather being the copy of Sir Edgar Speyer with his name in glorious gilt to the front cover. Speyer, elected to the club in 1903 was a supporter of the musical arts and a friend of several leading composers, including Edward Elgar, Richard Strauss and Claude Debussy. He was chairman of the Classical Music Society for ten years, and he largely funded the Promenade Concerts between 1902 and 1914. His non-musical charitable activities included being honorary treasurer of the fund for Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition. For his philanthropy he was made a baronet in 1906 and a Privy Counsellor in 1909. Speyer is listed in the current membership in this volume. The Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Catch Club was founded in 1761 and became influential in the promotion of music with very many important members whom are listed in this volume. So a further attractive and significant association copy.
We hope to feature other such treasurers from our inventory in the future.