Gordon Bottomley
The Riding to Lithend, 1909
Flansham, Sussex: Pear Tree Press
According to data from Eckert's bibliography of Edward Thomas, this is one of 100 uncolored copies. This copy inscribed by Guthrie on the front endpaper to Helen Beardsell, who published several works with Guthrie.
2256
Small quarto. (vi) (40)pp. Full-page frontispiece, two full-page illustrations, and smaller head- and tail-pieces reproduced from drawings by James Guthrie. Bottomley's one-act verse play opens with a dedication poem to...
Small quarto. (vi) (40)pp. Full-page frontispiece, two full-page illustrations, and smaller head- and tail-pieces reproduced from drawings by James Guthrie. Bottomley's one-act verse play opens with a dedication poem to Edward Thomas, who befriended both Bottomley and Guthrie and was a frequent guest in both men's homes. Set in southern Iceland, the play thematically resembles the Norse sagas translated by William Morris, and features a hero named Gunnar Hamundsson, who the action finds exiled at his home. Both Bottomley and Guthrie admired Morris, and this admiration likely served as the impetus for this work. Includes original drawings by Guthrie for the head- and tailpieces, as well as the caption titling for the full-page plates and closing, with Pear Tree device. Few small bumps to corners, else fine in linen-backed buff boards with intaglio title label on upper cover. Drawings housed in a leather-backed folding case with patterned paper sides, which shows some wear along hinges. The whole contained in a cloth clamshell box with leather lettering piece on spine. Leather book label of noted bibliophile Atmore Beach on front pastedown.


