SCOTT, Walter; illuminated by WINDSOR, G. P
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The Fire King. Translated from the German by Walter Scott.
First edition. Artist’s presentation copy - additionally embellished with an original illuminated presentation vignette to the front endpaper addressed to “J Davison”, finely executed in gilt and coloured inks and monogrammed by the artist (”G.P.W.”). 11 unnumbered thick card leaves printed on rectos only, mounted on stubs, with guards, comprising a chromolithographic title page printed in black and gold and finished in colour by hand by G. P. Windsor, followed by 10 chromolithographic leaves in the style of an illuminated manuscript, similarly printed in black with gold borders and again richly coloured and embellished by hand by Windsor. Quarto (23 x 26.5cm). Original morocco grain green cloth over bevelled boards, the boards ruled in gilt, decorative gilt corner devices, and titled in gilt to the upper board, all edges gilt. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with a touch of rubbing to the extremities. The contents with some foxing throughout.
An unusual and beautifully produced edition of Sir Walter Scott’s fantastical ballad ‘The Fire King’, vibrantly embellished throughout by the artist G. P. Windsor, wonderfully blending the art of illumination with chromolithographic printing.
The romantic poem, set during the Crusades, was not as the title suggests ‘translated from the German’, but an original work that Scott provided to M. G. Lewis for inclusion in his ‘Tales of Wonder’ published in 1800.