Accession Number

996.009.001

Description

One in a set of sixteen hardcover books, the cream-coloured vellum spine with incised gilded lettering and red floral decoration, the vellum covers bordered with incised gilded line decoration, the cover page with a textual introduction beneath an illustration of a woman holding a book with two other female figures at her side, following this a document with metallic seal certifying the set as #27 of 100 purchased by James Dunsmuir, his name and separate letter D in gothic font, a purple ribbon secured into the book for marking the pages.

Narrative

This attractive set of books titled “The History of Italian Literature" is self-described as The Edizione Vaticano (Vatican Edition) and was published in 1907. A label inside the cover of this particular book states that the set was limited to one hundred copies and that this particular set was prepared for James Dunsmuir. Many of the books bear the signature of his daughter, Elinor Dunsmuir.

History of Use

This set of books was purchased by Hon. James Dunsmuir. They were inherited by his daughter, Elinor Dunsmuir, and next by her sister, Dola Cavendish (nee Dunsmuir), and then given to Dola’s goddaughter and niece, Judith Marie Kathleen Dolaura Joy (nee Humphreys), who then gave them to her daughter, Jill Kathleen McCann (nee Joy), who gave them to The Castle Society at Craigdarroch.

Date

1907

Dimensions

23.3 x 3.8 x 16 cm

Material

leather, vellum; Paper, cardstock; Paper

Serial Number

21st edition out of 100 sets

Inscription

This certifies that The Edizione Vaticano of The Literature of Italy is limited to one hundred copies and that, this set, consisting of sixteen volumes, was prepared for James Dunsmuir all of which is fully guaranteed by The National Alumni, and in evidence thereof it has caused its seal and the signature of its Secretary to be attached hereto. Rossiter Johnson, Secretary (followed by the affixed seal)
THE NATIONAL ALUMNI INCORPORATED 1904 NEW YORK

Elinor Dunsmuir

Country of Origin

United States of America