An unusual read

One of our clients had a pleasant surprise when a book we had taken to auction for them achieved over 30 times its estimate. The beautifully decorated and ornate book with elaborate tooling and gilding, titled 'Lays of the Land' which was first published by James Nisbet in 1858 and comprised verse from a range of authors, together with black and white Illustrations from Victorian artists. Unbeknownst to the vendor, the book was possibly formerly owned by William Bemrose (1831-1908), whose extensive collection was sold at auction in his Derby home, Elmhurst, in March 1909. The embossed label read 'Bemrose, Derby, International Exhibition 1862', suggest it was shown by the Derbyshire printing firm at the South Kensington world fair.

The wonderful example sold at auction for £2,300