commentaries 1928 comprising easter commentary (1 Ergebnisse)

illustrations throughout by W.M. Hendy, those to first volume with colour-printing in green and pink, the second volume with printing in blue and orange, each with a folding plate (that to first volume slightly wonky), pp. 12; 12, crown 8vo, contemporary binding for presentation in russet calf, decorative gilt border to both boards, the upper board with gilt-lettering ('Commentaries 1928, to Colonel C. Wyld from H. Stuart Menzies'), the backstrip and upper board a shade faded, a little wear and rubbing to extremities, the upper board with a few faint waterspots, a.e.g., marbled endpapers, good. Inscribed also on the initial blank: 'The Commentaries of 1928, With best wishes for Xmas & the New Year, to Col. C. Wyld from H. Stuart Menzies, 1928'. A superb association copy. The recipient was the Managing Director at Fortnum, who had overseen a revival at the luxury department store, including conceiving and commissioning these mail-order catalogues from the Stuart Advertising Agency founded by Menzies. 'Issued after wine' (a small amount of which, the paler variety, may have been spilt on the binding here) from the firm's 'enhanced premises' in Piccadilly (which had recently been re-built to a Neo-Georgian design), they are full of comic verve - with no opportunity missed, between Menzies' copywriting and Hendy's decorations, for sport and humour in the presentation of its various products for the respective seasons.