THOMSON, Hugh (Illustr.). READE, Charles. Peg Woffington

THOMSON, Hugh (Illustr.). READE, Charles. Peg Woffington. With an Introduction by Austin Dobson and illustrations by Hugh Thomson. London: George Allen, 1899. Crown octavo. First edition, first impression. pp. li, 297, [1]. Original green cloth, spine and front board elaborately decorated in gilt to a floral design, green coated endpapers. All edges gilt. Presentation inscription on half title. Mild foxing to endpapers. All edges gilt. A fine copy.
Popular historical novel about the Irish actress and socialite from the Georgian era. The elaborately ornamented binding design, using elements from nature - in this case, butterflies - to create striking visual patterns, is a beautiful example of the pictorial cloth gift books produced in the late 19th century.