The Gentlest Art E V Lucas 1908 Fourth Ed Gilt Illustrated
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
The Gentlest Art: A Choice of Letters by Entertaining Hands
Edited by E. V. Lucas
Fourth Edition, Published February 1908
First published October 1907
London: Methuen & Co., 36 Essex Street W.C.
Printed by Morrison & Gibb Limited, Edinburgh
xvi + 422 pages
Crown 8vo
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
The Gentlest Art is a celebrated Edwardian anthology of literary letters, gathering correspondence from some of the most distinguished figures in English literary and social history, including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Keats, Byron, Shelley, Charles Lamb, Horace Walpole, Edward FitzGerald, Stevenson and many more.
Published at the height of early 20th-century enthusiasm for literary personality and private correspondence, the book reflects the era’s fascination with intimacy, wit, and the cultivated art of letter-writing.
Methuen editions of this period are especially admired for their craftsmanship, decorative gilt cloth, fine typography, and illustrated endpapers, making them highly collectable examples of Edwardian publishing.
 
About the Editor
Edward Verrall Lucas (1868–1938) was a distinguished English essayist, biographer and editor, closely associated with the works of Charles Lamb and the English literary tradition. Lucas was widely respected for his sensitive editorial judgement and elegant prose style.
His anthologies remain collected for their literary taste and Edwardian refinement.
 
About the Illustrator
The illustrated pastedowns and free endpapers are by F. D. Bedford (1864–1954), a noted British illustrator associated with decorative book design in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Bedford’s work adds considerable aesthetic appeal and collector value, particularly in Methuen publications where decorative elements were integral to the book’s charm.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Bound in original blue cloth over boards and spine.
Decorated with ornate gilt illustrations to front board, gilt lettering to front and spine, gilt borders, and top edge gilt pages.
The binding remains intact and robust.
Wear includes:
Light marks
Light discolouration and fading to spine
Rubbing at edges including spine edges
Light crease to rear board
Bumping to corners
An attractive and elegant Edwardian gilt cloth volume with excellent shelf presence.
No dust jacket.
 
Interior Condition
Illustrated pastedowns and free endpapers by F. D. Bedford.
Light foxing to pastedowns and endpapers.
Pages lightly tanned and very slightly roughly cut at edges.
Pen inscription to title page:
“E. Colston Williams Nov. 18. 1908.”
Possibly the later Dr. E. Colston Williams, Medical Officer of Health for Glamorgan C.C., though not definitively confirmed.
No further pen or pencil internally.
Pages are overall neat and clean with only very occasional small marks or light foxing, with the text still being legible.
Predominantly uncreased, with only occasional light creases.
A large handful of pages have small inner margin edge rips, not affecting text.
All pages secure.
Complete: xvi + 422 pages present and accounted for.
 
Physical Details
Approx. 17.5 x 11.1 x 2.1 cm
Weight: approx. 266g
Compact, refined Crown 8vo format.
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
Fourth edition, published only months after first issue, reflecting immediate popularity.
Desirable features include:
Decorative gilt Methuen binding
Top edge gilt
Bedford illustrated endpapers
Early 1908 printing
Literary anthology of major authors
While not rare, this is a highly collectable Edwardian literary volume in attractive condition.