GOSSIP FROM A MUNIMENT ROOM: BEING PASSAGES IN THE LIVES OF ANNE AND MARY FYTTON, 1574 TO 1618

London: David Nutt, 1897. 216 x 178 mm. (8 1/2 x 7"). 2 p.l., [v]-xii, 156, [4] pp.
LOVELY AND ANIMATED BROWN MOROCCO, ELABORATELY GILT AND INLAID IN A MODIFIED "COTTAGE ROOF" DESIGN, BY HENRY WOOD (signed on front turn-in), covers bordered with fillets and dogtooth roll, arrow and drawer-pull cornerpieces, an inlaid black morocco frame peaked at ends and sides (providing the stylized "cottage" element), the black inlay with much gilt elaboration, including scrolling foliate endpieces, sidepieces, and inner cornerpieces, as well as very long and elegant floral sprays extended toward the center from above and below and enclosing a very intricate lozenge centerpiece with scrolled foliation, acorns, and crowns above crossed scepters; raised bands, spine gilt in compartments featuring foliate sprays at corners and floral centerpiece, ornate gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Original gilt cloth wrapper, diapered, with center escutcheon and alternating rose or fleur-de-lys tool in compartments, bound in at front. In a fine fleece-lined brown quarter morocco clamshell case with raised bands and gilt titling. Initials, headpieces, and device on title page, and three plates. ◆Slight foxing in fore margin of a few leaves at front, lower edge of two leaves trivially frayed, but A VERY FINE COPY IN A SPLENDID, VIRTUALLY PRISTINE BINDING.

This is a splendid binding in every way, a fine example of the considerable expertise of Henry Wood, who worked as a finisher for Zaehnsdorf for 12 years while developing the impressive technique on full display here. In 1890, Wood went out on his own, continuing to execute bindings to a high standard that ranked with the work of Sangorski & Sutcliffe, Riviere, and his former employer. Prideaux notes in "Modern Bookbindings" that he never "sought the heavy expenses and responsibilities of a large undertaking," being "content with a personal business in which" he himself had "always taken an active part." The binding here is so well executed and so animated that it is easy to lose sight of the considerable interest residing in the text. Letters written to Anne Fytton (or "Fitton") in the Age of Elizabeth and James I are here published, framed by a commentary which brings to life the story of Anne and her notorious sister Mary. The curious title derives from the discovery of the letters in the muniment room at Arbury, Anne's home, which had been inherited by our author's husband, Anne's descendant Sir Edward Newdigate-Newdegate. Anne Fytton (1574-1618) was married to Sir John Newdigate and lived quietly in the country with her growing family, while her younger sister Mary (1578-1647) led a scandalous life at court, becoming pregnant out of wedlock and eventually marrying a rogue. Various correspondents report on court intrigue to Anne, and there are a number of interesting letters here that Anne wrote to her steward, giving a picture of everyday life at Arbury..