Black Basalt: Wedgwood and Contemporary Manufacturers, Diana Edwards — 1st Ed
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Publication: Woodbridge, Antique Collectors' Club, 1994
Formatting: 4to, pp. 334.
Condition Report: Near Fine. The book presents exceptionally well in its original blue cloth boards, remaining sharp-cornered with bright, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine and upper board. The binding is tight and square, showing no signs of shelf-wear, bowing, or structural lean. Internally, the heavy textblock is remarkably clean, crisp, and bright, remaining completely free of foxing, toning, or extraneous markings. The original high-gloss pictorial dust jacket is equally well-preserved, remaining vivid and unclipped, and is housed in a protective Mylar sleeve to ensure its continued immaculate state.
Catalogue Note: First Edition. This comprehensive reference work remains a vital resource for collectors and historians of English ceramics. It is extensively illustrated throughout with twenty-four colour plates and over 500 black-and-white photographs, many of which had never been published prior to this volume.
While copies of this title do circulate on the open market, finding an example in such a well-preserved state, without the usual sunning to the jacket spine or handling wear to the heavy text block, makes this a highly desirable addition to any ceramicist's or antiquarian's reference library.
This volume serves as the first definitive catalogue in English on black basalt in over eighty years, reflecting an increasing interest in these unusual black wares. Diana Edwards’ rigorous scholarship highlights the prominence of Josiah Wedgwood as the principal developer of this material, whilst also providing crucial historical antecedents and identification guides for over 170 other contemporary manufacturers who sought to emulate his success during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Book Condition: Near Fine
Book Authors: Diana Edwards
Book Publisher: Antique Collectors' Club
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: Collectables
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 334
Book Publication Year: 1994
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Woodbridge, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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