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This is the undated (most likely the 1909 printing) E. P. Dutton & Co. publication of L. Cranmer-Byng’s edited translations, “A Lute of Jade, Being Translations from the Classical Poets of China” (116 pages), finely bound by Stikeman and Co. for Brentano’s, as indicated by the gold stamps to the bottom borders of the front and back inside covers.
The cover (app. 6.5″ b 4.75″), dark red morocco with 5 raised bands, tooled hinge decorations extending from the bands into the front and back covers, gilt title and translator lettering on the spine, is in near fine condition, with a few surface scuffs, but no notable stains, tears or creases.
There are several raised dots on the spine. They appear to be gilt, which indicates to me they are design devices. However, I may be wrong and they may be paint or like flaws that have attached themselves to the spine. The front and back covers have incised black border lines.
The spine is straight and securely attached. The outside corners are not bumped. There is light foxing to the outside and bottom page edges. This is not prominent. The gilt top edges show no such marks and no other flaws.
The inside cover spreads, with gilt-decorated cover borders and the ghost impression of that to the front end page, have no stamps or other attachments, no writing or notations. The pages are clean throughout the book, with no attachments, writing, stains, tears or creases. All the text is clean and unfaded. The binding is tight, with no loose or missing pages.
The accompanying photos are of this copy.
Shipping | No fee for US shipping. International buyers should note this would be sent priority insured mail, with a shipping charge of $45.00.