1967 Four Oaks Farm; Four Oaks Library

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Limited Edition, Publishers' Original Binding, With Slipcase

Two volumes, first editions of a limited edition set designed by P. J. Conkwright; Four Oaks Farm limited to one-thousand copies, Four Oaks Library limited to one-thousand two hundred copies.  Edited by Gabriel Austin. 

Featuring numerous black and white photographic plates. Homed in the original publisher's marbled slipcase.

An illustrated work documenting the residence of Mary and Donald Hyde at Four Oaks Farm in Branchburg, New Jersey, together with a history of their library, known for being one of the largest private collections of eighteenth century literature, particularly with the works of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell among others. 

Mary Morley Crapo Hyde Eccles, Viscountess Eccles was a book collector and author. 

Loosely inserted is a Four Oaks Farm card inscribed by Mary Hyde: 'These two volumes were recently printed as a tribute to my husband. He felt greatly honoured to have been a member of the Roxburghe Club and looked forward to presenting his volume to the Club. Since that work can now be made, I would like you to have this short history of our library - it may have in trust.' 

Also inserted is a postcard with illustration of the library inscribed by Mary Eccles (Mary Hyde) to a Mr. Dobson: 'Forgive me! I am so sorry about the terrible mistake on my Christmas card envelope - it must have been a shock to see the word - painful. Oh dear, I just asked the wrong person and received the wrong information. / Your promise of the Roxburghe Club History is tantalising. I walk every day in the mail for a packet from Joek Murray. Maybe he has sent it to Barton Street and its being held there: well, we shall be in London soon. David flies there January 30th and I follow on mid-February! It will be lovely to be there. All good wishes.'