Gill, Eric. Clothes. An Essay upon the Nature and Significance of the Natural and Artificial Integuements Worn by Men and Women. Jonathan Cape, London, 1931.

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Description: Gill, Eric. First edition. Extra-illustrated a with a proof wood-engraving, Mellors" by Eric Gill. With ten wood engravings by the author, some full page, with title page image repeated in red on front panel of jacket. 1 vols. 8vo. The Dedication Copy, Inscribed by Gill. Clothes is dedicated "To Prudence", who was Prudence Pelham, a young and beautiful sculptor/apprentice of Gill's, to whom Gill was deeply attracted. Gill found her "stimulating and provocative as well as beautiful. She was then eighteen. He encouraged her interest in art.He indoctrinated her into the mysteries of the male anatomy; Eric Gill's was the first penis she had ever seen. She was a frequent visitor at the Pigotts of this period, sometimes staying for a week or two, working in the workshop alongside Gill's other pupils.She had that English aristocrat's informality. She responded easily to the unknown situation. This was one of the things Gill appreciated in her. He dedicated CLOTHES to her." - MacCarthy, Eric Gill, pp. 250-251. The inscription on the flyleaf, written in ink in Gill's beautiful lettering (which shows the influence of Edward Johnston, Gill's teacher): "P.P. from e.g. June, 1931" Of more than passing interest is the Gill wood engraving ("Mellors") which Prudence Pelham (or Gill himself) must have affixed to the rear endpaper. A fine view of a nude male in profile, it was intended as an illustration to LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER, but, according to Cleverdon's note, was "never used in any edition." It was used, however, as the frontispiece to CLOTHING WITHOUT CLOTH, published by the Golden Cockerel Press in June, 1931 - the same date as this inscription to Pelham. According to Evan Gill, the date of publication of CLOTHES was not until July 6, 1931 -- a month later. Gill Bibliography 22; Physick 727 (engraving). Provenance: George Abrams; Felix Dennis Blue cloth. A very good copy in soiled and torn dust jacket Extra-illustrated a with a proof wood-engraving, Mellors" by Eric Gill. With ten wood engravings by the author, some full page, with title page image repeated in red on front panel of jacket. 1 vols. 8vo

Seller: James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.