An Asprey Catalogue dating from 1939. It was actually produced just two weeks after Britain declared war on Germany.
Terracotta coloured paper covers patterned like crocodile skin with vellum spine. Gilt lettering and a royal seal to the front. Gilt lettering to the spine.
Size: 29 x 22 cms or 11 1/2 x 8 3/4 inches.
Page number: 241 with 199 images in black and white and 42 in colour.
Goods offered for sale include dressing cases and their contents, sporting brooches, diamond bracelets and earrings, buttons and studs, charms, ladies and gentlemen’s watches, travelling and modern clocks, boxes, cigar cases, match boxes, reading glasses, compasses, desk sets, rulers, inkwells, leather goods, writing tables, sewing boxes, picture frames, handbags, diaries, libraries, pens, pencils, opera and field glasses,household silver, wedding gifts, challenge cups, shaving tools, coasters and cutlery, Worcester china, glass wear, cigar cases, blankets and throws, mascots, flasks, picnic sets, umbrellas and onyx items.
Condition: Very Good. The cover is slightly worn at the corners. There is some slight damage to the base of the front cover and a white mark on the back. The gilding remains bright on both front and spine. The binding of the book is secure. There is some puckering of the end papers; also some small marks on these. The pages within are clean and fresh, though five are creased at the top corner and marked perhaps by mud. One has a tear about an inch long on the top edge. My impression is that the book might have fallen on the ground at some point and become grubby. Please ask if you wish to see images of this damage.
A fascinating and beautifully presented collection of high end objects. A window into a bygone time.
