The Pilgrim's Progress "Elstow Edition"
London: John Walker, 1881. Illus. W. Gunston and others, engraved by R. Paterson. 1st ed. thus, octavo, leather binding with Elstow wood panels upper and lower board, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, all edges gilt, b&w plates, index, pp lv, 383. The upper board features on the wood panel an illustration of Bunyan and a gilt facsimile signature, gilt dec title and gilt text: "Warranted made of the oak taken from Elstow Church previous to restoration 1880". The lower board has the same "warranted" text in gilt on the wood. Gilt rules surrounding both wood panels. "Elstow edition" also stated title page and foot of spine. Some rubbing to text on the lower board, upper board bright and clear. Professional restoration to the spine, laid over original leather. Occasional small light mark internally, otherwise clean. Includes biographical memoir. Near-fine condition.
A beautiful and unusual edition of the classic Christian allegory The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (1628 - 1688). Bunyan was born in Elstow (near Bedford) and was baptised at the font at Elstow Abbey church in 1628; hence the signficance of the wood used for this edition. From 1880 to 1882 restoration work was done on the church by architect Thomas Jobson Jackson; the wood would have been removed during the restoration process. This edition therefore holds associations with Bunyan's Christian faith and arguably also with the nonconformism for which he was imprisoned in Bedford for 12 years for his refusal to give up preaching. Bound with Elstow wood panels. Item #103090
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