Limited Edition of fifty copies, signed and numbered.
Distinguished book Award 1996, Miniature Book Society Inc
*This edition is now sold out.*
The Malvern Story relates the fluctuating fortunes of the ancient town of Great Malvern, nestling on the slopes of the Malvern Hills, in Worcestershire, England. The town grew up around a Medieval Priory, founded in the twelfth century by Aldwyn, a monk.
Numerous springs of pure water made the town famous in later years, and today the water is bottled and sent all over the world. It is said to be the Queen’s favourite. The Water Cure brought visitors flocking to the town in Victorian times, including Charles Darwin and the young Princess Victoria herself. Sir Edward Elgar, the noted composer, drew inspiration from the Malvern Hills and it has been home to many artists, writers and musicians over the years. It has been a centre for scientific discoveries and developments including radar, since the establish-ment of a government defense research department there during the war.
Hand bound in rich red leather, in a style dating from Medieval times, the book is sewn on linen cords laced into the covers. Front and back covers are hand gilt with a circular design, and the spine has gilt cords, blind tooled panels and gilt title label. Endpapers are hand-marbled by Ann Muir, and match the slip case. Hand coloured illustrations drawn especially for the book include St. Anne’s Well, the Holy Well, a frontispiece and tailpiece, the Priory Gateway and ornate wrought iron metalwork on Great Malvern Railway Station, as well as a double page pull-out map of the Hills.
Size: 2 ⅞" x 2½" inches approx, inclusive of slipcase, 104 pages, six hand coloured illustrations, two black & white and double page map.