RAVILIOUS, Eric (Illustrator). J.M. RICHARDS (author). High Street London: Country Life Ltd., 1938.
8vo. Original flat-backed very dark green pictorial boards with a wrap-around graphic design by Eric Ravilious; pp. [iv], 5- 100, [iv]; strikingly illustrated with a large wood-engraved title-page design and 24 stunning full-page lithographs printed in colours; a very good copy indeed and unrestored, unlike so many copies, a little foxing mainly to endpapers but also to edges, plates clean; previous owner's signature to ffep; boards rubbed at corners and spine tips and a little along the edges, with a chip to the head of spine; lacking the incredibly scarce 'transmatic' dustwrapper; scarce, and keenly sought.
Sole edition (until a recent facsimile) of this masterpiece of the lithographer's art. Shops were in Ravilious’ blood; his father had run a draper's and, later, an antiques' shop. In undertaking this commission the artist searched for the unusual on the high street and in the end drew scenes from twenty-four outlets. His friend, J.M. Richards, was asked to supply the informative text, which was aimed at both children and adults. The title was supplied by Gwyneth Lloyd-Thomas, a friend of Edward Bawden’s wife Charlotte.
The shops featured include "Family Butcher", "Coach Builder"; "Theatrical Properties"; "Submarine Engineer"; "Amusement Arcade", "Oyster Bar" and "Cheesemonger" (namely Paxton and Whitfield, which quite remarkably still operates out of Jermyn Street).
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