FIRST EDITION. 8vo. (32)pp. Beautifully and expertly illuminated throughout by Owen Jones. Binding by Edwards & Remnants of London, using Leake's patent relievo process for embossing leather in high relief. The front cover with embossed ornamental borders, dot, and line strapwork surround, foliate spandrels, and floral-decorated titling. The rear cover repeats the front except for the title, which is replaced with a floral-decorated monogram. It is said that Edmunds and Remnants were awarded a prize medal for this binding at the great Exhibition of 1851. Delightful inner dentelles in gilt. All edges are gilt. Solomon's Song of Songs is illuminated by Owen Jones in his familiar style, without illustrations. Each page is chromolithographed in two reds, two blues, green, gold, and black. Neat contemporary inscription on the preliminary blank dated Jan 1st, 1857. It reads: "Mrs. Lansdale - A New Year's gift from her affectionate friend, Mrs. R. Gibbs." Nicely and neatly re-backed with a new calf spine and retaining the original cream-coloured endpapers. A trace of wear to the original leather boards and a light dusting of soil else a very good copy. Very good Hardcover. Owen Jones (1808-74) was at the forefront of Victorian medievalist book design. He helped to pioneer chromolithographs. Coloured plates in order. 1. Title page. 2. Illuminated by Owen Jones. 3. The Song of Songs which is Solomon's. 4. "Let him kiss me with the kisses..." 5. "...hath looked upon me, my mother's children..." 6. "We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver." 7. "The beams of our house are of cedar..." 8. "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood..." 9. "The voice of my beloved!..." 10. "The fig tree putteth forth her green figs..." 11. "By night on my bed..." 12. "The watchmen that go about the city..." 13. "...frankincense, with all the powders of the merchant." 14. "Go forth O ye daughter's of Zion..." 15. "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep..." 16. "...get me to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense." 17. "Awake O north wind and come thou south..." 18. "O friends drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved." 19. "...and my fingers with my sweet-smelling myrrh upon the handles of the lock." 20. "My beloved is white and ruddy..." 21. "His mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether lovely..." 22. "My beloved is gone down into his garden..." 23. "There are threescore queens and fourscore concubines and virgins without number." 24. "Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots..." 25. "Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth no liquor..." 26. "I said I will go to the palm tree..." 27. "...pommegranates bud forth, there will I give thee my loves." 28. "I would lead thee and bring thee into my mother's house..." 29. "...is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave..." 30. "Solomon had a vineyard..." 31. "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop the honeycomb..." 32. "finis."