[Rarebooks] FS: 1909 Study of English Silver in the Kremlin

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

TITLE: “The Old English Plate of the Emperor of Russia”

By E. Alfred Jones.
Privately printed by W.H. Smith & Son at the Arden Press, Letchworth, and
at XCV Fetter Lane, London, in 1909

DISCUSSION: Noted silver historian E. Alfred Jones’ catalog of the English
(and some European) silver in the Czar’s collection held at the Winter
Palace and the Kremlin. This remarkable collection of pieces, dating from
the late 16th century to the mid-18th, comprised the gifts of a succession
of English monarchs to the Czars of Russia, and preserved many pieces
which might have been melted down and lost during the Commonwealth period,
had they remained in England.

An elegantly composed and very handsomely printed book.

Charles Oman, in his book, “The English Silver in the Kremlin 1557-1663”,
calls Jones' work “an admirable catalogue”, remarking “only occasionally
did [Jones] fail to observe an important detail”. Oman does note that
Jones lacked access to the Kremlin archives which would throw much light
upon the way these pieces came to Russia, but with the Russian Revolution
these archives (and the silver itself) would remain closed to Westerners
for another 50 years after Jones worked there.

E[dward] Alfred Jones [1872-1943] was a prolific writer on antique silver.
 Born in Llanfyllin, Wales, Jones served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
before launching his career as a researcher and writer on all things
antique and antiquarian, most especially silver. One of his specialties
became the compilation of sponsored volumes on the silver of specific
localities, or diocese, including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, the
Cambridge colleges, and American churches, and catalogs of private
collections, such as that of the Duke of Devonshire, Baroness James de
Rothschild, and the Emperor of Russia.  Jones also wrote about furniture,
tapestry, enamels, other art objects, and about Loyalists from the
American Revolution. Jones was a member of the Livery of the Worshipful
Company of Goldsmiths, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and
member of the National Art Collections Fund and of the Contemporary Art
Society, and was awarded honorary M.A. degrees from the University of
Wales and Oxford University. Jones died on August 23, 1943, from injuries
received from a fall during a blackout.

DESCRIPTION: Hardcover. 10.5”x12.5”, lvi + 115 pages, plus 50 black &
white plates. Quarter leather and brown cloth, with gilt spine title, as
issued.

CONDITION NOTES: Covers rubbed along the edges, leather scuffed, spine
head with minor chipping, tips slightly bumped. Contents clean and fine,
hinges tight.

PRICE: $500. -

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