[FINE BINDINGS]. [CHIVERS, Cedric (1853-1929), binder]. GOLDSMITH, Oliver (1728-1774). The Vicar of Wakefield. London: J. M. Dent, 1904. 8vo. Illustrated with colored frontispiece, title-page and twenty-three colored plates by C. E. Brock. [xviii], 242, [2] pp. In full hand-painted "vellucent"  binding by Cedric Chivers of Bath, spine and front cover in colorful, gilt-stamped architectural design. Front cover and spine feature classical columns, with classical floral ornaments at upper and lower portions of design, rear cover with gilt-ruled plain panel. Top edge gilt, pink marbled endleaves, pastedowns with inlaid darker pink marbled panels. FIRST EDITION OF THIS VERSION ILLUSTRATED BY BROCK, IN A SUPERB, HAND-PAINTED "VELLUCENT" BINDING BY CEDRIC CHIVERS OF BATH. 

Cedric Chivers developed the technique of "vellucent binding," whereby an artist would paint on a thin surface, and a sheet of vellum, shaved to translucent thinness, was laid over it, with the result bound over boards. The significant achievement is that "for the first time in the history of the bibliopegistic art the actual work of the artist, undiluted by a translation through the hands of mechanics, is here visible in the decoration of the book" (Chivers catalogue, Books in Beautiful Bindings). 

Boards very lightly curved, binding a bit toned, text very lightly toned. Near fine.