[HUMPHREYS, Henry Noel (1810-79), chromolithographer)]. The Parables of our Lord, London, 1847, 8vo, chromolithographed throughout, FINELY BOUND in original elaborately embossed morocco on bevelled boards. FIRST EDITION. A FINE COPY.

[HUMPHREYS, Henry Noel (1810-79), chromolithographer)].  The Parables of our Lord. London: Longman & Co., 1847. 8vo (162 x 115mm). Chromolithographed throughout by Henry Noel Humphreys and printed on thick card, initials, the text contained within highly elaborate "illuminated" borders, heightened in gilt. FINELY BOUND in original elaborately embossed dark olive morocco by Hayday on bevelled boards with the title in a gilt oval panel at the centre, the spine with raised bands, gilt edges (very lightly rubbed at edges). The colophon at the foot of the final chromolithographed page states: "In designing the ornaments to the sacred parables contained in this volume the illuminator has sought to render them in each instance appropriate. The work of illumination was commenced on the first day of May in the year of our faith MDCCCXV and terminated on the tenth day of Feb. MDCCCXLVI. HNH" [i.e. Henry Noel Humphreys]. Inserted at the end of the work are 2-pages of plain printed text, dated December 1845, explaining the designs of the illumination, giving them some historical context, and with advertisements for two other similar works from the same press. This leaf is sometimes lacking. Other copies of the same work are recorded in a papier-mâché binding. FIRST EDITION of the first book illustrated in Henry Noel Humphreys' chromolithography. A FINE COPY.