Iain Moncreiffe and Don Pottinger; Set of 3 of their 'Cheerfully Illustrated' series; Simple Heraldry, Simple Custom, and Blood Royal, 1953-1956
A charming and well-illustrated trio of mid-twentieth-century books on heraldry, custom, and monarchy by Iain Moncreiffe of Easter Moncreiffe, with illustrations by Don Pottinger, both closely associated with the Scottish heraldic establishment. Written in an accessible and often witty style, these books were designed to introduce heraldry, social custom, and royal genealogy to a general readership, and are celebrated for Pottinger’s distinctive and imaginative illustrations. Together they form a highly attractive and cohesive group, reflecting a distinctive moment in post-war Scottish historical and heraldic publishing.
The full authors' names are described as: Iain Moncreiffe of Easter Moncreiffe O. St. J., M.A., LL.B., F.S.A. Scot., Advocate, Falkland Pursuivant-Extraordinary; and; Don Pottinger, M.A., D.A., Herald Painter Extraordinary to the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms.
The set comprises:
Simple Heraldry, Second Edition, 1953 (following the first printing in the same year);
Simple Custom, First Edition, 1954; and;
Blood Royal, First Edition, 1956.
All published by Thomas Nelson and Sons Limited, Edinburgh. A complete set of Moncreiffe and Pottinger’s illustrated Nelson volumes of the 1950s
A good set of these red cloth hardbacks with gilt titles to spine, and gilt illustration to front cover. In good dustjackets with some wear and nibbles to extremities. Some age toning and markings. Each jacket carries a small white previous owner's sticker to the lower left corner of the front cover. The jackets are now housed in clear, removable, protective plastic sleeves.
Text is very good throughout - bright and clean with mild age toning and occasional spotting. With mild offsetting and spotting to endpapers. A couple of gaps to the gutter in 'Blood Royal'.
Wonderfully illustrated throughout.
Text in English.
All with 64pp per book.
Dimensions: Each volume approximately 250 mm high x 192 mm wide x 14 mm deep.
Weight approximately 1.2kg, (the set - unpacked).