The Oxford Library Sale 7 & 8 February - The John. P. Love Collection

John P Love was Chairman of Francis Edwards, the renowned antiquarian bookseller, from 1944 until his retirement in 1972.

John Percival Love (1896-1974) was born in Canada, schooled in England and Scotland, and began his further education in Germany. This was cut short by the First World War, in which he served with gallantry for three years, earning the Military Cross in 1917.

After the War, he worked in the City before joining Francis Edwards. He married Elsa Edwards, daughter of Francis, in 1929.

Francis Edwards had been founded in 1855, and was inherited by Francis junior in 1875, on his father’s death. The business gained much respect, evolving from a largely theological bookseller to one of a more generalist nature, with a focus on maps, travel and voyages, in particular Australiana.

For more than 100 years, it was based at 83 Marylebone High Street, which was reconstructed in 1909-12 as one of the first purpose-built antiquarian bookshops, and now home to Daunt Books.

The John Love Collection was acquired during his nearly 50 years with Francis Edwards, and includes a number of incunabula, historiated initials, and remarkable binding.

 Lot 568 - 16th Century Italian Three Large Historiated Initials