Flint, Sir William Russell.

printer's dummy comprising a combination of leaves in Flint's autograph (9), typescript often with autograph revisions (52), letterpress proofs (3), monochrome photogravure proof illustrations (26), colour gravure proof illustrations (1), and photographs (1), mounted in a volume, with additional printer's instructions in pencil, mostly in Flint's autograph, title-page with note in blue pencil ("Stanbrook Copy"), altogether c.140 pages, folio, c.1964-66, in blue morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, blind double fillet panel with small gilt star cornerpieces, upper cover with gilt centrepiece of three female dancers and a key device, in a blue slipcase, adhesive tape marks, spine lightly sunned, slight damage at top of spine

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

mock-up of one of flint's late works with extensive revisions throughout. The Lisping Goddess: A Figurehead Fantasy was published in 1968 in an edition of 275 by the Stanbrook Press, the press run by the Benedictine nuns of Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester. This copy was used by the nuns in preparing the book for the press. Stanbrook also published many of Siegfried Sassoon's late works (see lots 119 to 127).

The book was a fantasy written and illustrated by Flint, inspired by the large collection of merchant naval figureheads assembled by Sydney Cumbers and housed in the lower deck of the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London. The figureheads were not damaged in the fire that devastated the Cutty Sark in May 2007.