Anthony Grey 1645-1702

Anthony GREY, 11th Earl of Kent 1645-1702

One of the bookplates of Anthony Grey (British Museum, Franks Collection *37)

Biographical Note

Son of Henry Grey, 10th Earl of Kent, from whom he inherited the title and family estates at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire and elsewhere in 1651.

Books

Grey used two engraved bookplates, dated 1702 (Franks 12827/*37, *35); amended versions of the plate were used by later members of the family. The extent of the family library at the time of his death is not known.

Characteristic Markings

Books with Grey's bookplates (and, often, later Grey family/Wrest Park bookplates) are widely dispersed; they often have late 17th century English bindings of mottled calfskin and heavily gilded spines, in line with a common decorative style of the time.

Sources

• Cokayne, G. E. The complete peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland. London, 1910-59.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J . Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
• Lee, B. N. British bookplates: a pictorial history. Newton Abbot, 1979. 30.
• Maggs (catalogues of the London booksellers Maggs Bros): 1212 (1996)/41.