[Rarebooks] FS - Signed W. J. Phillips

[GREENFIELD BOOKS]

*WATSON, Robert; with wood cut illustrations by Walter J. Phillips, 
A.R.C.A.  /DREAMS OF FORT GARRY/.* With twenty finely-executed woodcuts 
by famed artist W. J. Phillips. Published by the Stovel Company Limited, 
Winnipeg, MB. November, 1931. 1st edition. Slim 8vo, pp. 63.

/Dreams of Fort Garry/ is "an epic poem on the life and times of the 
early settlers of Western Canada, complete with glossary and historical 
notes...". Bound in brown paper over boards, with an embossed title and 
woodcut on the front board. Rough trimmed edges to special stock rag 
content paper. Printed in a limited edition of 968 copies, of which this 
is number 648. /Signed/ by both Robert Watson, and W. J. Phillips. With 
Glossary and Historical Notes at end.

Walter Joseph Phillips (1884-1963) was born in England, and immigrated 
to Winnipeg in 1913, where he taught art and learned the technique of 
etching. He began experimenting with the Japanese method of woodblock 
printing, producing his first complete print in 1917. Known as a fine 
technician and acute observer of his environment, Phillips' images of 
western Canada were widely distributed and collected. In 1943, he moved 
to Banff where he taught and thereafter worked almost exclusively in 
watercolour. Copies of this book are becoming increasingly scarce, as 
during the 60s' and 70s', when Phillips' following began to expand and 
become more aggressive in collecting, copies were routinely broken up to 
mount individually each of the 20 woodblocks. Stories are still told of 
one Winnipeg book dealer (who has now passed from the scene), who was 
seen in his shop on several occasions with scissors and mutilated copies 
of this book, snipping away at each of the exquisite woodcuts.

It is hoped that our copy will meet no such fate. The contents are 
unmarked: no creases or soiling; virtually no age-toning. The boards are 
slightly soiled along the top edge and at the foredge, where it is 
necessary to grip the book when extracting it from the accompanying 
slipcase. Otherwise, the book is in excellent condition. The plain black 
slipcase is a bit worn at the edges, but is still both serviceable and 
presentable.

Price: $750.00.

Terms of sale - the price is in USD and the book is offered subject to 
prior sale. Payment by check or credit card. Packing, postage, and 
insurance charge are included in this special offering. Returnable 
within seven days of receipt if not as described.

 
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Greenfield Books Ltd.
Member: ABAC/ILAB
217 Academy Road,
Winnipeg, MB R3M 0E3 Canada
Toll-free: 866-263-BOOK (2665)
Telephone: 204-488-2023
Web site: http://www.greenfieldbooks.com
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