[Rarebooks] Private Press ephemeral material

[Edward Ripley-Duggan]

1. A collection of working proofs for one of Gere's illustrations 
from the Ashendene Press Fioretti, 1922. According to an old typed 
envelope included, these were sent by Emery Walker, the printer, to 
St. John Hornby. These are not to be confused with later impressions 
from the blocks that sometimes show up. Several of these show 
substantive variations, as follows (the information is taken from the 
enclosure). The letters referred to are marked in pencil in the lower 
left corner. There are a further two sheets on a cheap proofing stock.

A. outline of friar thickened, slight alteration in frame lines
B. Block direct from Gere's drawing
C. Facsimile rendering

One proof with ink alterations in frame, some proofs not identified 
in any way. A total of six sheets of Aldwych paper (from the 
watermark), with seven repetitions of the image, some with subtle 
differences as noted. Aldwych handmade is commonly associated with 
books made in the 'teens. The pencil notations on the rear are 
possibly in Walker's hand. $250

2. Ashendene Press. Quarto signature, folded but uncut, comprising 
all 8 pp. of the text (but not the preliminaries) for "Hymns and 
Prayers for use in the Marriage of Michael Hornby and Nicolette Ward 
at St Margaret's Church, Westminster. November xv, mcmxxviii. Note 
that the signature does not include the title (imprinted on the 
wrappers) or the colophon, which fell on the signature at the end of 
the book. An unfolded specimen signature from the Press is, it may be 
argued, distinctly uncommon. Item XI of the ephemera in Hornby's 
Bibliography. $100

3. Officina Bodoni. The prospectus, immaculate, for the "L'Oleando" 
of D'Annunzio, Officina Bodoni, Verona, 1936.  This is one of the 
masterpieces of the press. Single folded sheet, 4pp., the center 
bifolium reproducing a spread from the book. $75
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