[Rarebooks] FS: Exceptional binding by Anthony Gardner with explanatory colophon and letter

[Charles Agvent]

HARRIS, Mark [ANTHONY GARDNER]. SOMETHING ABOUT A SOLDIER in a fine 
custom binding by Anthony Gardner. New York: MacMillan, 1957. First 
Edition. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author on the front endpaper in 
1961 for collector Saul Shapiro, whose bookplate is on the front 
pastedown. Mr. Shapiro collected signed Modern First Editions with a 
Jewish connection (the author, a character, subject matter, etc.) which 
he would have signed by the author and then rebound by a variety of fine 
binders. This title has an exceptional binding by British craft 
bookbinder Anthony Gardner in full brown morocco with elaborate 
blindstamping, gilt rules and lettering with a design featuring small 
gilt circles and stars on each cover. The front panel has a red morocco 
onlay in the shape of a cross set over the back of a standing soldier 
while the rear cover has a blue morocco cross over the back of a 
standing woman. At the top and bottom of both covers is an abbreviated 
version of the American flag accomplished in red, white, blue, and gold 
morocco onlays. The marbled endpapers resemble splatters of blood on a 
bluish background. Bound at the rear is the rear panel of the original 
dustwrapper as well as a colophon page imaginatively accomplished in a 
circle in Gardner's fine calligraphic hand explaining the symbolism of 
the binding and dating it to 1962 as well as numbering it as the 641st 
fine binding created by Gardner in his career. Laid in is an AUTOGRAPH 
LETTER SIGNED by the binder explaining in detail his philosophy of 
binding as well as his fees and relaying some facts about his career 
including the number of books he has bound for royalty. Fine in a superb 
custom binding. leather.	$2,500.00



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