[Rarebooks] FS: Gregynog Press FABLES OF ESOPE, Copy #14 of only 20, price reduced

[Charles Agvent]

Price reduced to $6000 NET

AESOP. THE FABLES OF ESOPE TRANSLATED OUT OF THE FRENSSHE IN TO 
ENGLYSSHE BY: WILLIAM CAXTON. Newtown: The Gregynog Press, 1931. First 
Edition. Quarto (8-1/4" x 12-1/4") in ochre levant morocco leather, top 
edge gilt, signed by George Fisher and William MacCance (the designer) 
at the Gregynog Press Bindery. The upper cover has three gilt rules, 
surrounding an inner rectangle outlined by multiple gilt rules of 
varying thickness, surrounding a design of onlaid brown calf in which 
the letters of "Esope" are ingeniously intertwined. "The Fables of" is 
printed above that in blind, and "Caxton" below in gilt. The rear cover 
simply has three gilt rules and the letters "GG" on an onlay of brown 
calf. The spine has five raised bands. Of a total of 250 copies, this is 
copy #14 of only 25 in this special binding. Illustrated throughout with 
wood engravings by Agnes Miller Parker resulting in a book now regarded 
as one of the most accomplished examples of wood-engraving between the 
Wars. Some rubbing to the spine and joints with mild chipping to the 
head; long vertical scratch to the front cover. Owner name on front 
endpaper; internally fresh and clean. A Very Good and scarce example of 
this beautiful book.

This book [No. 14/20] was subscribed for directly from The Gregynog 
Press by Ambassador William Castle Jr. (1878-1963). The book was 
published on 2 April 1932 for £12-12s-0d: (twelve guineas). Castle 
purchased his special copy on 20 July 1934 (there was always a delay 
between the publication date and the completion of the Special Bindings).

He owned a total of 14 of the Press’s Special Bindings, as well as 
several copies of the ordinary (case) bindings. Castle purchased all his 
Gregynog Press books directly from the Press, commencing with THE 
MISFORTUNES OF ELPHIN which he bought in December 1929; his last was 
LYRICS AND UNFINISHED POEMS in May 1943. Castle did not purchase every 
book that the Press produced in the Special Bindings. A large part of 
his collection was sold at Samuel Freeman’s auction rooms in 
Philadelphia on 1 December 1971, but this copy was not included in that 
auction. There were several other Special Bindings that were not. It is 
believed that Castle gave away several of his Special Bindings as they 
were not included in the 1971 sale.
  (#017357)        $8,500.00

https://www.charlesagvent.com/shop/agvent/017357.html

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