The First Century of Meditations
(Malvern, Worcestershire): Belmont Hall, (2017). Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of 50 copies, folio size, [102] pp., with linocuts by the artist-printer, Andrew Judd, in jacket and with slipcase. Fine / fine. Item #18121101
A lovely book by printer and artist Andrew Judd (1948-2024). He named his studio "Belmont Hall" wherein he produced limited editions which were "noted for their strong typography and Andrew's evocative illustrations" (n.b., quote from the online obituary for Judd, written by David Whiting and published by "The Guardian" on 26 September, 2024).
While Judd produced other works, he considered this his "magnum opus". He was inspired by Thomas Traherne (1636/7 -1674), an Anglican poet and theologian. Traherne is best known for this work, "a collection of short paragraphs in which he reflects on Christian life and ministry, philosophy, happiness, desire and childhood" (n.b., from Wiki). His writings are those of a mystic; Meditation 68 opens: "Being made alone, O my Soul, though wouldst be in thy Body like GOD in the World, in Invisible Mysterie, too Great to be Comprehended by all Creatures..." His "Centuries" have inspired many; C.S. Lewis called "Centuries of Meditations" "almost the most beautiful book in English" (ibid).
Per the colophon, this book was published in an edition of fifty copies. However, as of this writing we see no copies of this hardbound version, including all 100 meditations, with Judd's linocuts, online, although there are several sets of "excerpts" bound in wraps. Our search of OCLC locates only two copies, one in the UK and one here in the U.S.
We acquired this book directly from the printer, hence it is truly "new", never having been previously owned.
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full aubergine cloth over boards, the spine with gilt lettering and ruled borders, top- and fore-edge uncut, title page in black and purple, lavishly illustrated with twenty-three linocuts by Andrew Judd, most monochrome and a few with a second colour, most in-text, colophon in purple; True-cut Caslon cast on a Ludlow Typograph and the type destroyed after printing, on Zerkall stock, the illustrations printed directly from the linocut blocks, binding size (13" by 8"), unpaginated with 102 pp, this hardbound version issued in an edition of 50 copies, this no. 38. In the publisher's dust jacket of heavy aubergine paper, black lettering printed on the front panel and back flap. Encased in a slipcase of sturdy cardboard covered with black cloth.
___CONDITION: Volume, dust jacket and slipcase all fine: clean, sturdy, free of prior owner markings - literally as new, as it has never been owned.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.
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Price: $600.00