Paradise Lost; A Poem in XII Books
Hammersmith: The Doves Press [Printed by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson & Emery Walker], 1902. Limited Edition. Vellum. One of 300 copies, large octavo size, 388 pp. Very good. Item #22101602
The Doves Press publication of this well-known work by John Milton (1608-1674), which has remained a perennial favourite since its first publication in 1667.
The Doves Press, founded by T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, was entirely self-sufficient, designing, printing, and binding its own books, and even cutting its own typeface for use in its publications; the books it published were often chosen for their typographical challenges, and were designed and printed with a simple elegance that did justice to the works' literary merits and the Press's skill and innovation.
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full limp vellum, title in gilt on the spine, title in bold red letters on the opening page of the text, marginal Book numbers in red throughout, each of the twelve books opens with a large initial capital in printed alternately in blue and red, the large lettering done by Edward Johnston and Grayley Hewitt, "The Doves Bindery" stamped on the rear turn-in; on Doves 1 paper, large octavo size (9 1/4" by 6 5/8"), pagination: [1-2] 3-386 [387] [1, colophon]; this one of 300 copies on paper (there were also twenty-two copies printed on vellum).
___ CONDITION: A solid very good copy, the vellum binding smooth and clean (and with much less of the usual bowing), the corners straight and unrubbed, a strong text block with solid hinges, and other than a few very light pencilled notations on the rear pastedown entirely free of prior owner markings; with a fair amount of internal foxing which is also present on the fore- and bottom edges of the text block, in one small spot on the fore-edge of the front board, and another small spot on the spine (please see pictures and request more if needed); price is commensurate with condition.
___CITATIONS: Tidcombe DP5; Tomkinson p. 54.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.
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Price: $2,500.00