Recollections, My Life in Bookbinding
Newton, Pennsylvania: Bird & Bull Press, 1995. Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of 200 copies, quarto size, 107 pp., with prospectus and related ephemera. Fine. Item #25111104
"Recollections" is a memoir of the remarkable bookbinder, Bernard C. Middleton (1924-2019), a skilled binder as well as a prolific writer on the techniques of the craft; his memoir tells of his life and work as a binder, how he and his wife Dora built their business, with an easygoing language and gentle storytelling. The book contains numerous photographs of the inside of Middleton's bindery, as well as examples of some of Middleton's own bookbinding work; a fascinating read of the life and career of one of the world's most prominent binders.
A Foreword by Dr. Marianne Tidcombe precedes the memoir; Tidcombe has written extensively on bookbinding and fine presses, including books on the Doves Press and on women bookbinders.
___DESCRIPTION: Quarter blue leather with beige paper boards, vertical rules in red, blue, and gilt with gilt ornament on the front and rear boards, red leather spine label with silver lettering and ruled border, fore- and bottom edges rough cut, title page in red and black, black-and-white photographs and facsimiles throughout, eight full-colour plates showing examples of bookbindings towards the centre of the book; Dante types, binding quarto size (10 1/16" by 6 5/8"), pagination: [1-8] 9-105 [106-107], one of 200 copies, this number 46. In a slipcase covered in dark blue cloth with red cloth on the top and bottom. Loosely laid in are: (i) the prospectus, a single sheet with type on one side only, measuring 8 1/4" by 6 1/4"; (ii) a small sheet notifying the original recipient that the design for the lapel pin, received with their standing order, is pictured on Plate 8 of the book; and (iii) two postcard-size photographs of two of Middleton's bindings, one of which is included in the book (Plate 5), with short descriptions on the versos.
___CONDITION: A fine copy; the covers clean, the leather shelfback smooth and supple, the corners straight and unrubbed, the binding tight with solid hinges, the interior clean and bright, and free of prior owner markings; clean, crisp, as new. The slipcase is fine overall, strong and sturdy with no splits or tears to the seams, mostly clean with a stray mark or two. The prospectus and other ephemera also fine, clean and totally without wear.
___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.
___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.
Price: $400.00