The Essayes or Counsels Civill and Morall
London: Cresset Press [Printed by Bernard H. Newdigate at the Shakespeare Head Press], 1928. Gaskin, Joscelyne. Limited Edition. Vellum. One of 250 copies, folio size, 207 pp. Near Fine. Item #26082001
The first book published by the philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Baron of Verulam and Viscount Saint Alban. This collection of essays encompasses a wide range of subjects, from the outer workings of the law and society to the internal workings of human sensitivity, wisdom, and friendship; full of erudite observations and pithy statements, "Essays" was highly praised at the time of its publications, and was seen as a paragon of the essay form.
This publication of his "Essayes" was the first title to be published by the Cresset Press, the printing by the Shakespeare Head Press. Visually stunning in the virtuoso handling of the introductory words and initial capitals to the essays, there being over seventy, printed in red, as is the Press device at the colophon.
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full unbleached parchment (Ransom), gilt lettering on the front board and spine, top edge gilt, fore- and bottom edges uncut, title page in red and black, printer's statement on title page verso in red, press device at colophon in red, title and initial letters designed by Joscelyne Gaskin; Cloister type on Batchelor's Kelmscott hand-made paper, binding size (15 1/4" by 10 1/2"), pagionation: [i-viii] 1-198, [1, colophon], limited edition of 250 copies, this no. 132 (an additional eight copies were printed on vellum).
___CONDITION: Near fine, the parchment smooth and supple, without rubbed areas or tears, the boards mostly clean (other than a few light, stray marks), the top corners straight and the bottom corners bumped, all four corners unrubbed, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; some lightly pencilled marks (likely by a prior bookseller) towards the top of the front free endpaper and light offsetting to the pastedown endpapers.
___CITATION: Ransom, Cresset Press, no. 1; also Ransom, Shakespeare Head Press, no. 53 (note that Ransom states the publication date as 1927 in both entries although the title page states 1928).
___POSTAGE: Please note that due to size and weight additional postage may apply, please inquire for details; International customers, please also note that 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: $750.00