Hymns to Aphrodite
[New York]: [The Press of Valenti Angelo], [1949]. Angelo, Valenti. Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of 150 copies, small quarto size, 22 pp., signed by Valenti Angelo, with an extra print of the frontis illustration also signed by Angelo, also with the Press announcement, all in a slipcase. Fine. Item #260827015
The "Hymn to Aphrodite" is the only poem of the ancient Greek lyric poet Sappho to survive in its entirety, composed ca. 570 BCE. Although Sappho is recorded in antiquity as producing many books of poetry, very little of her work has survived intact; the only reason we have this complete poem is because a Roman orator called Dionysus (who lived in Rome about 30 BCE) quoted it in full in one of his own works. Sappho used to organize a group of her young female students into a "thiasos", a cult that worshipped Aphrodite with songs and poetry, and "Hymn to Aphrodite" was most likely composed for performance within this cult (n.b., above info from the web site of Ancient Literature, by Luke Mastin).
This lovely version was illustrated, printed and self-published by Valenti Angelo (1897-1982), who was a highly-regarded designer, illuminator and decorator of books over a career that spanned decades. In addition to the book, loosely laid in is a monochrome print of the frontis illustration, this also signed by Angelo in pencil. Loosely laid in is an announcement of the books to be issued by The Press of Valenti Angelo during 1949, the back cover being an order form. All the items housed in a plain white slipcase which we have never seen with other copies, it is unknown whether other copies had the case which has since been lost, or this was commissioned by a prior owner.
___DESCRIPTION: Quarter vellum over blue laid paper boards, gilt lettering and decoration on the spine, fore- and bottom edges uncut, plain endpapers, frontispiece by Valenti Angelo in black with a red initial capital and three stars heightened in gold and outlined in black, two additional hand-drawn initial capitals by Angelo, the colophon mark hand-illuminated in black and gold; printed on FJ Head handmade paper with their watermarks, binding small quarto size (10 1/4" by 7 1/2"), unpaginated with 11 leaves, limited edition of 150 copies, this no. 73, made at the Press of Valenti Angelo in Bronxville, NY, which was "a one-man job: from typography to presswork, cutting blocks, illumination of text pages, and other decorations relevant to the enhancement of the printed page" (n. b., quote from BCC publication "Valenti Angelo; Author, Illustrator, Printer"), and signed by him on the colophon page. Loosely laid in are: (i) a monochrome printing of the frontis illustration on yellow laid paper with Angelo's signature in pencil below the print, the paper measuring 8 1/8" by 6 1/4"; and (ii) an announcement regarding the establishment of the Press, a single sheet folded once to four pages, the first page with a small illustration and printing in red and black, the second and third pages with a listing of the book that will be available during 1949, the fourth page an order form (blank), the form measures 8 1/4" by 6"; all items housed in a plain white sturdy cardboard slipcase, covered on one side with white laid paper, the whole without printing or adornment.
___CONDITION: Volume fine overall, the vellum clean and without wear, the paper sides also clean and without wear, the corners straight, the text block square and strong with solid hinges, the interior is clean, crisp and bright, and the volume is entirely free of prior owner markings; the corners with a hint of rubbing and the backstrip slightly dusty. The extra print fine, clean and without wear, as is the announcement/order form; the slipcase near fine, strong and sturdy, with light soil and the seams at the opening just beginning to split.
___CITATION: Valenti Angelo; Author, Illustrator, Printer (BCC, 1976), p. 79.
___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: $750.00