The Bookplates of Norman Lindsay
Adelaide, The Wakefield Press, 1944.
Octavo, 30 pages with 18 tipped-in bookplates.
Plain card covers with the attached overlapping wrappers (slightly tanned, with a couple of tiny nicks to the top edge); top margin a little cockled throughout (as ever, from the tipped-in plates); a near-fine copy.
The retained reference copy of Harry Muir (the publisher), with 'Reference copy' inscribed in ink by him on the front panel, and his annotations to two pages. This, the fourth publication of Muir's original Wakefield Press, was limited to 375 numbered copies: it was oversubscribed at the time, and it is scarce to this day. He has written 'Out of series' in lieu of a number in this copy. His annotations appear on the checklist (pages 17 and 19), where he supplies dates for seven of the undated plates, and adds details of eight bookplates produced after the book was published in 1944. Pencilled check marks presumably indicate plates in his collection. Offered together with: 1. A lengthy, entertaining and instructive autograph letter from the author, Frederick Claude Vivian Lane (1879-1969), a master printer, and in an earlier life, a world-champion swimmer and Olympic gold medallist. In the letter (quarto, six leaves, rectos only, written in pencil and signed 'Fred'), he describes Norman Lindsay's reaction to the book: 'You now know that neither of us is to be murdered ... Furthermore Harry it is most pleasing to both of us that in all its simplicity & freedom from ostentation the neat little "Norman Lindsay Bookplate Checklist Brochure" gains the admiration of the Master himself. Yes says he "Splendid couldn't be better"'. He goes on to discuss a plate for A.J. Stevens not included in the checklist, and the reproduction bookplates used in the book. He mentions the preparation of the blocks for Lindsay's forthcoming book 'Paintings in Oil' ('I met the principal, - a lady artist - that of course makes it a lot easier for Norman'). Returning to the checklist, he 'by no chance let [Colin] Berckelman get one by any roundabout route', and states that 'orders could have been fulfilled for an extra 500 [copies]'. 2. A duplicate typescript list entitled 'Complimentary Copies' (foolscap folio, one leaf, recto only), giving the names of recipients of the 25 copies for presentation (lettered A-Y) referred to in the limitation statement. Provenance: H.B. (Harry) Muir (1909-1992), bookseller, publisher and bookplate collector; by descent. [3 items].
Item #133720
Sold