The Bookplate
Flansham, near Bognor, The Pear Tree Press (for The English Bookplate Society), 1920 to 1923.
Quarto, five numbers, [ii], 8 (some french fold), [2] (advertisements) pages; [ii], [8] (french fold), [2] (colophon) pages; [viii], 14, [4], 15-30 pages; 16 pages; and [16] pages. All issues are finely printed, with numerous decorative initials, ornaments and illustrations. Overall approximately 46 bookplates are reproduced in the text; 9 are tipped in (several engraved, several in colour); and 2 full-page plates (one engraved, one in colour) are loosely inserted in the last number, presumably as issued.
Saddle-sewn overlapping wrappers or card covers; covers a little creased and marked, with a few short closed tears; some minor tanning and creasing internally; a couple of small marks; paperclip mark to the supplementary material to Number 3; overall in excellent condition.
A complete run of this rare and lavish journal edited and printed by James Guthrie at The Pear Tree Press. The first series comprises Numbers 1-3 (September 1920, December 1920, and September 1921), with the first two subtitled 'Issued by The English Bookplate Society', and the third subtitled 'Being the Journal of The English Bookplate Society'. The New Series comprises Number 1 (December 1922) and the Supplementary Number (June 1923). The print runs appear to have been very small. A printed note on the rear cover of New Series Number 1 indicates that it was 'limited to 250 copies in all', including plain copies and copies for members of the Society, which were issued with additional bookplates loosely inserted. The last three numbers in this run are members' copies. Number 3 contains a series of eight 'Spoof Designs' printed on the recto of a large sheet (folded but untrimmed), with a separate engraved title printed in green. New Series Number 1 contains a bifolium with bookplates by William Giles, Y. Urushubara, and James and Stuart Guthrie (one engraved plate, three tipped-in woodcuts). The Supplementary Number to the New Series contains an additional 'cut in three colours by John Guthrie'. In addition to these supplements, two related ephemeral items are loosely inserted. They are: 1. A single leaf (quarto, printed recto only) dated January 1920, giving details of the office-bearers, aims, membership and subscription of The English Bookplate Society. 'Under revision' has been written in the top corner, and there are two further manuscript emendations. 2. A small flyer headed 'Special Hand Prints', with an engraved bookplate design printed in blind, announcing the extra plates issued to members. See Fuller's 'A Bibliography of Bookplate Literature', page 30. In 1924 James Guthrie's son Stuart published three numbers of a journal under the same title, subtitled 'A Magazine for Book Craftsmen, Official Organ of The English Bookplate Society', printed at the Favil Press. Provenance: H.B. (Harry) Muir (1909-1992), bookseller, publisher and bookplate collector; by descent. [5 items plus inserts].
Item #134099
Price (AUD):
$1,500.00