Essex War Welfare 1939 – 1945

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• THE LEIPZIG MEDAL WINNER

  

  Smith, Ken (1938–2003) ; Poet

  Smith, Ken (1938–2003) ; Poet Between The Dancers [Signed Limited Edition] [Six Screenprints] [Artist Edition] AN AWARD-WINNING BRITISH ARTIST’S BOOK UNITING POETRY, SCREENPRINT, AND FINE PRESS CRAFTSMANSHIP — CIRCLE PRESS POETRY IN COLLABORATION WITH JOHN CHRISTIE

  $625.00

  Blind Horse Books [ABAA]

  A CIRCLE PRESS ARTIST’S BOOK RECOGNIZED ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGEA distinguished example of late twentieth-century British book art, Between The Dancers combines Ken Smith’s intense, carefully crafted poetry with six original screenprints by John Christie, creating a work where text and image function as equal artistic partners.+++ Awarded a Bronze Medal at the 1982 International Book Art Exhibition in Leipzig, this edition represents the creative ambition of Circle Press during a period when the artist’s book movement was redefining the relationship between literature, printing, and visual expression.+++ This copy is number 12 of only 75 bound copies, signed by both poet Ken Smith and artist John Christie. POETRY AND IMAGE IN DIALOGUE.Ken Smith was one of the most distinctive voices in post-war British poetry, recognized for his direct language, social awareness, and emotional intensity. In Between The Dancers, his sequence of ten poems explores movement, memory, and human experience through a compressed and powerful poetic style. John Christie’s screenprints respond visually to Smith’s writing, creating an interaction between abstract image and poetic structure. The result reflects the continuing tradition of the livre d’artiste, where the book itself becomes a collaborative work of art. THE CIRCLE PRESS TRADITION.+++ Founded by John Christie, Circle Press became one of the important British workshops of the late twentieth century, producing finely crafted books that brought together poets, artists, designers, and printers.+++ Printed letterpress in 14-point Optima on heavy Somerset mould-made paper, Between The Dancers demonstrates the press’s commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic experimentation.+++ The volume occupies an important place within the development of the modern British artist’s book, bridging fine press traditions with the broader conceptual movement of late twentieth-century book art. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Large quarto. Approximately 33 × 25 cm (13 × 10 inches). Four 8-page sections. Printed letterpress in 14-point Optima on heavy Somerset mould-made paper. Illustrated with six original screenprints by John Christie. Quarter-bound in canvas and green boards. Housed in original black cloth slipcase. Number 12 of 75 bound copies. Signed by Ken Smith and John Christie. CONDITION: Fine. The book is pristine, exhibiting no flaws or blemishes and retaining original gift-quality presentation. The black cloth slipcase is Near Fine to Fine, structurally sound and vibrant with only minimal shelf handling. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE — THE MODERN ARTIST’S BOOK—A BRITISH BOOK ART ACHIEVEMENT. The late twentieth century saw renewed interest in the artist’s book as a medium where poetry, visual art, typography, and craftsmanship could exist together. Circle Press became one of the leading British practitioners of this approach, producing editions that emphasized collaboration and material quality. The recognition of Between The Dancers at Leipzig confirms its place within the international conversation surrounding contemporary book art during this period. AN IMPORTANT CIRCLE PRESS TITLE.Although less frequently encountered than some Circle Press productions, Between The Dancers remains an important example of the press’s collaborative philosophy. Its omission from some retrospective discussions of Circle Press publications makes complete holdings of the press’s output more difficult without this title. CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS+++ Award-Winning Artist’s Book — Recognized at the International Book Art Exhibition in Leipzig.+++ Poetry and Visual Art — Ken Smith’s poems interpreted through John Christie’s original screenprints.+++ Circle Press Production — A significant example of British late twentieth-century fine press publishing.+++ Signed Collaborative Edition — Signed by both poet and artist.+++ Modern Livre d’Artiste — Continues the tradition of the artist’s book as a unified visual and literary work. SUBJECTS: Ken Smith; John Christie; Circle Press; British Poetry; Artist Books; Screenprints; Fine Press Printing; Book Arts; Somerset Paper; Letterpress Printing; Contemporary Poetry; International Book Art Exhibition, Artist’s Books; Fine Press; British Poetry; Livre d’Artiste; Illustrated Books; Limited Editions; Signed Books. less

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  Offered for Sale by: Blind Horse Books [ABAA]

• THE BELLE ÉPOQUE BOOK AS ART

  

  Uzanne, Octave (1851-1931)

  Uzanne, Octave (1851-1931) Son Altesse La Femme [Her Highness the Woman] [Extra-Illustrated State] [Salvatore David Master Binding] [Cortlandt Field Bishop Provenance] A FRENCH BIBLIOPHILE’S VISION TRANSFORMED INTO A MASTERWORK OF BINDING, ILLUSTRATION, AND COLLECTING HISTORY.

  $1,500.00

  Blind Horse Books [ABAA]

  A remarkable example of late nineteenth-century French bookmaking, uniting the literary vision of Octave Uzanne with a master binding by Salvatore David and documented ownership by important American collector Cortlandt Field Bishop. This limited edition of Son Altesse La Femme represents the height of Belle Époque bibliophilic culture, combining essays on femininity, fashion, and cultural identity with an elaborate program of illustration and ornament. The present copy is distinguished by its exceptional binding and an additional suite of ten vignette illustrations printed separately without text, representing an enhanced illustrated state beyond the standard issue. THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK OF FIN-DE-SIÈCLE PARIS. Octave Uzanne was one of the most distinctive figures in nineteenth-century French literary and bibliophilic circles. His works transformed subjects such as fashion, collecting, and social customs into highly designed literary objects that reflected the artistic ambitions of the Belle Époque. In Son Altesse La Femme, Uzanne examines changing ideas of femininity through historical, cultural, and social perspectives, moving from traditional archetypes to the modern Parisienne. The work reflects the period’s fascination with fashion, psychology, and the evolving role of women in modern society. A MASTERWORK BY SALVATORE DAVID: The binding elevates this copy beyond the ordinary limited edition. Executed by Salvatore David, son of the celebrated French binder Bernard David, it demonstrates the craftsmanship and decorative vocabulary that defined the finest French bindings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The full red morocco binding features elaborate gilt tooling, inlaid blue and white leather decoration, gilt morocco doublures, and deep blue silk pastedowns and flyleaves. The original printed wrappers are preserved as a bound-in double-page spread. A COLLECTOR’S ENHANCED STATE: The copy contains an additional suite of ten vignette illustrations printed separately without text. This additional suite distinguishes the volume from standard issues and reflects the nineteenth-century bibliophile’s desire to create individualized, enhanced copies through the selection and arrangement of visual material. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Quarto, approximately 7 by 10.75 inches. Full contemporary red morocco binding by Salvatore David. Elaborately tooled gilt decoration with inlaid blue and white leather elements. Gilt morocco doublures with deep blue silk pastedowns and flyleaves. Original printed wrappers bound in as a double-page spread. Illustrated by Albert Lynch with engraved title vignette, fifty text engravings, eleven ornamental borders and head-pieces, ten tipped-in color plates, and an additional suite of ten vignette illustrations printed separately without text. PROVENANCE: With the gilt-tooled red morocco book ticket of Cortlandt Field Bishop (1870–1935), important American collector, aviator, and founder of the American Art Association-Anderson Galleries. CONDITION: Fine. The binding remains tight and square. The text block is clean with light, even age-toning. The red morocco remains vibrant with moderate shelf handling. A small opening is beginning at the front lower joint. The internal silk, gilt tooling, and decorative elements remain exceptionally bright. A remarkably well-preserved example of a high-status French binding. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: THE BELLE ÉPOQUE BEAUTIFUL BOOK—THE ART OF BIBLIOPHILIA Son Altesse La Femme represents the Belle Époque ideal of the book as a complete artistic object, where typography, illustration, binding, and subject matter worked together to create an experience beyond ordinary reading. Uzanne’s writings occupy an important place in the history of French bibliophilia, reflecting the nineteenth-century movement toward the beautifully produced book that would influence later fine press and livre d’artiste traditions. THE MAKING OF A COLLECTOR’S COPY. This copy demonstrates how elite collectors transformed already distinguished editions through exceptional bindings and additional illustrative material. The Salvatore David binding and added suite of illustrations reveal the nineteenth-century tradition of treating books as individual works of art. The Cortlandt Field Bishop book ticket further connects the volume to the formative years of major American rare book collecting, when private collectors and auction houses helped establish the modern market for important illustrated and finely bound books. CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS +++ Belle Époque Bibliophilia — A major example of the French fascination with the beautifully produced book. +++ Salvatore David Binding — A richly decorated master binding in red morocco with inlaid leather and silk doublures. +++ Enhanced Illustrated State — Includes an additional suite of ten vignette illustrations beyond the standard issue. +++ Octave Uzanne — A distinctive voice in nineteenth-century French literary and bibliophilic culture. +++ Bishop Provenance — From the library of an important early twentieth-century American collector. SUBJECTS:                 less

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  Offered for Sale by: Blind Horse Books [ABAA]

• Bayntun-Rivière full morocco gilt binding

  

  Quiller-Couch, Arthur

  Quiller-Couch, Arthur The Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900

  $350.00

  The Accidental Bookseller

  Clarendon Press, 1930. India Paper Edition, small 8vo (4.5″ X 6.5″). Later impression, first published in 1900. Beautifully bound by Bayntun-Rivière of Bath in full blue morocco, front cover tooled in gilt with an ogival lattice of curved fillets, gilt dots at the intersections, each compartment centered with a Tudor rose tool, within a border of gilt arcs; rear cover plain. Spine in six compartments between five raised bands, lettered in gilt direct in the second, the others centered with a Tudor rose tool. Wide turn-ins ruled in gilt with rose tools at the outer corners, combed marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Signed by the binders in gilt on the front turn-in. Gilt on side of text block slightly scratched, else a fine copy indeed. less

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  Offered for Sale by: The Accidental Bookseller

• Signed artist's book exploring the letter Q

  

  Moore, Suzanne

  Moore, Suzanne Rescuing Q Quandaries and Queries

  $3,500.00

  Michael Pyron, Bookseller ABAA/ILAB

  Tucson, AZ: Suzanne Moore, 2024. Original Wrappers. Fine binding. Item #9704 Folio. [26] pp., illus. Limited edition, one of 26 lettered variants. Lettered and signed by Moore. Bound in Cave paper wrappers with gold tooling, with an original piece of process art laid into a paper folder, all housed in clamshell. The latest in a remarkable body of work by Suzanne Moore, this artist’s book employs printing by polymer plates by Sandy Tilcock at lone goose press as well as handset vintage type by Jessica Spring at Springtide Press. Original work—collage, embossing, gilding, and hand coloring in pencil and gouache—by Moore assures that each of the 26 lettered copies are variants, not identical. The overarching vision of this book is an artistic and philosophical exploration of the letter “Q.” Moore writes, “Q is key to Latin words of inquiry, and questions inspire conversation, idea exchange and research. This book was designed as an antidote to Q-Anon, and reminder that there is power in the act of questions—and listening with an open mind. Through sincere questioning, consideration, and conversation we can move to otherwise impossible connections—and new levels of understanding.” Interspersed throughout Moore’s lettering are printed questions offered by Moore and her friends. These range from playful to poetic, from intimate and deeply personal to grand considerations of the Nature of Things. The one commonality is that none of these questions are easily answered, if answerable at all; but all are worth consideration. Among the most impactful aspects of Moore’s book is the profound and relentless way in which she demonstrates that even simple concepts can be so much more than they seem. She takes the letter Q, as straightforward a letterform as any, and gives it more than a hundred iterations from humble to breathtakingly dynamic. If something as simple as a letterform can be so much more complicated and varied while retaining its identity . . . is nothing fixed, decided, solid? And in that question, we are brought back to Moore’s central proposition: “Through sincere questioning, consideration, and conversation we can move to otherwise impossible connections—and new levels of understanding.” An important proposition at a time where intractability is the sentiment du jour. A stunning and inimitable book. Also available with an annotated process portfolio, inquire for details and pricing. less

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  Offered for Sale by: Michael Pyron, Bookseller ABAA/ILAB