1Lukas1990
PHYSIOLOGUS THE VERY ANCIENT BOOK OF BEASTS, PLANTS AND STONES, TRANSLATED FROM GREEK AND OTHER LANGUAGES BY FRANCIS J. CARMODY THE
BOOK CLUB OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO, 1953
11 × 7 ¾. 76 pp. Fifty-four illustrations, including those on title and half-title, all drawn and hand-colored by Mallette Dean. Hand-colored initials throughout, some decorative. Marginal headings and printer’s device on colophon in red. Type French Elzevir, handset. Paper Arches mould-made. Bound in white parchment with an over-all decorative pattern in grey-blue, title in red on back. 325 copies printed by Mallette Dean. Price $22.50; pre-publication $19.50.
The Physiologus is a didactic Christian text written or compiled in Greek by an unknown author, in Alexandria; its composition has been traditionally dated to the 2nd century AD by readers who saw parallels with writings of Clement of Alexandria, who is asserted to have known the text, though Alan Scott has made a case for a date at the end of the 3rd or in the 4th century. The Physiologus consists of descriptions of animals, birds, and fantastic creatures, sometimes stones and plants, provided with moral content. Each animal is described, and an anecdote follows, from which the moral and symbolic qualities of the animal are derived.
I have never heard of Mallette Dean before but now he's one of my favorite illustrators :) This is the first book he produced after years of work with the Grabhorns. The idea of Physiologus was suggested by Lewis Allen (no wonder why). The book took about two years to make. A very stunning book! My copy came today from UK. Time for some Allen press specimens :)
BOOK CLUB OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO, 1953
11 × 7 ¾. 76 pp. Fifty-four illustrations, including those on title and half-title, all drawn and hand-colored by Mallette Dean. Hand-colored initials throughout, some decorative. Marginal headings and printer’s device on colophon in red. Type French Elzevir, handset. Paper Arches mould-made. Bound in white parchment with an over-all decorative pattern in grey-blue, title in red on back. 325 copies printed by Mallette Dean. Price $22.50; pre-publication $19.50.
The Physiologus is a didactic Christian text written or compiled in Greek by an unknown author, in Alexandria; its composition has been traditionally dated to the 2nd century AD by readers who saw parallels with writings of Clement of Alexandria, who is asserted to have known the text, though Alan Scott has made a case for a date at the end of the 3rd or in the 4th century. The Physiologus consists of descriptions of animals, birds, and fantastic creatures, sometimes stones and plants, provided with moral content. Each animal is described, and an anecdote follows, from which the moral and symbolic qualities of the animal are derived.
I have never heard of Mallette Dean before but now he's one of my favorite illustrators :) This is the first book he produced after years of work with the Grabhorns. The idea of Physiologus was suggested by Lewis Allen (no wonder why). The book took about two years to make. A very stunning book! My copy came today from UK. Time for some Allen press specimens :)
2Shadekeep
Beautiful! As a fan of this text, I would love to secure a copy of this tome. Wonderful drawings and excellent use of color, both in the images and the text. Thanks for sharing!
3dpbbooks
The Book Club of California recently published an illustrated bibliography on the life and work of Mallette Dean. See John T. Hawk, Mallette Dean: A Printmaker and His Art, San Francisco: The Book Club of California (2018). Designed and produced by Peter Rutledge Koch in an edition of 350 copies, including 25 deluxe copies. Contemporary wood engraver Richard Wagener wrote the foreword. BCC 237
https://gleesongleanings.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/mallette-dean-by-john-hawk/
https://www.bccbooks.org/mallette-dean/
https://gleesongleanings.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/mallette-dean-by-john-hawk/
https://www.bccbooks.org/mallette-dean/
4NathanOv
>1 Lukas1990: What an incredible publication, thanks for sharing.
Modern illuminated manuscripts are a
growing niche in my collection and I am already searching for a nice copy of this one.
Modern illuminated manuscripts are a
growing niche in my collection and I am already searching for a nice copy of this one.
5dlphcoracl
A PUZZLE FOR NATHAN OV AND THE LT FINE PRESS FORUM FAITHFUL.
>4 NathanOv:
"Modern illuminated manuscripts are a growing niche in my collection......... ."
Ah, Nathan - you are about to embark upon a very slippery and expensive slope, but a very beautiful one. The trick, of course, is to know which private presses featured hand-illumination, but the Oracle has magically appeared to save the day. Or at the very least, to help you get started on this magnificent quest.
Below are eight photos of hand illumination from six different books, with the last three photos found in the sixth book. All six of these books are from the same private press, one in which hand-illumined editions were a speciality. Can you guess which private press this is? Photos below.
>4 NathanOv:
"Modern illuminated manuscripts are a growing niche in my collection......... ."
Ah, Nathan - you are about to embark upon a very slippery and expensive slope, but a very beautiful one. The trick, of course, is to know which private presses featured hand-illumination, but the Oracle has magically appeared to save the day. Or at the very least, to help you get started on this magnificent quest.
Below are eight photos of hand illumination from six different books, with the last three photos found in the sixth book. All six of these books are from the same private press, one in which hand-illumined editions were a speciality. Can you guess which private press this is? Photos below.
6Shadekeep
>4 NathanOv: I was going to invite you to save me from myself and snap up this copy I found on Abebooks earlier today, but it's sold now. Hopefully you were the one who got it, it was the best edition I could find and at a very reasonable price.
7Flaubie
>5 dlphcoracl: The press is Roycroft; I have the Job, but not any of the others.
8dlphcoracl
>7 Flaubie:
It is indeed the Roycroft Press. Most of the hand-illumed editions are found in their top-of-the-line limited editions of 100 copies printed on Japan vellum with half leather bindings by or from master binder Louis Kinder or his workshop. An unspecified number of editions were also hand-illumed on occasion.
It is indeed the Roycroft Press. Most of the hand-illumed editions are found in their top-of-the-line limited editions of 100 copies printed on Japan vellum with half leather bindings by or from master binder Louis Kinder or his workshop. An unspecified number of editions were also hand-illumed on occasion.
9NathanOv
>5 dlphcoracl: Well I am already searching for a copy of that “Deserted Village!” Somebody else beat me to the mystery, but I appreciate you sharing those
>6 Shadekeep: I found a decent copy at a price I’m happy with, though I won’t ask you what that one was listed at.
>6 Shadekeep: I found a decent copy at a price I’m happy with, though I won’t ask you what that one was listed at.
10dlphcoracl
>9 NathanOv:
Collector's Note:
Most of the deluxe Roycrofter editions, i.e., the limited editions of 100 copies, printed on Japan vellum, binding in half morocco and marbled paper with gilt decoration by Louis Kinder and/or his workshop, and founder Elbert Hubbard's flowing signature in the colophon, have some element of hand illumination. However, the "specials" - with extensive, elaborate hand illumination are sporadic and very scarce, usually 30-40 copies apiece. It might take some time to find this but your quest will be rewarded, as the photos below (hopefully) demonstrate.
Incidentally, this hand-illumined edition of The Deserted Village is preceded by one of Elbert Hubbard's Little Journeys, in which he visits the home or city/region of a famous person he is writing about. In this instance, Hubbard records his impressions of a visit to Ireland, Oliver Goldsmith's birthplace.
Collector's Note:
Most of the deluxe Roycrofter editions, i.e., the limited editions of 100 copies, printed on Japan vellum, binding in half morocco and marbled paper with gilt decoration by Louis Kinder and/or his workshop, and founder Elbert Hubbard's flowing signature in the colophon, have some element of hand illumination. However, the "specials" - with extensive, elaborate hand illumination are sporadic and very scarce, usually 30-40 copies apiece. It might take some time to find this but your quest will be rewarded, as the photos below (hopefully) demonstrate.
Incidentally, this hand-illumined edition of The Deserted Village is preceded by one of Elbert Hubbard's Little Journeys, in which he visits the home or city/region of a famous person he is writing about. In this instance, Hubbard records his impressions of a visit to Ireland, Oliver Goldsmith's birthplace.
11booksforreading
>10 dlphcoracl:
Stunning. Thank you for sharing!
Stunning. Thank you for sharing!
12Lukas1990
>2 Shadekeep:, >9 NathanOv: I'm glad you were enabled! I immediately wanted to get this book when I first saw some pictures of it. There's a lot of handwork involved. Not sure about the paper though. That's my first one with Arches.
>10 dlphcoracl: Thank you for expanding the thread on hand-illuming!
>10 dlphcoracl: Thank you for expanding the thread on hand-illuming!
13Lukas1990
Hand-coloured ilustrations of a Kelmscott press book.
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=9203343379
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=9203343379
14Lukas1990
One copy for sale (no affiliation):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256692429860?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256692429860?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...
15A.Nobody
>14 Lukas1990: Also, the same copy is on Abe for 20% less.
