Faust: Eine Tragoedie von Goethe
Hammersmith: Printed by T. J. Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker at the Doves Press, 1906. Vellum Binding. Very Good+ binding. Item #8800
Small quarto. 260, [1], [3 (blank)] pp. Limited edition, one of 300 copies on paper. As issued, in limp vellum by Doves Bindery, stamp-signed on the rear turn-in; housed in modern slipcase. Quite a nice copy with little mellowing to the vellum; contents have very occasional and light toning, but generally, quite clean.
Undoubtedly, Cobden-Sanderson and Walker's Doves Press stands as one of the titans of the private press movement reenergized by William Morris and his Kelmscott Press. Unlike Morris and Hornby's Ashendene Press, the Doves Press embraced restraint at least in design—Cobden Sanderson was anything but restrained in temperament. Colin Franklin writes, "It is kind of a paradox that the Doves Press, simplest and purest of them all in style, was the creation of more passion and complexity of thought than the rest of them put together" (p. 105). Unfortunately, the genius and artistic sensibility that brought out some of the greatest monuments of 20th century printing was ill fated and the partnership between T. J. Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker was ended in 1909. Cobden Sanderson would go on to print books for a few more years. This is a beautiful copy of the tenth book issued from press, increasingly uncommon in commerce. Printed in red and black with initials and header. Text in German. Tidcombe DP10; Franklin, Colin. The Private Presses.
Price: $1,750.00