(Ashendene Press)

I Fioretti del glorioso poverello di Cristo S. Francesco Di Assisi

Japon paper proofs of the 53 illustrations in the book, drawn by Charles M. Gere and cut on wood by J.B. Swain. 8vo, London: The Ashendene Press, 1922. The 53 individual proofs are tipped into a blank book (some leaves of which have been excised) bound in tan morocco, upper cover elaborately tooled in gilt and blue, lower cover in blind, a.e.g., probably Italian, 19th century, some foxing to a few blank pages, the proofs, except for a faint rust stain in the corner of two, are in fine condition, with about one-inch lower blank margins.

The complete set of 53 woodcuts illustrating the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the last Ashendene to be printed in Italian, and the last (apart from two contributions to the Press Bibliography) to contain Charles Gere's work. The book itself was published in an edition of 240 copies on Batchelor paper and 12 copies on vellum, and it is possible that these japon paper proofs were pulled to test the designs and inking on a vellum-like surface. RARE, AND QUITE PROBABLY UNIQUE Ashendene Bibliography XXXI and pp. 133-35; Franklin, The Ashendene Press, pp. 124 et seq.; Ransom, Private Presses, p. 206, No. 34; Tomkinson, p. 7, No. 34.

Item #14621       Price: $2,500.00