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The Book as Art and More from The Kelmscott Bookshop Books as art from Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books. By Michael Stillman The Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books has released Catalog 5: Artists' Books, Private Press, the Pre-Raphaelites, William Morris, Illustrated Books, Art, Fine Literature, & More. Always appreciated is a catalogue such as this where the title describes exactly what you can expect to find. The interested collectors will be drawn into its pages, and those with other interests will not needlessly spend their time. Certainly, those who appreciate the art of books will find much to enjoy within this catalogue. Here are a few examples of what to expect. Item 13 is a tongue-in-cheek alphabet book published by the De Walden Press in 2001. It is number 13 of 49 signed and numbered copies of The Tower of London A to Z. The Tower has a long and often unpleasant history, not exactly the subject for a typical alphabet book. For example, "A" is for Anne Boleyn, one of many of the wives of Henry VIII who did not fare so well. Once the passion of Henry, Anne fell out of favor with the King, first being imprisoned in the Tower, and then taken outside to have her head removed. A foldout page displays an early print of Lady Jane Grey, a claimant to the throne in the years between Henry and Queen Elizabeth, about to have her head chopped off as well. "L" is for the Little Princes Edward and Richard, first and second in line for the throne when their father, Edward IV, died in 1483. Edward, the older, was but 12 years of age, so they were taken to reside in the Tower while his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, served as protector. However, the uncle decided he should be king himself, so he was coronated Richard III, and the two young princes simply disappeared. No one knows what happened to them, but we all can guess. Jan Kellett's Tower ABC is a miniature book, printed in gold and black and sealed with a leather loop and knot closure. Priced at $445. Item 57 is The Wildflowers of America, by George L. Goodale, illustrated by Isaac Sprague. Sprague was America's top botanical painter of the second half of the 19th century. However, some of his earliest work was illustrating birds. His illustrations caught the eye of John James Audubon, who took Sprague along on an expedition up the Missouri River in the 1840s. Audubon used some of his drawings, though they were unattributed. Sprague later moved on to more of a focus on botanical specimens, and he illustrated many books, including this one published in 1894, just a year before Sprague died. $300. Item 19 is a copy of Percy Bysshe Shelley's Zastrozzi: A Romance, published by the Golden Cockerel Press in 1955. Golden Cockerel was one of the most noted of fine presses, this item being published during its latter years (the press operated from 1920-1961). It contains eight wood engravings from Cecil Keeling. This fine press edition was actually the first separate printing of this work, written by Shelley when he was 17, since 1839. $225.
The Book as Art and More from The Kelmscott Bookshop Phil May's exaggerated self-portrait. Item 47 is one of the last catalogues from William Morris' Kelmscott Press, dated July 28, 1897. It is actually a post-Morris catalogue, the Press' founder having died in 1896 (Kelmscott closed down in 1898). It lists books in the "nearly ready," "already printed," and "out of print categories." Kelmscott only operated for a few years, having been founded in 1891, but it is likely the most legendary of all the private presses. This bookseller has taken its name from Morris' press. Kelmscott published ten more titles after Morris died, his associates operating the press, but they were all works either started or planned by Morris. The intention was always to close Kelmscott after he died to guard against the publication of inferior works under its name. $225. Phil May was a notable British caricaturist from the turn of the century. He drew political cartoons for the likes of Punch magazine and the Sydney Bulletin, the latter when he spent a few years in Australia for his health. It was of limited benefit as he only lived to be 39 (1864-1903). Item 71 is a self-portrait he drew with the notation "What a feed I've had. Fill May." Depicted is a grossly obese May with a cigar in his mouth. It is most ironic as May was actually a very slight man who once tried to become a jockey. His image can be seen by clicking the thumbnail above left. $1,200. Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books may be reached at 410-235-6810 or info@kelmscottbookshop.com. Their website is www.kelmscottbookshop.com.

The Book as Art and More from The Kelmscott Bookshop

Books as art from Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books.

By Michael Stillman

The Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books has released Catalog 5: Artists' Books, Private Press, the Pre-Raphaelites, William Morris, Illustrated Books, Art, Fine Literature, & More. Always appreciated is a catalogue such as this where the title describes exactly what you can expect to find. The interested collectors will be drawn into its pages, and those with other interests will not needlessly spend their time. Certainly, those who appreciate the art of books will find much to enjoy within this catalogue. Here are a few examples of what to expect.

Item 13 is a tongue-in-cheek alphabet book published by the De Walden Press in 2001. It is number 13 of 49 signed and numbered copies of The Tower of London A to Z. The Tower has a long and often unpleasant history, not exactly the subject for a typical alphabet book. For example, "A" is for Anne Boleyn, one of many of the wives of Henry VIII who did not fare so well. Once the passion of Henry, Anne fell out of favor with the King, first being imprisoned in the Tower, and then taken outside to have her head removed. A foldout page displays an early print of Lady Jane Grey, a claimant to the throne in the years between Henry and Queen Elizabeth, about to have her head chopped off as well. "L" is for the Little Princes Edward and Richard, first and second in line for the throne when their father, Edward IV, died in 1483. Edward, the older, was but 12 years of age, so they were taken to reside in the Tower while his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, served as protector. However, the uncle decided he should be king himself, so he was coronated Richard III, and the two young princes simply disappeared. No one knows what happened to them, but we all can guess. Jan Kellett's Tower ABC is a miniature book, printed in gold and black and sealed with a leather loop and knot closure. Priced at $445.

Item 57 is The Wildflowers of America, by George L. Goodale, illustrated by Isaac Sprague. Sprague was America's top botanical painter of the second half of the 19th century. However, some of his earliest work was illustrating birds. His illustrations caught the eye of John James Audubon, who took Sprague along on an expedition up the Missouri River in the 1840s. Audubon used some of his drawings, though they were unattributed. Sprague later moved on to more of a focus on botanical specimens, and he illustrated many books, including this one published in 1894, just a year before Sprague died. $300.

Item 19 is a copy of Percy Bysshe Shelley's Zastrozzi: A Romance, published by the Golden Cockerel Press in 1955. Golden Cockerel was one of the most noted of fine presses, this item being published during its latter years (the press operated from 1920-1961). It contains eight wood engravings from Cecil Keeling. This fine press edition was actually the first separate printing of this work, written by Shelley when he was 17, since 1839. $225.

The Book as Art and More from The Kelmscott Bookshop

Phil May's exaggerated self-portrait.

Item 47 is one of the last catalogues from William Morris' Kelmscott Press, dated July 28, 1897. It is actually a post-Morris catalogue, the Press' founder having died in 1896 (Kelmscott closed down in 1898). It lists books in the "nearly ready," "already printed," and "out of print categories." Kelmscott only operated for a few years, having been founded in 1891, but it is likely the most legendary of all the private presses. This bookseller has taken its name from Morris' press. Kelmscott published ten more titles after Morris died, his associates operating the press, but they were all works either started or planned by Morris. The intention was always to close Kelmscott after he died to guard against the publication of inferior works under its name. $225.

Phil May was a notable British caricaturist from the turn of the century. He drew political cartoons for the likes of Punch magazine and the Sydney Bulletin, the latter when he spent a few years in Australia for his health. It was of limited benefit as he only lived to be 39 (1864-1903). Item 71 is a self-portrait he drew with the notation "What a feed I've had. Fill May." Depicted is a grossly obese May with a cigar in his mouth. It is most ironic as May was actually a very slight man who once tried to become a jockey. His image can be seen by clicking the thumbnail above left. $1,200.

Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books may be reached at 410-235-6810 or info@kelmscottbookshop.com. Their website is www.kelmscottbookshop.com.