London / New York: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd / Brentano's 1916. First Edition . Leather / Cloth. Very Good. 9 5/8" Tall. Color Plates and Decorations By Evelyn Paul. Two examples of this translation one with title page Harrap/Brentano's the other with only Brentano's name different printers different bindings minor textual differences and differences in decorations and major difference in use of gilding. 1. This first copy is bound in medieval style tooled leather with clasps and bumpers by G. Bicci Florence with a colored portrait at center of front panel; has no statement "Printed in Great Britain" on the first page "Incipit Vita Nova" before the title; Brentano's title page with acknowledgement of music by Mercer; is printed in color with some use of gilt but usually a non-reflective gold for that color; colophon indicates "Imprinted at ye: - . Cheylesmore Presse in ye toun of Coventry by W W Curtis Ltd: " and has a final page tipped in rather than bound in stating "Printed in England". This copy comes in its original box with title and design on cover. The book is rubbed at corners one or two tiny points of fraying and the portrait on the cover is rubbed but otherwise fine. 2. The second copy is bound in beige cloth with design in blue and brown and title in blue on cover and spine. The endpapers have an elaborate design which is different than that of Copy 1; the "Incipit" page has tiny lettering "Printed in Great Britain"; the title page indicates Harrap and Brentanos London and New York but does not credit Mercer for the music; there are some differences in fonts used for page titles layout of the printed pages and some differences in the decorations and additional decorations not found in Copy 1; page numbers in upright numbers while those in Copy 1 are italic; the paper is a little yellow while Copy 1 uses paper which is still white; the color illustrations involve a heavy use of gilt rather than gold ink and there is some offsetting of ink from opposite pages into a few large gilt areas; and the colophon states "Printed in Great Britain by Geo. Gibbons & Co. Colour Printers Leicester. This Copy #2 has 1/4" deep dampstaining along foredge of front cover and up to 1" deep on most of foredge of rear cover with one small spot on edge of first six pages; 1/8" oval fray on front spine edge just beginning to fray at top and bottom of spine and at two lower tips. No writing or marks. I cannot locate information regarding precedence of these printings. As copy #2 has more decorations and gilt added to the illustrations it may be the actual first printing sheets in an American binding but I can find no record of it in WorldCat or elsewhere. <br/> <br/> George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd / Brentano's hardcover
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