Oscar WildeBiblio.com
Oscar WildeBiblio.com
Ave Imperatrix! A Dirge of Empire. Limited edition; hand illuminated
réf. 3732433Snohomish Washington: The Handcraft Shop 1902. 38 leaves rectos only 1 hand-illuminated plate. 12mo. Polished red calf with printed spine label; deckle-edge handmade paper. Each page with a hand-illuminated initial. Bookplate of William F. Gamble; early bookseller’s description tipped-on to front pastedown; exterior soil and light rubbing to boards and gilt; about very good. Number 132 of 150 copies printed on Whatman handmade paper and bound by Will H. Ransom at The Handcraft Shop from a total edition of 160 copies. This is the first edition in this format and the second Ransom’s second imprint. According to Ransom’s checklist only two books were published under this imprint during 1901-1902. During the production of this work Ransom moved to Chicago which disrupted the third publication resulting in only ten completed copies. With introduction a frontispiece and illuminated decorative initials by John D. Clancy. A notable example of Arts & Crafts printing in the Pacific Northwest. Ransom 2. Kreisman & Mason The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest p342. unknown
