The Kelmscott & Doves Presses

Vancouver, B.C.: Heavenly Monkey, 2019. Jackson, Martin. Tall quarto. 18, (10)pp., + two tipped-in leaves. From an edition of 55 copies, this is one of twenty comprising the "Written" issue, featuring original calligraphy by Martin Jackson on the printed pages. Signed by Jackson on the colophon page. The text is Alfred W. Pollard's essay, which first appeared in 1921 as the introduction to the catalogue of William Andrews Clark's Kelmscott and Doves collections, printed by John Henry Nash. Pollard offers a summary of the typographical and aesthetic aims of both presses, the common denominator of each being Emery Walker; this edition presents the opportunity to examine a specific example from both presses—each of which Pollard references in his essay. The leaves included here are from the Kelmscott edition of The Golden Legend and from The English Bible, considered by many to be the masterpiece of the Doves Press. With a "Note from the Printer" which examines several of Pollard's statements about margin and proportion. Bound by Claudia Cohen in vellum-backed paste paper boards, with a central geometric pattern in gilt. Title in gilt on spine. Housed in a cloth folding case. A typically elegant and substantive work from Rollin Milroy's Press. Very fine.