Canticum Canticorum Salomonis Quod Hebraice Dicitur Sir Hasirim.
(Weimar): Cranach Press, 1931. Tall octavo. 31, (1)pp. From an edition of 268 copies, this is one of 200 copies on handmade Maillol-Kessler paper. Printed in red and black and illustrated throughout with wood engravings and decorated initials by Eric Gill. This ancient dialogue between the Bride and Groom is one of the most lyrical love passages of all time. Bound in half vellum and plain boards with original dust wrapper and slipcase. T.e.g. A fine copy with the usual slight foxing to the fore-edge and some to vellum on spine. Bifolium listing previous Cranach Press publications laid in, along with another bifolium Christmas greeting, featuring a wood engraving from the book. A book of distinction, sought after as a major illustrated, private press book and one of the outstanding efforts from the Cranach Press. It is perhaps worth noting that this book appeared at a time when the effects of the Great Depression were really being felt. This was not lost on Kessler, who remarked in a letter to Gill that "one must hope that a sufficient number of people and fortunes have survived the crisis and will continue to buy fine books and thus make their production possible." Item #30161
(Müller Krumbach 56; Gill 284; The Artist & the Book 121).
Price: $2,500.00