Cantique des Cantiques de Salomon.
(Weimar): Cranach Press, 1931. Tall octavo. 32, (2)pp. From the French edition of 164 copies, this is one of 50 on Japon. Printed in blue and black, and illustrated throughout with eleven wood engravings and decorative 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 full orange morocco by Otto Dorfner, with gilt tooling and titling to covers. T.e.g. Small spot of discoloration to upper cover, otherwise a fine copy of a book of distinction, sought after as a major illustrated private press book and one of the outstanding efforts of the Cranach Press. It is 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." Housed in a fleece-lined drop-back box. Item #30712
(Müller Krumbach 56; Gill 284; The Artist & the Book 121).
Price: $7,500.00