The Sonnets

Item Details

London, Swallow Press,, 1975, Leather

Limited, Fine in a Very Good Slipcase

This fine press limited edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets is distinguished by a preface by Robert Graves and original drawings by Clarke Hutton. Designed by Edward Burrett, the volume combines traditional fine-book production with striking modernist illustrations.

Printed on Glastonbury Antique Laid paper by W. E. Baxter and bound in full Niger leather by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, this is an attractive example of postwar British fine press publishing. Limited to 300 numbered copies, with the signatures of Graves, Burrett, and Hutton.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Full brown Niger leather by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, with gilt spine lettering and decorative gilt cover device. Large quarto, approximately 13.5 inches tall. Distinctive purple and gold geometric patterned endpapers. Top edge gilt; original slipcase. Number 146 of 300 copies. Illustrated with drawings by Clarke Hutton, including abstract and geometric compositions accompanying the sonnets designed for this production. Shakespeare's complete sequence of 154 sonnets, with a preface by Robert Graves. Designed by Edward Burrett; printed by W. E. Baxter Limited, Lewes, Sussex, on Glastonbury Antique Laid paper made by Grosvenor Chater.

CONDITION: FINE. Exceptionally well preserved, with clean text, bright gilt decoration, and sound binding. The Slipcase has light scuffing and general handling wear.

SHAKESPEARE, GRAVES, AND THE ART OF THE BOOK—A COLLABORATION OF THREE DISTINCTIVE TALENTS.
This edition brings together Shakespeare's enduring poetry, Robert Graves's literary interpretation, Clarke Hutton's modernist illustrations, and Edward Burrett's book design. Hutton's 40 geometric drawings, printed on contrasting colored papers, give the volume a particularly distinctive visual character.

The involvement of Sangorski & Sutcliffe, one of Britain's best-known fine bookbinders, and the use of handmade laid paper place this edition firmly within the tradition of twentieth-century British fine press production.

GENRES: Fine Press, Limited Edition, Illustrated Literature, Poetry, Fine Binding, Book Arts.

SUBJECTS: William Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Sonnets, Robert Graves, Clarke Hutton, Edward Burrett, British Fine Press, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, Modernist Illustration, Book Design.

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