A Catalogue for Typophiles of Books of Typographical Interest; Preceded by "Typophily," an Essay; Also, a Letter and a Note (Catalogue No. 195, March 1932)

Original publisher's brown-gray paper wrappers. Black lettering on front. No lettering on spine. This catalogue was designed and printed by R. & R. Clark, Limited of Edinburgh. 6" x 9 1/2." Fifty-nine pages, complete. Pages are virtually pristine and intact except for light age toning and slight wear to extremities. Covers are clean and intact overall except for browning, some offsetting, wrinkling (especially along edges and spine), a few tiny closed tears, a few small chips, and some chipping and splitting along spine. Loosening along front and back inner hinges but wrappers still holding. A Very Good copy. "Catalogue No. 195, March 1932." A love letter to typography in the form of a bibliographic catalogue containing 480 entries. As noted by Holbrook Jackson in his introductory essay, "Typophily," the contents of the catalogue seek to show a carefully curated sample of literary and typographic specimens that showcase the art and craft of typography. Jackson argues that it is in the domain of the state to create a comprehensive catalogue of typography spanning the centuries. He commends the endeavors of private individuals whose collections, he says, have a charming character that might be absent in a sweeping collection that attempts to chronicle the progress of typography, book-making, and printing. He likens these smaller collections to constellations in the night sky. Jackson says the specimens listed herein represent notable examples of typography. Divided into two parts: "Books Printed by Famous Prints, Etc." and "Type-Specimen Books, Manuals, Biographies of Printers, Etc." In the first part, many of the entries are categorized by their associated printing press. Each entry is relatively brief (a few lines or so) and describes bibliographic information about the literary or typographic item such as title, author, appearance, and publication year. Example listing: "[Printed by] Aldus Manutius the Older; [Listing] 1: Martialis. 19th century morocco, extra, gilt edges. Venice, 1501. [British pound symbol] 3/3/-- 8vo. Renouard I. Page 71. The title-page is slightly torn and has been neatly repaired." The remaining entries follow a similar structure. "Notes on the Golden Cockerel Press" (an about-one-page note or essay) by Moira Gibbings included on Pages 27-28. Pages 37-38 contain the transcription of Francis Meynell's 1932 letter (about 3/4 page) in which he writes about the Nonesuch Press he co-owned and the books he has selected from said press for this catalogue.…