A Set Of Two Volumes Of ‘The Mandrake Series’ : ‘The Mandrake’ : ‘The Second Mandrake’

A set of two volumes of 'The Mandrake' publications : The sole printings published by The Royal College of Arts between 1926 and 1927. Vol. 1) The Mandrake : May 1926. With the original pictorial printed card covers wrappers designed by Edward Bawden. Vol. 2) The Second Mandrake : May 1927. With the original pictorial printed card wrappers. Only two hundred copies of each book were issued. Both volumes are in Very Good++ condition. The covers are only very lightly spotted and marked. Mild creasing and light edge-wear. A little staining to the plain rear cover of Vol.1. The books present very well in the removable Mylar archival covers. Internally some mild rusting to the staples and some spotting and toning throughout to the page edges, less so to volumes 2. Free from inscriptions and bookplates. Illustrations and decorations by Edward Bawden (some unattributed), Dalby, Marfitt, Livett and others with some being hand-coloured. The volumes have not undergone any restoration or repairs. A very early set of two volumes of the annual publication by The Royal College of Arts relating to Bawden and Ravilious, having been preceded by the earlier RCA publication 'Gallimaufry'. Bawden et al. displaying their talents whilst in their early 20's ! P.31 of The Mandrake features one of Ravilious's earliest wood-engravings, 'Plants in a Drum' from 1923 (Greenwood G.003). Due to their fragility and extreme scarcity, such copies very rarely turn up on the open market. Both copies protected in removable archival folders. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.