Catalog of the Library of C.H. Clark 2 Vols.

First Edition Limited. Signed by Author Three-Quarter Leather. Just Reduced! This Beautiful and Very Fine two volume set is a descriptive catalog of the Library accumulated by famed collector C.H.Clarke. It is a Privately Printed Limited Edition of 100 copies and and this copy is number 8. The books are gorgeously bound in three-quarter leather over marbled boards with Fine endpapers of marbled design that match the covers.The books are Royal quarto in size (quite large) and the endpapers are hand-painted. There are sewn in silk bookribbons and the ribbon in volume one is unattached but fully present. The spines are leather and are decorated profusely in gilt with six compartments and gilt decoration in each one. The title lettering on the spine is also in gilt and it is still bright and beautiful. This two-volume descriptive catalog lists hundreds of books that were in one of the most significant collections in history. The catalog is pure enjoyment to page through as well as a very important reference for any collector. This is because it is interesting enough for the casual reader while being the work of a very capable bibliophile. This library is of unique interest and this set is very rare. The books can be used to research points of issue and many interesting pieces of information about the book you are checking. As an example of the thoroughness with which this book was done it is only necessary to quote from the prefatory note what is said of the sub-divisions. "The catalog is divided into three parts: A titular descriptive list of the books in the Library followed by bibliographical and other notes detailing their scope and the date of original publication etc". Then there is a list of the short titles of books arranged under 'subjects'. There is also a general index, so arranged that the reader may readily ascertain what works or portions of works relate to any particular matter. Over all this is an entertaining manner in which the curious information has been conveyed. The notes are overflowing with odd bits of learning which take on an added interest from their place in the context alongside all that is essential to know about the imprint, degree of rareness, binding and history of any given work. It includes the mechanism of books, binding, paper, type, size, edition, and printer. It has a wealth of bibliographical, biographical, and literary description, which makes known every characteristic alike of author and book. Consequentially as a book of reference this set has very special value and interest to the book collector. It covers many of the works of famous bookbinders and includes the best of printing and binding and whatever is of bibliographical value. There is very little wear to the books as some of the corners show a very small worn spot and there is tiny wear to the extreme bottom of the spine of volume two. It is not visible looking at the spine of the books. I include with this wonderful set newspaper clippings of reviews of the catalog when it was first published . They come from an 1888 newspaper and are hardly toned from age. Also present is the original bookbinder's label unattached and in pristine condition. The book-binders were Pawson and Nicholson who were working in Philadelphia and were very well known as they are today. These books look incredible on the shelf and will serve any booklover or book collector or any lover of beautiful binding and presentation. Rare and beautiful.…