UP AND DOWN AND AROUND : (Custom Signed Leather Binding by Sangorski and Sutcliffe of London); A PUBLISHER RECOLLECTS THE TIME OF HIS LIFE

Quarto. Bound in plain reddish-brown, finely-grained morocco (goatskin) leather covered boards (9 1/4 in. x 6 1/8 in.). Five raised bands (six compartments) with title and author in bright gilt to second and third compartment, respectively. The ever-so-slightest rubbing to top corners, a tiny white line to fedge of rear board, about 1.5 inches down. Turn-ins single-ruled in gilt. Stone marbled endpapers in custom gilt, white, brown and black. "Signed" by binders at bottom of front pastedown. Gorgeous! Sangorski and Sutcliffe were arguably the greatest trade binders of the early twentieth century. This book, a memoir by Augustus "Cass" Canfield, longtime publishing executive and longtime president and chairman of Harper & Brothers. The book itself is not particularly rare, but the stunning custom binding strongly suggests that it was crafted for someone quite accomplished and/or noteworthy in the publishing field -- if not Mr. Canfield himself, though no name appears within.