The Elf. A Magazine of Drawings and Writings.

PEAR TREE PRESS. GUTHRIE, James.

Published by The Pear Tree Press, Harting, Petersfield. 1905 - [1912], 1905

About this Item

First edition. Quarto. 82 pages. Frontispiece, pictorial title-page, 24 plates, 5 which are tipped in and include an original photo of the actual press, plus 14 illustrations in the text, some of which are full page. All of these are by James Guthrie, as are most of the texts, in prose and verse, and as is the printing. Linen-backed decorated boards with gilt lettering to spine. Printed on handmade paper. One of 80 copies. The original intention was to issue the contents in four parts, starting in 1905, only two of which appeared. The present book, which is the equivalent of nearly six parts and contains much new material, was published in 1912. A typical Guthrie production, replete with his musings on art and literature, much in the spirit of the Williams, Blake and Morris. Includes an essay on Walt Whitman.Signed and dated by the author/artist on the half-title page in December 1912. On the front free endpaper he has drawn a caricature head of the portrait photographer Edward Cahen as a cat wearing a fez and incorporating his name. Tipped onto the front pastedown are two Autograph Letters Signed by Guthrie and dated 13.12.12 and Dec.17.12: about 120 and 150 words respectively. The first letter presents the book and mentions that no more copies are available. The second one indicates that Cahen has made a photograph of Guthrie who suggests other candidates for the ''gallery'', these being Gordon Bottomley, W.H. Davies, Edward Thomas, Walter de la Mare, Vivian Locke Ellis and Reginald Hallward. The latter contributes the poem ''On a Picture'' to this book.Free endpapers faintly tanned. Small ink spot to top edge of the front cover which also has a few small patches of rubbing. Corners of covers slightly bumped.

Seller Inventory # PEARTREE014201

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Elf. A Magazine of Drawings and Writings.
• Publisher: The Pear Tree Press, Harting, Petersfield. 1905 - [1912]
• Publication Date: 1905
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)