Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negros. Recommended to the Professors of Christianity of Every Denomination

[The Gehenna Press] Woolman, John; Leonard Baskin, illustrator; Frederick Tolles, afterword

Published by The Gehenna Press, Northampton, MA, 1970

About this Item

Hardcover. One of 250 numbered copies, with a signed linecut portrait of Woolman by Leonard Baskin on the title page and an additional copy of the portrait on Japanese paper, also signed, is laid in. The portrait is based on a drawing done from memory by Robert Smith III. This edition was printed at The Gehenna Press to memorialize the bicentennial of John Woolman's death in 1772. This is a reprint of Woolman's book that was first published by James Chattin in Philadelphia in 1754. Woolman was a Quaker who advocated the abolition of slavery. This copy is unique in that it was personally bound by master binder Arno Werner for himself, with his label affixed to the front pastedown bearing his initials and his name written there in ink. His beautiful binding is in full brown morocco, with titling in gilt to cover and spine, with blind and gilt rules, and turn-in gilt with an oakleaf roll design. Arno Werner (1899-1995), was a German-born bookbinder who was credited with keeping the craft alive in the United States, His work, often executed in painstakingly hand-tooled morocco leather, was marked by a sturdy yet elegant simplicity. Until 1982 he was chief bookbinder for rare editions at the Houghton Library at Harvard University. A modest man, he quietly spent years working 12-hour days, doing good work, and training fine young people to carry on the craft. His emotional and financial support of former apprentices is legendary. Printed in Centaur and Arrighi types on Fabriano paper, and printed by master pressman Harold McGrath. With marbled endpapers by Arno Werner. The text was completed in 1970 but the afterword by Frederick Tolles was not printed until 1975. Housed in a brown cloth clamshell box with a leather spine with gilt titling. The box is also lined with Werner's marbled papers and has his label with his initials. Inside the box is a letter dated March 1985 to David Block of The Book Block from Bromer Bookselllers saying that they would hold a copy of the Baskin Woolman print for ten days. In fine condition in a near fine clamshell box. Measures 5.5 x 8 inches. 85 pages plus 6 pages printed on blue paper with an afterword on Woolman and slavery. PRI/100224.

Seller Inventory # 37512

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negros. Recommended to the Professors of Christianity of Every Denomination
• Publisher: The Gehenna Press, Northampton, MA
• Publication Date: 1970
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine
• Signed: Signed
• Seller catalogs:
  • American History
  • African American Studies
  • Private Press