Selected Verse.

[Chatfield binding.] - Kipling, Rudyard.

Published by [New York, Mary E. Chatfield, ca. 1910].

About this Item

8vo (119 x 184 mm). Irregular pagination (gathered from various source volumes), overall 246 ff. Full chocolate crushed morocco, stamp-signed by the binder. Pictorial onlay of three monkeys in antelope brown morocco, outlined in gilt. All edges gilt. Custom endleaves. With the binder s matching morocco pull-off case, gilt-lettered and blind-stamped with a monkey vignette. A unique, hand-made collection of Kipling's verse, with a custom binding by the acclaimed artist and bookbinder, Mary Chatfield. An elusive figure, her bindings are sought-after rarities. - The poems, including Kipling favourites such as "The Legend of Evil", "Mandalay", and "If", have all been taken from different source volumes and expertly re-cut to the custom binding, with the edges gilt. Aside from variations in the size of the type and irregular pagination, there are no conspicuous hints of this composite origin, as the elegantly crafted volume conveys a harmonious impression, with a hand-written title-page. - Chatfield chose a monkey-motif as the uniting theme of the binding, with three monkeys on the front and rear covers, drawn from the first piece in the volume, "The Legend of Evil": "This is the horrible story / Told as twilight fails / And the monkeys walk together / Holding each other's tails". A vignette of a monkey is also blind-stamped on the outer case. The inside of the upper cover features a beautiful doublure depicting a scene of Mandalay at twilight. - Mary E. Chatfield's work was commissioned by many of New York's eminent bibliophiles and private libraries prior to her tragic early death in 1913. A Southerner by background, her work embraced the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, born out of protest against the increasing mechanisation and homogenisation of the artistic world. This unique and beautiful hand-crafted volume expresses these ideals well. - It is unknown precisely how many bindings by Mary Chatfield are in existence, but every work by her is unique. - Some rubbing to outer case, a couple of minor discolourations to cover, corners very lightly worn, otherwise very good. A very small number of minor marginal tears, one page with light pencil markings, otherwise insides clean and crisp, excellent condition. - From a European private collection.

Seller Inventory # 68646

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Selected Verse.
• Publisher: [New York, Mary E. Chatfield, ca. 1910].
• Binding: Hardcover
• Weight: 1000 grams
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature after 1880