Poley’s St. Paul survey: A fine example of British private press printing, 1927

Beschreibung

Arthur F. E. POLEY: ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL LONDON. Measured, drawn & described by Arthur F. E. Poley (…) With frontispiece and 31 (nos. II-XXVII) plates after ink and pencil drawings, of which 8 tissue guarded collotype reproductions, each depicting views, details, elevations, plans, profiles and sections of the cathedral, 4 text illustrations with details of it’s interior, as well as an illustrated title-page with title printing in red and black and incorporating a collotype reproduction of „The Medal of The Royal Institute of British Architects presented to the Author“ for this work. London: Self published (Wittingham and Griggs, Chiswick Press), 1927.

Elephant Folio. (56,5:38 cm, book-block). 54 pages [I-VI] VII-XVI (pre-title, printed dedication for the author’s mother, title)], 1-29 [30], [I] II-VII [VIII] (Appendices)]. Collotype, cliché and letterpress on heavy wove paper with a »W KING ALTON MILL« watermark, bound by Zaehndorf in contemporary half-morocco on 5 raised bands over buckram covered boards, the upper board with a striking large gilt profile of the cathedral’s west front, gilt spine with lines and framework incorporating floral themes and title in the 2nd compartment, as well as gilt top edge and gorgeously marbled end papers.

First edition of this architectural survey of St. Paul’s, the most complete and detailed pictorial study of this most famous London cathedral, and a particularly strong example of British art deco style private press printing.

Contents: Printed by the renown Chiswick Press (printers of William Morris‘ early works) on elegant typeface and with wide margin on a high-quality wove paper with a »W Kind Alton Mill« watermark, present series of 32 skilful ink and pencil drawings and accompanying text of London architect Arthur F. E. Poley represent the most complete and detailed pictorial study of this most famous London cathedral. The collotype plates are particularly strong in colour intensity and contrast. „Mr. Poley has at length done justice to St. Paul’s in a series of 32 plates which seem to me in their accuracy and precision of draughtsmanship quite the best thing of its kind that has been done in this country.“ (Sir Reginald Blomfield, Preface).

Prebound is a list of plates and one of the subscribers to this extraordinary private press publication, which even Queen Mary could not resist acquiring.

Condition: Skilfully rebacked using the complete original spine, with very little loss of leather at top, bottom and joints. Edges and corners of binding minimally bumped, the buckram boards with a few barely recognisable scratches, otherwise a marvellous copy. The original slipcase is missing, the boards are in very good condition and almost not worn however.