private press

An exceptionally rare edition from a remarkable Montmartre private press, presided over by the eccentric but much respected poet Jean-Paul Hippeau (sometimes known as ‘Harry Hops’). His productions were all printed in letterpress on a handpress, with coloured woodcuts in a primitivist style — the best of the woodcuts, found in the 1927 Solitudes de Purun Bhagat are subtly inked in the Japanese manner.

From a good family, Jean-Paul Hippeau,was born in 1879, son of a consul and musician. Raised in Beauce and educated at the École des Sciences politiques he turned his back on conventional society at a young age and devoted himself to writing and art, living alone in considerable poverty. His charismatic and enigmatic presence was recalled by a contemporary: ‘C’est un lion, avec un béret de velours et un gilet à fleurs. Il imprime ce qui lui plaît sur un méchant gaufrier. Fastueux et pauvre, il incarne le dernier des romantiques…’ (Le Matricule des Anges 237, Éric Dussert)

The colophon reads ‘à la vue de Montmartre, à l’heure où le crépuscule joue avec la Butte sur les nuées changeantes des ciels parisiens … Adieu, rude labeur qui m’a procuré l’illusion d’un beau voyage’. Worldcat records the Bibliothèque nationale copy only (there is also a copy at Boston Athenaeum).

One of 375 numbered sets (number 266). The type of the Shakespeare Head Chaucer is Caslon Old Face and the illustrations of the Canterbury pilgrims are adapted from the Ellesmere manuscript. ‘The first impression is of care in planning, of thought for the reader. A friendly craftsmanship comes from all the pen and brush work in these books. The illustrations enter as a pleasant surprise, rather than necessary parts of the plan. The edition seems complete without them, but we are delighted to find them’ (Franklin, The Private Presses, pp. 149-50). The set comprises The Canterbury Tales (in the first four volumes), Consolation of Philosophy, Troilus and Criseyde, The House of Fame, The Legend of Good Women, later minor poems, doubtful poems, A Treatise on the Astrolabe and The Romaunt of the Rose.

Inscribed by the editor to an early Labour party activist, Walter Coates of Berkshire. One of 75 copies on Essex House paper (there were also 150 copies on ordinary paper) this copy unnumbered. Printed in Endeavour type, illustrations by Edmund H. New. Preface by Sidney Webb. The Cotswold Olimpick Games originated in 1612 in Chipping Campden, England, and continues today. Originally, the Games included competitions such as running, jumping, dancing, and equestrian events, along with traditional contests such as sword, quarterstaff, and sledgehammer throwing. It was of interest to both Webb and Ashbee as evidence of the early communal activities of pre-industrial societies, and worthy of encouraging and reviving as part of the incipient labour movement. Tomkinson 50.