Book Description

A fine copy of this splendid edition of T.E. Lawrence's translation of Homer's Odyssey. Bound in full black leather by W. H. Smith & Son Bindery who bound for the Ashendene Press. Printed in typographer Bruce Rogers' Centaur type on light grey Barcham Green paper, watermarked with a Greek galley and printed with aromatic ink that still holds the spicy aroma. The title page and each chapter heading has a gold leaf roundel depicting a Greek vase design, the printing of these took seven separate impressions and along with the typography is a wonderful feature of the book. In Joseph Blumenthal's "Bruce Rogers. A Life in Letters", Blumenthal describes this volume: "I believe the Bruce Rogers Odyssey is indisputably amongst the most beautiful books ever produced. It is difficult to describe a work of genius. In the Odyssey without tricks or accessory decoration, with a classic austerity akin to the timeless proportions of the Parthenon, with only type and paper and ink, with consummate skill, Rogers created a masterpiece". Here indeed is a fine copy of this master work, without doubt one of the most handsome volumes in the Lawrence canon. As an added bonus the Lawrence translation is still most readable, so the volume combines printing excellence with a practical and readable text. Limited to 530 copies. The binding is in fine condition, housed in a custom-made maroon cloth-covered solander box with gilt titles to spine. Small bookplate of previous owner to front pastedown and neat contemporary (1932) inscription to fep. Copy previously owned by Lawrence Scholar Peter Metcalfe, signature pencilled to fep. See for further bibliographical details: O'Brien A141; Wilson, Translating the Bruce Rogers 'Odyssey', Castle Hill Press; Blumenthal, Bruce Rogers. A Life in Letters; Rogers, Paragraphs on Printing.
Author Shaw, T.E. [Lawrence, T.E.]
Date 1932
Binding Full Leather
Publisher Bruce Rogers, Wilfred Merton & Emery Walker
Condition Fine

Price: £5250.00

Offered by Rickaro Books

Friends of the PBFA

For £10 get free entry to our fairs, updates from the PBFA and more.

Please email info@pbfa.org for more information

Join PBFA

Membership of the PBFA is open to anyone who has been trading in antiquarian and second-hand books for a minimum of two years subject to certain criteria.

Email info@pbfa.org to find out more, or complete the enquiry form.

complete the form