ASHENDENE PRESS. ~ The Song Story of Aucassin and Nicolete. Done into English by Andrew Lang.
No. 9 of 40 copies. Woodcut border designed by Cassandra Barclay, Cicely Hornby's sister. Printed in Fell pica black letter on special Ashendene paper, handmade by Batchelor. Half sheet 8vo., original holland (linen backed blue paper covered boards), printed paper spine label, uncut. The spine label is rather worn, corners bumped and rubbed, spine very slightly rubbed,edges a little browned, otherwise a very good copy.
Ownership inscription in ink on the front free endpaper “C. Cassandra Barclay from C.H. StJ. Hornby”, possibly in the hand of her sister, Cicely Hornby, wife of the printer. Cassandra Barclay designed the woodcut border for this book, as she had for the Milton so perhaps this is the best possible association copy.
It is a very well-balanced book with the black letter type being perfect for the text and sitting extremely well on the page with large margins. Emery Walker wrote to Hornby praising it heartily: "I admire the way you have managed to set the bk. without breaking the words & the press work is worthy of all praise." It was printed for private circulation but later one or two copies were sold.
The last book to be printed on Hornby's original Albion before Hornby built his new printing rooms and installed his new, larger press.