GOODEN, Stephen. MOORE, George. ~ Peronnik the Fool.
One of 525 copies, signed by the author and the artist. 9 copper engravings by Stephen Gooden. Printed by Walter Lewis at the Cambridge University Press on Millbourn handmade paper. 4to., original full vellum over boards, gilt lettering on spine and upper cover, in the original card slipcase with printed paper spine label. An extremely good copy, slipcase a bit worn and browned.
Moore’s adaptation of the Breton folk tale, originally written for inclusion in the author’s ‘Heloise and Abelard’.
Stephen Gooden (1892-1955) was one of the finest line engravers of his era. His work was mainly for ex libris, including a number for the Royal Family, and book illustration for private presses, such as the Nonesuch Press Bible, Aesop’s Fables, George Moore’s Brook Kerith and this work. He was also the official designer to the Bank of England. His work is exquisite, rich and full of humour and atmosphere. George Moore rated him highly, rather grandly equating his work to that of Durer.