ASHENDENE PRESS. BRIDGES, Robert. ~ Poems written in the MCMXIII by Robert Bridges, Poet Laureate.
One of only 85 copies on Batchelor’s 'Bugle' handmade paper, 6 printed on vellum. Printed in black on red in Subiaco type with initials printed in blue and red throughout. 8vo., original linen backed blue paper covered boards, title printed in black on the upper cover. A spine darkened with a little wear to top headcap, boards with some fading and a few small marks, very edges a little darkened but otherwise very good.
This was the first time these 11 poems had been published in book form, and here they were only printed in a small number for private circulation.
Hornby writes in his bibliography that with his own hand these were “printed during the first few months of the Great War...for private circulation only, 50 copies going to the Poet Laureate & the remainder being distributed by myself...When the book was finished the Press was closed down until the beginning of 1920”.
With a presentation letter to ‘Milford’, presumably Bridges’s publisher and head of the Oxford University Press Humphrey Milford, from Robert Bridges at Chilswell (the house he built), dated July 1st 1915, so this is one of the 50 copies printed for the poet. He writes “I said I would send you a copy of Hornby’s book. Here it is. Pls accept it with my compts.”.
With the ex libris of Constance Maria Josepha Hugh Smith and Violet Rawson, Lady Leconfield of Petworth House.