OLD STILE PRESS. GILL, Eric. MATHERS, E. Powys. ~ Procreant Hymn - I. Original Version, II. Alternative Version.
Two volumes. 10 copper engravings printed from the original plates by Martyn Grimmer in Bristol on Velin Arches Blanc 200gsm paper. No. 41 of a total edition of 75 copies. Designed, set and printed by Nicolas McDowall in Gill’s Aries Type. Sm. folio, bound by The Fine Book Bindery in Old Stile Press designed paper covered boards, spines lettered in gilt, housed together in the original pale green cloth slipcase. An extremely good copy.
The words and the images appear as the defining text of Gill’s life. Physical love as a gift from God.
When engraving the images for the Golden Cockerel Press Procreant Hymn for which these images were done, Gill produced 4 more explicit erotic engravings which were not to be used in the 1926 publication (three of them were available privately to subscribers as separate prints). The Old Stile Press have reprinted the book, once with the original plates, and once with Gill’s erotic plates to finally give Gill’s dream a physical representation. The printing and the setting are superb examples of fine press work and interestingly the books are set in a little known typeface designed by Gill - Aries.