CRANACH PRESS. GILL, Eric. ~ Canticum Canticorum Salomonis.
11 wood-engravings and 18 wood-engraved initials by Eric Gill. Jenson Antiqua type cut for the Press by E. Prince, printed in red and black throughout. One of 200 paper copies, out of a total edition of 268 numbered copies (this no.41) and editions in French and German. Tall 8vo., original half parchment over buff paper boards, spine lettered in gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, in original dust jacket (spine of jacket a little darkened with a few tiny chips).t. An extraordinarily bright and fresh copy.
A superb copy. Inserted loose is a 4 page list of former publications of the Cranach Press, plus two prospectuses with an original Gill engraving, one on paper and one on japon, for the English edition distributed by Douglas Cleverdon.
Kessler seems to have got the very best out of Gill, with a darker mood and deeper intensity in his engravings than was usual for the artist. Some of this is achieved by the style of printing but much must have been due to Kessler's tight control of the production and strong influence over Gill's work for it. The partnership produced a truly remarkable work of art.