GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS. JONSON, Ben. ~ A Croppe of Kisses. Selected Lyrics of Ben Jonson chosen, with an appreciation, by John Wallis.
No. 69 of 200 ordinary copies (there were another 50 specially bound). Printed in Caslon Old Face on Batchelor’s handmade paper with the Golden Cockerel watermark. Golden Cockerel device printed in yellow on title page with lettering in red and green, initial letters on each page printed in green, red or blue. Tall thin 4to., original quarter red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with linen sides and the Press device blocked in gilt on the upper cover, spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut. Marking to spine and linen boards, internally very clean.
John Wallis’s appreciation of Jonson is fulsome. He waxes lyrical about his verses: “Who can read them and not love the rough kisses of this sturdy lover of life, this duelling, non-conforming, libellous, honest rogue, this jail-bird favourite of princes.. The beauty and lyrical grace of his songs fill us with wonder...” Irresistible!