James I of Scotland
The King's Quair, 1906
Chiswick: Caradoc Press
One of fourteen copies on vellum.
2150
24mo. 78pp. Opposite the first page of text is the crest of James I printed in red, surrounded by an ornamental border in black. The red and black printing continues...
24mo. 78pp. Opposite the first page of text is the crest of James I printed in red, surrounded by an ornamental border in black. The red and black printing continues throughout, in the Arts & Crafts style that had come to characterize British fine presswork of the period. The evocation of medieval and early modern book design, which was embedded in the Arts & Crafts ethos, is here fittingly applied to James I's "quair," a lengthy romantic poem attributed to him. James I concludes the poem with references to John Gower and Geoffrey Chaucer, a near-contemporary acknowledgement of the literary significance of both authors (James I was born in 1394 and Chaucer died in 1400). Bound in limp vellum with green ties, all intact. Minimal soiling to covers, slight rubbing at left margin of gilt spine title, chipping to exposed edge of protective tissue, which extends well beyond the text block. Near fine.


