Dard Hunter
Papermaking in Southern Siam, 1936
(Chillicothe, Mountain House Press)
One of 115 copies signed by Hunter.
1321
Quarto. (36)pp., + 25ff. plates and specimens. Hunter was the first Occidental traveler to visit the Niltongkum family, who had been 'making paper by hand along the small canals of...
Quarto. (36)pp., + 25ff. plates and specimens. Hunter was the first Occidental traveler to visit the Niltongkum family, who had been "making paper by hand along the small canals of Southern Siam for more than 200 years [in]...the most interesting primitive paper manufactory in Asia.... This book not only describes in detail the making of the various kinds of Siamese paper from the bark of the khoi tree...but also the journey from Singapore to Bangkok through the rubber plantations and jungles of the Malay peninsula." Contains a specimen of khoi bark and Siamese mould cloth, three additional full-page specimens of Siamese paper, as well as photogravures. Bound in quarter-black morocco with vellum tips and paper boards with a continuous design of Buddhas in black, red, and gold. Prospectus laid in. Light wear to extremities, small nick to very top of front hinge and light scratch along spine. Overall a nearly fine copy of this lavishly produced and beautiful book. The scarcest of all of Hunter's papermaking books. Bookplate of prominent Bay area collectors Babette & Herbert Clayburgh on front pastedown.