Specimens: A Stevens-Nelson Paper Catalogue
New York: Stevens-Nelson, 1953. First edition. Folio (29.9 x 24.6 cm). 107 specimen sheets, some with illustrations. Original quarter blue morocco, marbled boards, gilt-lettered on spine. In the publisher's plain board slipcase (light wear). A fine copy. Item #410727
With presentation leaf to Sidney Cockerell. According to notes left by the binder Laura S. Young, the book was a gift from Peggy Loos in 1954 when it was being discarded (her husband Melvin Loos was the manager of the Columbia University Printing Office). In the1950’s Ms. Young was teaching bookbinding (along with Gerhard Gerlach) in the Columbia Graphic Arts Program, and Hollis Holland, who did the calligraphy presentation page, was also teaching in the program. The marbled paper on the cover is not a Cockerell paper, and it is that is the possible reason that this copy was not presented to him.
A tour-de-force of midcentury design and printing techniqueson a wide variety of paper and other media – including a specimen of Print magazine printed on wood veneer (no. 40). The cover of the 1952 exhibition catalogue of the Estelle Doheny collection of Bibles is no. 77. The 8-page price list dated July 1953 is loosely inserted, with inkstamp noting that 50 new handmade papers have been added to stock since the printing of the list.
"Probably the most varied sample book of handmade and mould-made papers ever done, this book contains the work of more than 150 designers, printers and papermakers of ten countries. Papers of both the West and the Orient are included" (Schlosser 59). The texts were designed or printed by Bruce Rogers, Joseph Blumenthal, the Curwen Press, Mardersteig, the Plantin Press et al.
Price: $300.00