The American Chap-Book [comprising: Eighteenth-Century Chap-Books and Broadsides; Directness and Simplicity; The Use of Borders and Ornaments; Appropriateness; The Abuse of Custom; The Value of Little Things; Cover Designs; Business Cards; Use of Brass Rule; Advertising Display; Booklets; Title Pages] [Offered with] Will Bradley : His Chap Book by BRADLEY, Will (1868-1962) - 1904

Jersey City [N.J.]: American Type Founders Company [through 1905], 1904. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine+. Complete run of 12 issues (two volumes of six numbers), each devoted to a different aspect of American book design, all profusely illustrated and one (Cover Designs) signed. Issued monthly from September, 1904, through August, 1905. Offered with the thirtieth chap book in the typophile series (Will Bradley: His Chap Book), by Peter Beilenson and printed on Strathmore Courier at his Peter Pauper Press, Mount Vernon, New York, in 1955 (400 copies for Typophile subscribers and contributors and 250 copies for general sale). Foolscap 8vo (173 x 104mm): Issued in both patterned paper-covered boards (11 of our 12 numbers) and paper wrappers (as here, "Booklets," July 1905), printed paper title labels to front covers (10 of 12, as issued; two with printed covers), decorative end papers, stitched bindings. Numbers One and Two issued with two supplements (broadsides) each; the supplements in Number One are wanting in our set). An exemplary collection, tightly bound and clean throughout, with several covers nicked at edges, but generally better than Near Fine and clean throughout. Bambace A65. Overseen (and with many contributions—including dozens of woodcuts) by the "Dean of American Designers," Will Bradley, one of America's most influential poster artists and book designers. Bradley began his career as a printer, influenced by Aubrey Beardsley and the Art Nouveau and by such Arts and Crafts artists as Walter Crane and William Morris. In 1904, in conjunction with the American Type Founders Company, he produced The American Chap-Book series, which included illustrations in the thick-lined, woodblock-inspired style of early American printing. In the catalog announcing their publication, the ATF described the illustrations as "not electrotyped, but are cast on solid and accurate point body from deep, clean cut matrices, the same as type, thus insuring perfect printing." N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).