Description

LIMITED EDITION, one of only 60 copies printed for sale on Japanese Vellum, hand-numbed. Ex-libris of noted philanthropist Newcomb Cleveland, best known for establishing the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, the oldest and largest award given by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with his engraved "Pro Deo et Patria" armorial book plate. Further provenance of the Williston Memorial Library, Mount Holyoke College, a gift from the Newcomb Cleveland Estate. With an engraved frontispiece portrait of Cowley, printer's emblem in red on titlepage, each poem beginning with a two-line initial printed in red. Small 8vo [12 by 10 cm], in a rich and luxurious binding by Riviere and Son of full red levant morocco, both covers with a wide Art Nouveau style gilt border incorporating gilt floral cornerpieces featuring green morocco inlay leafs, and extensive gilt pointille tooling creating a dense gilt background with multiple gilt fillets, the spine with tall raised bands gilt stippled creating compartments with central floral pieces within dense gilt tooled backgrounds gilt framed, two compartments gilt lettered, gilt date at the foot, gilt ruled board edges, wide turn-ins decorated in the same gilt floral pattern as the spine within multiple gilt rules, t.e.g. Preserved in a fine slipcase of textured marbled paper trimmed in leather. vii, 141pp. A beautiful book in very fine condition, the fine binding in excellent condition, sturdy and sound and without wear, the text likewise in very fine condition.

Edizione: a lovely product of the astolat press made remarkable by its fine riviere and son binding. the astolat press was well known for its very fine and often very limited small format volumes produced in the arts and crafts tradition. their limited editions are highly coveted by bibliophiles and art collectors alike.<br> though less widely read today, abraham cowley was one the leading british poets of the 17th century. his poem the mistress, which is provided within this edition, was one of the most popular poetic pieces of the age.<br> a note on the provenance: in 1923 philanthropist newcomb cleveland donated funds to create the aaas thousand dollar prize. he remained the anonymous benefactor of the award until his death in 1951, after which it was renamed in his honor. cleveland established the prize based on his conviction that individual scientists deserved recognition and an "unexpected monetary award" for their contributions to fundamental knowledge.