TITLE: HARPEL'S TYPOGRAPH OR BOOK OF SPECIMENS CONTAINING USEFUL INFORMATION, SUGGESTIONS AND A COLLECTION OF EXAMPLES OF LETTERPRESS JOB PRINT ARRANGED FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF MASTER PRINTERS, AMATEURS, APPRENTICES, AND OTHERS
Harpel, Oscar H.
Published by Oscar H. Harpel, Cincinnati, 1870
Original gilt-stamped green cloth, edges stained red..9 3/8” x 6 ½”
Collation as follows; colored frontispiece, colored half-title, colored title, folding plate of a portrait of Gutenberg, black & white title, 252pp., followed by 16pp. of adverts. in several colors. There are also 18 unpaginated plates [5 folding] not included in collation [except Gutenberg plate]. Collated; complete.
CONDITION: Original ownership inscription w. date, neatly done on top of title.
Recased in 2003. The original spine laid down; end papers renewed with like double-sided vintage paper. Top board dust stained. Marginal damp-stain on bottom and fore-edge not affecting text or borders. Fades after the first 90pp. [see pics] Some chipping to 20pp in same area of the damp-stain [see pics]. Two marginal tears noted; a few of the folded plates have had folds strengthened with archival repair tape. Owner has treated the book with deacidification spray from Talas Supplies in NYC to neutralize any acid in the paper.
DESCRIPTION: from preface; “The various specimens herein displayed have been taken, except in obvious instances, from the current transactions of a regular printing office, and were not especially designed for the pages of this book…The presswork on nearly all of the pages was done in ordinary course by average workmen, and is not offered for critical judgement…and may be accomplished on job presses now in vogue. Quarto and half-medium bed-and-platen presses were used throughout the main body of the work.” The author hoped “that the TYPOGRAPH may aid to inaugurate a better understanding of the tasteful utility as well as artistic scope of typography in the present day.”
This is the most spectacular display of amazing late 19th C. letterpress printing gathered in one place. All text pages framed in different borders, many pages in color and/or silver and gold. Several full color plates; some via letterpress, some are lithographs. Several plates showing very large wood engravings, one folding. Along with all the decorated types, borders and colors amazingly composed into advertisements, Harpel also gives printer’s instructions on setting up a printing office, composition and the pressroom…. Only one copy listed online at present from Oak Knoll. They had two copies listed on their website and ABE in Dec., both had been recased. Prices were $2,700 & $2,400. One remains at present. Ex libris, D. Greer
INFO: Much of what I list is for friends. Most of my type sales are private, so my ebay listing is sporadic. I sell old and new types, type-founding artifacts & tools, type-cabinets & cases, book-binder's tools & other letterpress items from my shop. I list books on printing, type specimens, private press books & ephemera, fine printing, typography, wood engravings, De Pol engravings [and a few De Pol blocks], early printed leaves and books about books.
I welcome your questions. Thanks for looking. I really do appreciate it !
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