London: Golden Cockerel Press, 1937. This is a collection of prospectuses for five of the books issued by the famed Golden Cockerel Press in 1937. There are six prospectuses, with two copies for one of the titles. They are held in a green folder with a stylized illustration of a cock in a cocked hat and frock coat in black and the title "The Golden Cockerel Private/ Press Books /Spring List 1937." The inside two pages of the folder are printed with an essay about the private press - what it is and isn't - and an announcement for the upcoming publication of Paradise Lost in May. The back of the folder has a notice to subscribers that most of their editions are oversubscribed upon announcement, and excerpts from positive reviews of some of their earlier publications.

The prospectuses are as follows with information from the Cock-a-Hoop bibliography published by the Private Libraries Association in 1976:

P118. The Book of Days by Llewlyn Powys. Four pages, printed on Batchelor laid hand-made paper, with a collotype reproduction of an etching by Elizabeth Corsellis and a specimen page. 13 1/8 x 9 3/8 inches. 4,000 copies.

P120. Bligh's Voyage in the Resource. Two copies. One sheet, two pages, printed on white laid paper, with a wood engraving by Peter Barker-Mill. 12 1/8 x 7 1/2 inches. 5,000 copies.

P121. A Croppe of Kisses by Ben Jonson. Four pages, printed on white laid paper with a Cockerel device on the front, with a specimen page and an appreciation. Inserted is the subscription form. 12 1/8 x 7 3/8 inches. 5,000 copies.

P122. Ana the Runner by Patrick Miller. Four pages, printed on white wove paper. with a wood engraving by Clifford Webb on a specimen plate and a specimen page from chapter I. 8 3/4 x 5 5/8 inches. 7,000 copies.

P123. The First Fleet with introduction and notes by Owen Rutter. Two pages, printed on white laid paper, with a wood-engraving by Peter Barker-Mill. 12 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches. 5,500 copies.

The prospectuses are all in near fine condition, the larger ones with horizontal fold lines from mailing. The green folder holding the items is faded lightly worn and creased around the edges. There is a horizontal fold line for mailing. The folder measures 9.5 x 13.5 inches. A very nice representative collection of ephemera from this renowned 20th century private press. Very good condition. PRI/041223. Very Good.

Item #36527

Price: $375.00