Bussum, Netherlands: C.A.J. van Dishoeck, [1921]. Softcover. One of 200 copies. Now scarce. This is a lovely small book in Dutch with a poem by well known writer P.C. Boutens. Pieter Cornelis Boutens (1870 – 1943) was a Dutch poet, classicist, and mystic. His debut as a poet was the Utrecht Student Almanac in 1891. His early work was inspired by the verses of Herman Gorter; later sources of inspiration were Plato, Sappho and the Bible. Boutens' style became based on the idea of achieving a "higher reality". In the course of 45 years, he published some 20 volumes of poetry, but also a large number of translations of Ancient Greek (i.a. Iliad and Odyssey), Persian, French, German and English poets.
CAJ van Dishoeck was a Dutch publishing house that was founded in 1889 by the founder of the same name. Cornelis Anthonij Jacobus van Dishoeck (1863 – 1931) was a member of the Van Dishoeck family, which came from Zierikzee and was included in the Dutch Patriciaat .After his education and experiences in bookstores between 1880 and 1888 (including in Leipzig ), he settled in Leiden and started a publishing house there in 1889. In 1898 he moved it to Amsterdam and finally to Bussum in 1903 where he called his villa Zeelandia. In the Netherlands he published work by Johan de Meester , but also the famous Beatrijs by PC Boutens and other works by that poet, such as Alianora .Van Dishoeck's publications were known for their beautiful design. He also attracted artists such as Jan Toorop and Jan van Krimpen . He also chose well-known artists such as Edzard Koning and Willem Vaarzon Morel for the illustrations . Moreover, he often published luxury editions of his publications: on handmade or Japanese paper, bound in full parchment or full leather, often in small, but sometimes unknown editions [Wikipedia Dutch version].
The five striking black and white woodcuts ncluding title page) were done by Joan Collette (1889 – 1958). He was a Dutch engraver, graphic designer, illustrator, monumental artist, painter, glass painter, wall painter, draughtsman, manufacturer of mosaics and bookbinding designer. Bound in plain white paper wrappers with a dark blue cover with a printer device in red on the front cover. Very light signs of handling. Interior pages are clean and bright. Printed in black letter type with occasional blue Initials. Near fine condition. Measures 5 x 6.5 inches. Unpaginated. [18 pages] PRI/111523. Near Fine. More