Gill, Eric--Saint Dominic's Press

4to, [one of 200 copies of which around 180 copies were destroyed], printed in red and black, VARIANT ISSUE with fourteen wood-engravings by Eric Gill (with pp.[3-4] blank), additional small engraving by an unknown artist on p.[14], printed music in red and black, original brown cloth backed grey paper boards, some browning and occasional spotting, binding worn, some spotting to boards

Gill 388b; Taylor and Sewell A131c

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN EXTREMELY RARE ERIC GILL AND ST. DOMINIC'S PRESS ITEM.

The standard issue of this title includes 15 Gill engravings and is bound in linen boards. According to Taylor and Sewell's bibliography of the Press, the book was issued in three variants: one with a handwritten limitation by Pepler; one bound in pale grey paper boards; and finally, as this copy, without Gill's engraving "The Last Judgement" on p.[3]. This example is bound in the same manner as A131b in pale grey paper boards backed with brown cloth.

This title is thought to now exist in only around twenty copies, since Pepler, dissatisfied with the finished book, decided to destroy most of the print run. A letter from the printer found in a copy offered by G.F. Sims in 1966 explains: "I much regret the delay (the binder's fault) in sending you this proof - Lectiones - of my good and bad work in one book. I have decided to withdraw it from my list and destroy all but about 20 copies. So this will have a scarcity value..." (see Eric Gill - A Bibliography, Winchester, 1991, p.233).