Description

Here is another attractive early Roycroft title, “Aucassin & Nicolete”, a love story by Andrew Lang. Published by the Roycrofters/Roycroft Shop in 1899. Wizard of Oz illustrator W W Denslow designed the illumined leading initials throughout the text. This copy special in that is the earliest state of the text with the misprint “Yes” instead of “Yea” on p. 24. “On a High Shelf” author Ogle says “This error is one of the very few cases in which a typographic variation, or “point,” can be used to clarify the precedence of issues in a Roycroft book.” See my article on Denslow and the Roycrofters in the Spring 2015 Baum Bugle. 91 numbered pages, about 5 1/2″ by 8 1/2″. Aucassin was issued with two different cover designs by the Roycrofters; this geometric suede design is not by Denslow himself. With gold silk endpapers and printed on Roycroft paper, periodically watermarked with Denslow’s seahorse Roycroft logo.

In good condition, with light spotting at base of cover, small stain in leather (or glue repair?) on spine edge extending into front hinge, small tear in overlapping leather at base of spine. Interior pages very good, former owner’s name on black endpaper, some of the top edges of leaves uncut. Gold silk bookmark present but detached. A nice way to start your Oz-related Roycroft collection. Photos and description by Wonderful Books of Oz, copyright protected through the DMCA act of 1998.