Description
Here is “The City of Tagaste”, copyright 1900 by Elbert Hubbard, a book printed by the Roycrofters in East Aurora, New York. This has a 3/4 suede binding in rough condition, but is notable for the Elbert Hubbard book plate afixed to the fixed endpaper, and a large original Hubbard photogravure laid in. #97 of a limited run of 940, illumined by Anna Paine and with Hubbard’s signature (likely done by Anna or another Roycrofter). 8 1/4″ x 10 1/2″. Only 21 numbered pages, but lavishly printed with lots of extra blank pages at the beginning and end. A smaller tissue photogravure of Elbert Hubbard tipped in across from the title page, and there are nice Denslow-inspired seahorse watermarks throughout, especially on the last blank page.
The exterior condition is only fair, with substantial loss to the suede on corners, and a little loss to top of spine as well as rubbing to gilt title on spine. The leather is shedding a bit also. Interior is in very good condition, with a tight binding, endpapers slightly dirty, other pages clean and nice. The larger Hubbard photogravure is in good condition with light creasing. The smaller photogravure has a tissue guard tipped in over it and the glue at the corners has darkened. An early example of Roycroft work, with nice added ephemera, offered at a discount due to condition.
