Description
Here is an unusual W. W. Denslow item entitled “Ye Ancient Mariner”, authored by Coleridge and published by the Roycroft Press/Roycrofters in 1899. First thus. With many color illustrations, this is a beautiful book in its own right–but also a fine example of early Denslow design for the Roycrofters, and he is credited as the illustrator. I counted at least 23 printed color images (various sizes woven throughout text) signed with Denslow’s hippocampus (seahorse) mark. This copy is not one of the limited edition runs, but bears additional bronze illumination to the Denslow galleon art on the first page of text and opposite it (sometimes they have only the blue printing). Love the pirate ship illustrations, complete with skulls, shown in the main image.
A nice example of Roycroft design with suede cover and rough cut hand made paper, and beautiful gold silk endpapers. The leather on this copy is in good shape, the brown leather clean and the overhanging yapp edges still intact. The hinges are both cracked and the spine has been re-glued. The pages are in nice shape, with a 1/2″ tear on the title page, and as usual, some transfer of the illumination color to opposing pages. No writing. Original silk bookmark present but detached from top. I try to keep a copy of this wonderful hand-made book in stock, but it keeps flying out of my store! A fun Oz/Denslow–Roycroft cross-collectible.
