“LET US NOW PRAISE FAMOUS MEN, AND OUR FATHERS THAT BEGAT US”: THE EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL ASHENDENE PRESS ECCLESIASTICUS, “A BALANCED HARMONY OF DISTINGUISHED ACCOMPLISHMENT”

(BIBLE). The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach Commonly Called Ecclesiasticus. (Chelsea: The Ashendene Press, 1932). Quarto, original full limp orange vellum gilt, silk ties, uncut, original marbled slipcase.

The acclaimed Ashendene Press’ limited edition of the Apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus—the Press’ final original work and widely esteemed as one of its most beautiful productions—one of 328 copies printed on paper (out of a total edition of 353 copies, the remainder printed on vellum), finely printed in red and black type and heightened with hand-colored initials, bound in the original vellum.

Composed in Hebrew in the second century C.E. (A.D.) but preserved in Greek translation, the Wisdom of Ben Sira—also called Sirach or Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with the book of Ecclesiastes)—“directs humanity to the ways of wisdom, virtue and moderation, and emphasizes the importance of well-ordered family life” through maxims, psalms and eulogies of biblical heroes (Bowker, 136). The Ashendene Press published this finely printed limited edition. Established in 1894, the Ashendene Press “ranks with Kelmscott and Doves at the zenith of superb bookmaking… All the elements of that magnificent tradition which has been in the building through 400 years and more of personal endeavor are here blended into a balanced harmony of distinguished accomplishment” (Ransom, 95). The Press spared no expense in crafting its volumes: they were “conceived and exeucted in economic freedom… produced with only one consideration, that they… express the ideal as comprehensively as may be physically possible” (Ransom, 102). The Press’ founder, Charles Harry St. John Hornby, declared this production one of its “most satisfactory” works. Printed in Subiaco type in black with chapter headings, shoulder and margin notes in red. With calligraphic initials in blue and green supplied by hand by Graily Hewitt and his assistants Ida D. Henstock and Helen E. Hinckley. Colophon with printer’s device in red ink. “In this last of the ‘regular books’ [of the Press], qualities which separately had triumphed in many Ashendene volumes were assembled as before the final curtain of an opera” (Franklin, The Ashendene Press, 187).

Slipcase with edges lightly rubbed. A beautiful copy of a splendid production in fine condition.