TWENTY-FIVE COLLOTYPES FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY JYOTIRINDRA NATH TAGORE
Hammersmith [London]: Made and Printed by Emery Walker Limited
1914
2-page Introduction by W. Rothenstein + 25 collotype portraits
Size: 12 x 10 inches
CONDITION: Original paper-covered boards with cloth spine. The spine strip lacking. Covers a little dusty but a fine copy of an extremely rare work.
Collotype is a highly sophisticated photographic process and the prints are far superior to metal-based photographic prints.
In this lot there are portraits made by Rabindranath Tagore's elder brother JYOTIRINDRANATH TAGORE (1849-1925) who was not really so much an artist as playwright, musician, editor and translator. But Rabindranath chose to carry a tranche of his portraits to London on his 1912 visit and these so impressed his friend William Rothenstein, painter, printer and art writer, that he declared they were worth publishing. But, sensing their niche attraction, instead of going to amainstream publisher he approached Emery Walker, the English engraver, printer and photographer who was active in the Arts & Crafts Movement on many fronts. He had inspired William Morris to set up the Kelmscott Press and became the inspiration for many private presses in England at the time. In the middle of the First World War Emery Walker took on the project and made and printed the book from his home in Hammersmith, a London suburb, plunging his heart into it. Thus, instead of printing the plates as metal-based photographic prints, in the interest of absolute fidelity to the originals he fell back on the defunct photographic process of collotype printing; as one runs one's fingers over the matt-finish paper one gets the feel of touching the originals. Considering it was produced during the war, from the printer's home at his private press, was about a little-known artist, has no copy in the British Library and has no auction record, the edition must have been quite small.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.