Four Quartets T. S. Eliot

TITLE: Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot, Printed by the Officina Bodoni (Verona) for Faber and Faber (London), 1960.____DESCRIPTION: No 124 of 290 copies. 11 7/8 x 7 7/8" (30.3 x 20.3 cm), [1]. 53 pp, [1] colophon leaf. Quarter vellum with green and tan marbled paper over boards. Spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, other edges uncut. Matching marbled paper covered slipcase. Handsomely printed by Giovanni Mardersteig in Dante type on handmade paper by Fratelli Magnani in Pescia using a 19th century handpress at the Officina Bodoni in Verona. Colophon with Officina Bodoni device printed in red. Signed by T. S. Eliot in ink.____CONDITION: Book: Fine condition. Vellum spine clean and bright, gilt titling sharp and well preserved. Text block firm and square, all hinges intact. Small ex-libris (6.5 x 3.5 cm or 2 1/2 x 1 3/8") on front pastedown. Rubbing to lower corner tip of front cover. Otherwise a fine copy throughout. Slipcase: VG+. All seams intact, small bump at foot of spine, head of spine and corner tips very lightly rubbed, small areas of paper loss at lower front and upper rear corners of slipcase and base of slipcase, otherwise well maintained.____DISCUSSION: Four Quartets is the defining work of the second half of Eliot's career and his most important work after The Waste Land. The four meditations reflect both Eastern and Western influence combined with Eliot's brand of Catholicism. The quality, book design and style are identical to the Officina Bodoni edition of The Waste Land with Four Quartets being slightly taller in height. A highly collectible copy with very minor flaws as described and photographed.____NOTE: International shipping cost is $55 U.S. dollars.