The Sonnets of William Shakespeare William Shakespeare

TITLE: The Sonnets: William Shakespeare with a preface by Robert Graves, the Swallow Press, 1975._____DESCRIPTION: No. 84 of 300 copies, large quarto 13 3/4H x 10W inches, 350 x 255 mm. Preface by Robert Graves. Illustrated with 40 original abstract geometric drawings by Clarke Hutton on a variety of colored papers. Book design by Edward Burrett, a noted specialist in book design. Letterpress printed by W. E. Baxter of Lewes, Sussex, handset in Monotype Perpetua on Antique Laid paper made by Grosvenor Chater at Holywell, Clwyd, North Wales. Binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in full Niger tan morocco with gilt 'shining eye' design on front cover, two raised bands on spine with bold gilt titling and gilt logo of the press, purple and gold endpapers, top edge gilt. Signed by Graves, Hutton and Burrett in the colophon. Each of the 154 sonnets printed on a single page. Book protected with a clear archival Grafix Dura Lar dust wrapper. Matching slipcase covered in the same purple and gold paper as the endpapers. _____CONDITION: Faint 5 x 10 mm stain at top portion of front edge block (see photo). Book is otherwise in fine condition. (Note: white spots on the leather binding are photo artifact). Slipcase: VG+ with a few scattered areas of rubbing and paper loss along edges. Several closed tears (no paper loss or raised paper flaps) along slipcase spine._____DISCUSSION: This is an attractive and distinctive presentation of Shakespeare's sonnets. The type is large, bold and each sonnet is given its own page. The deluxe Niger morocco binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe is a highlight. Clarke Hutton's abstract illustrations give this edition a modern look._____NOTE: International shipping cost to the United Kingdom and Europe is $55 U.S. dollars.