Of Bookmen & Printers: A Gathering of Memories [signed]

Limited to 500 copies of which this is one of 50 copies bound thus by D'Ambrosio and signed by Ritchie and Powell. Designed and written by the printer, Ward Ritchie, this work contains his reminiscences of book collectors, book artists, bookmen and printers. Some of these reminscences are rewritten versions of previously published pieces. These stories include Los Angeles booksellers of the Great Depression and the formation of the Zamorano Club; bookseller Jake Zeitlin; artist and wood engraver Paul Landacre; eccentric book designer Merle Armitage; poet Robinson Jeffers; Jane Grabhorn's irreverent wit and whimsical creations during her days at the Grabhorn Press; Ward's apprenticeship with Francois-Louis Schmied, the Parisian book printer and artist of the 1920's and 30's; music composer John Cage; C.H. St. John Hornby of the Ashendene Press; the former librarian and dean of the UCLA Library School, Lawrence Clark Powell, Ritchie's boyhood friend; and last but not least, the individuals and history of once wealthy and sophisticated Virginia City. The special binding features an unusual two-tone front cover in relief, consisting of a cloth-covered board cut in the shape of an "R" mounted on a paper-covered board. 189, 3 pages. composite boards, slipcase.. 8vo..