Scarce with such attributes

Neuberg, Victor ~ Lillygay : An Anthology Of Anonymous Poems : Presentation Copy Inscribed By The Author To The Binder

The Vine Press, Steyning : 1920

The sole UK printing published by The Vine Press, Steyning in 1920. Limited to 590 copies, this is number ‘526’ of 550 'ordinary copies on antique laid paper'. Half title, title printed in red and black with woodcut illustration, full-page woodcut illustrations by Eric and Percy West, the final poem 'Colophon' printed in red. The actual colophon printed in black, the title page unopened at the upper edge. Original brown cloth-backed pictorial paper boards by James Sharp North printed in red and black, printed spine label. The BOOK is in Very Good++ condition. Light pushing at the spine ends with some toning and age related markings to the board edges. Mild rubbing to the corners. Some toning and chipping to the spine paper label. The front free endpaper inscribed, 'This goes forth to the Binder - Than whom none is kinder - James Sharp North: a slight (??) From the Editor, Victor B. Neuburg, Steyning, Sussex, 3i:i:2i.' "The Vine Press at Steyning has produced interesting work, typical of this free and enjoyable period, and its first book, 'Lillygay', issued in 1920, expresses the character of what followed. It is an anthology of anonymous poems. The woodcuts by Percy West are cheerful and chapbook in style, like Tuer's books from the late nineteenth century or Lovat Fraser's more recently, or Jack Yeats in the Cuala Broadsheets ... The type is nothing to write home about but the book is a success ..." (Franklin, The Private Presses (1969)). Victor B. Neuburg was a poet, writer, theosophist and occultist, friend and sometime partner of Aleister Crowley. Having served in the First World War, he moved to Steyning in West Sussex where he founded The Vine Press. The present collection 'Lillygay' was its first publication. Although the title page describes the poems contained in it as 'anonymous', many were largely Neuburg's own work, or his free adaptations of traditional ballads. The composer Philip Heseltine, better known under his pseudonym Peter Warlock, set five of them to music. The book is protected in a removable Mylar archival cover. Scarce.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++