Spring 1930 [Prospectus.]

Bookseller Notes

The border to the front, the crowing cockerel at the head of the Gibbings introduction and the Press device at rear are all the work of Eric Ravilious.An important prospectus in the life of the Press, what Colin Franklin describes as 'an aperitif' before the 'feast', in which 'a grand gathering is heralded. The woodcuts and specimen pages alone make this a memorable prospectus'. Amogst the work being announced and here illustrated are Gill's 'Four Gospels' and 'Canterbury Tales', as well as a further sample page showing Robert Gibbings' decoration for the head of 'Paradise Lost' - Gibbings is here listed as the sole illustrator, though in the event contributed only the title-page with Mary Groom's engravings being used within. This, therefore, is the sole appearance of Gibbings' unused illustration work on this book - a tantalising hint at what might have been.