Mosaique

1901 · 101718 — London: Printed by Edward Arnold for the Essex House Press under the care of C. R. Ashbee 1901. No. 229 of 250 copies. 12mo 6 x 4-1/2 inches. Title-page woodblock by T. Sturge Moore engraved initials. xiv 257 1 pp. text in black and red. Fine mosaic binding covers and four spine panels filled by a complex pattern of curved morocco inlays in four colors t.e.g. doublures with gilt-ruled inlaid borders silk endleaves by Curtis Walters signed on rear turn-in; fine in a custom half morocco chemise and morocco-tipped slipcase some old tape-strengthening to slipcase. A stunning perfectly preserved mosaic binding by the American binder Curtis Walters who specialized in such intricate and colorful mosaic bindings executed with an astonishing level of precision. This is one of a group of such bindings consigned by Walters to Parke Bernet and sold there 10 December 1957 lots 13-35 this lot 27.From the Park Bernet catalogue: "Mr. Walters was influenced to take up bookbinding around 1900 by the late George D. Smith eminent bookseller. Later he studied with Matthews the Club Bindery and Stikeman. He conceived his ideas about mosaic bindings as early as 1904 but between 1907 and 1928 he remained inactive. He has invented and brought to perfection a new technique whereby the most intricate inlaid designs can be achieved by a few simple tools without the use of dies or punches; gilt dots circlets and fillets are generally applied with restraint. Mr. Walters’ work has received wide recognition. Some of his early bindings are included in the Henry W. Poor collection and almost all of those offered for sale here have been exhibited in Paris 1930 New York Columbia University 1935 Hamburg Kunstgewerbeschule 1933-36 and Berlin 1936." Lawrence Thompson heaps further praise on Walters from "Hand Bookbinding in the United States Since the Civil War": "The infinite variety of design permitted by mosaic work is combined with Walters' marvelous delicacy in color schemes finely conceived geometric patterns and tasteful use of gold leaf to produce books that no Americans save perhaps the artists of the Club Bindery could have matched. The utter simplicity of Walters' methods he used but four tools belies his perseverance and devotion to his art. Only infinite patience and consummate skill could have produced Walters' bindings."Walter's bindings appear infrequently on the market — this is a choice example of his artistry. Printed by Edward Arnold for the Essex House Press, under the care of C. R. Ashbee unknown