HOMÊROU BATRACHOMUOMACHIA. Homeri Batrachomyomachia.

Maastricht, The Halcyon Press, 1929. (Colophon: 'Trajecti ad Mosam (vulgo Maastricht) editum impensis Alexandri Stols') 4to. (20) p. Red/brown morocco. 28.5 cm (On the last page: 'Haec BATRACHOMYOMACHIA HOMERI editio anno Mdccccxxix impressa est Harlemi in Officina Enschedaniana typis graecis, quorum forma inventa est a Iano van Krimpen. Exemplaria sunt emissa CXXV charta batava quorum hic est numerus XXXV') (Ref: Van Dijk 182) (Details: No. 35 of 125 copies printed. Secured in a cardboard slipcase covered with marbled paper. Bound by the well known bookbinder Louis Malcorps. Back with 4 raised bands, with the Greek title gilt in the second compartment, and the gilt year (1929) at the foot of the spine. Boards with a blind ruled border. Blind ruled turn-ins, showing at the 4 corners a floral vignet. Marbled endpapers. Fine printing. Dutch laid paper of excellent quality (Hollandsch Papier)) (Condition: The slipcase shows some wear. The leather back slightly faded, and showing some small and faint scratches) (Note: The superb typeface, the so-called 'Antigone', was designed by the famous Dutch typographer, book designer and type designer Jan van Krimpen, 1892-1958. This letter is in the Netherlands well known because it was used for an excellent school edition of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, which remained in use at all Dutch gymnasia from 1937 well into the eighties. Van Krimpen worked for the printing house Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé. He also worked with Monotype in England, and the Limited Editions Club of New York. Van Krimpen was a leading figure of international reputation in book printing during his lifetime. His work has been described as traditional and classical in style, focusing on simplicity and high quality of book printing. (Source Wikipedia) In 1922 Van Krimpen befriended the bibliophile A.A.M. Stols, 1900-1973, who was just had started a publishing firm. From 1923 to 1932 he designed for Stols printer's devices, bindings, and stamps, and after some time he also took care of the typography. Supported by Van Krimpen Stols produced some of the most beautiful typographical works. Over the years the 'Trajectum ad Mosam' press brought more than 550 titles which excelled in typography, on the market. § Stols' Halcyon Series was a bibliophile series published between 1927 and 1958 by A.A.M. Stols. He also issued a magazine under this name, devoted to the beautiful book and related subjects, which appeared from 1940-1944. 'Halcyon' is the Greek word for kingfisher) (Photographs on request)