Sonnets. by SHAKESPEARE, William - 1899: Reprinted from the edition of 1609.

London: Hacon & Ricketts,, 1899. An attractive example of turn-of-the-century printing and bookbinding First Vale Press edition, one of 210 copies, of which 200 were for sale, presented here in a fine contemporary signed binding by Douglas Cockerell. This copy brings together two important figures in the arts and crafts movement: Charles Ricketts, who founded the Vale Press in 1896, and Cockerell, who opened his bindery the following year. The two men shared similar influences: Ricketts's Vale Press was heavily indebted to the Kelmscott Press, while Cockerell worked for four years as an apprentice to T. J. Cobden-Sanderson next door, at the Doves Bindery. Cockerell's art nouveau style is entirely appropriate to Vale Press books, and the present binding is a handsome example of his work. Quarto (211 x 142 mm). Finely bound in 1900 in full brown morocco by Douglas Cockerell (signed by him on the rear turn-in), spine with five raised bands, second compartment lettered in gilt, compartments, covers, and turn-ins ruled and dotted in gilt, light blue endpapers, gilt edges. Woodcut borders and decorations by Charles Ricketts. Binding rubbed, a few small marks to front cover, outer leaves browned from turn-ins, contents clean and crisp. A very good copy. Franklin, p. 254, Ransom, Vale 27.