The Idyls of Theocritus; With Bion & Moschus. Translated by Andrew Lang. Illustrated by W. Russell Flint, Medici Society, 1922 limited edition in luxury custom binding
The Idyls of Theocritus, accompanied here by the bucolic poems of Bion and Moschus, represents one of the finest Riccardi Press productions of the early 20th century. Issued by the Medici Society in 1922, the text appears in Andrew Lang’s distinguished prose translation, richly illustrated with mounted colour plates after William Russell Flint. Theocritus, writing in 3rd-century BC Alexandria, is celebrated as the founder of pastoral poetry, his idyllic verse influencing later traditions from Virgil's Eclogues through to the English Renaissance. As with other Riccardi Press volumes, the edition was printed in limited numbers on hand-made paper, with a tiny additional vellum issue, and has long been admired for the combination of scholarly content, elegant typography, and fine illustration that characterises the Press at its best.
The Idyls of Theocritus; With Bion & Moschus. Rendered into English Prose by Andrew Lang. Illustrated after Drawings by W. Russell Flint. 2 volumes in one.
Published by the Medici Society Ltd/The Riccardi Press Books, London, Liverpool & Boston. 1922 limited edition in luxury custom binding. Limited to 500 numbered copies on hand-made Riccardi paper, plus 12 vellum copies. This copy numbered 284 of 500 (both sections of the book), but handsomely rebound in a bespoke fine binding: both volumes bound as one in full vellum, with morocco covered slipcase, and elaborately decorated in leather and gilt to inside covers at both front and rear.
A small number of paper-issue copies (from within the 1–500 sequence) are known in vellum or other fine bindings, supplied either by the Medici Society itself or commissioned by subscribers. The present volume is an attractive example of such a special binding, far more decorative than the standard quarter linen boards, although there is no binder's signature identification included.
The binding retains original title labels and spine labels as would have been present on the standard issue edition. These are bound-in with the text and are immaculate.
A fine copy of this beautiful book. Covers are in full vellum with gilt title to spine. The previous owner's handwritten note at the rear indicates that the book is "finely bound in full polished vellum, elaborate tooled dentelles with stars of hope & emblems of immortality, top edge gilt, silk sewn throughout , in slipcase".
The slipcase is covered with green morocco leather with marbled paper to the interior at head and tail. Light shelf wear.
The book is In beautiful condition - the inner covers feature an inlaid central brown leather panel with gilt decals, and onset matching panels to corners. Some offsetting to endpapers opposite.
Text and plates are clean and bright throughout. With gilt top edge and rough cut elsewhere. Occasional light scattered age spot, but overall and exceptional copy of this beautiful book.
Text in English.
xxxv + 92pp + (2) + xi + 28pp + (2). Includes colour Plates with printed tissue guards (15 Plates including frontispiece to 1st volume and 5 Plates including frontispiece to 2nd volume - all as called for). Also bound in are cover and spine labels for each of the two volumes. The previous owner's note is pasted down on a rear blank endpaper. There is also an additional loosely inserted typed note of 'Hesper', fragment 16 of Bion, not covered by the book.
Dimensions: approx 284mm high x 218mm wide x 51mm deep (in slipcase).
Weight: approximately 2057g (unpacked).