The Four Seasons with Wood Engravings
New York: Hammer Creek Press, 1951. Original Wrappers. Near Fine binding. Item #9701
12mo. [12] pp., illus. Limited edition, number of copies unknown. As issued, sewn in brown paper wrappers with pictorial paper title label on the front wrapper, housed in early if not original mailer with title on the front. A very nice copy; clean throughout.
A fairly early work but in DePol's career as well as in the Hammer Creek Press's. A lovely book comprising 4 wood engravings, one for each season; an additional wood engraving on the title page and the front wrapper, as well as the pressmark being DePol's. DePol, who is known for his wood engravings, started his career experimenting in etching and lithography. It wasn't until the late 1940s that he began moving towards the medium by which he most known. That being the case, this is a charming and early example of his work. Early though they may be, these small vignettes are incredibly evocative. Indeed DePol is among the great illustrators of the 20th century. A beautiful book. The Depol Catalogue Raisonne hazards a guess that this was done in an edition of 15 copies. Clearly the size is somewhat larger as 17 institutions report ownership according to OCLC. This and most other Hammer Creek Press editions remain quite uncommon in commerce. Cohen 11; DePol, Catalogue Raisonne, p. 39.
Price: $650.00