Celeste and Other Sketches : With an Additional Complete Suite of Wood Engravings on Japon Signed by John Nash de Hudson, Stephen & Nash, John (Illus.) - 1930

The sole edition published by The Blackmore Press, UK in 1930. Number '21' of 50 copies printed on Japanese vellum signed by both the author and artist to the limitation page, from a total edition limited to 700 copies. Six bound in full page wood-engraved plates by John Nash, with some original loose tissue guards present. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with the publisher s original green silk, upper cover blocked in gilt, top edge gilt., others uncut. Some tiny unobtrusive marks to the spine. With an additional suite of the 6 full page plates also on Japon, all signed in pencil by John Nash, loose as issued which are housed within a glassine guard within a green woven wrapper. All housed together in the publisher s original green board slip-case which has some light age related markings. There is no mention of the additional suite of plates on the limitation page (Greenwood 2906-2911 also not noting this special issue). It appears some (but not all ) of the 50 special copies on Japon were issued with the additional suite of plates, but of these suites of plates, not all were signed by John Nash. It may well be that less than 20 sets were signed as such. Only one set with a complete suite of signed plates has been recorded at auction. This copy is one of the much scarcer complete sets with the suite of plates all signed by John Nash. The six wood-engravings each accompany one of the following short stories: 'Celeste', 'Frau Karl Druschki', 'Southern Women', 'Sunrise In Conegliano', 'Sounds' and 'Transmutation'. Very collectible. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.