Men and Women

(London): Doves Press, 1908. Johnston, Edward. Two large octavo volumes. 192; 200pp. One of 250 copies. Printed in red and black by T. J. Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker. This collection of Browning's poems explores the many aspects of love between men and women. The colophon is beautifully inscribed in red: "Flourished by Edward Johnston. May 1908/November 1908." The table of contents shows calligraphic flourishes in blue, green, and red by the master calligrapher, while larger flourishes decorate headings throughout the book. These conform to the copy described in Tidcombe's bibliography. The set shows the Doves Press at its most ornate, the severe typography softened to the subject by Johnston's lovely decorations. This title is also notable for being the last book from the Doves Press bearing Emery Walker's name on the colophon.

In beautiful Doves-style bindings of gilt-decorated dark blue morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. The bindings feature a central gilt arabesque with small red and green onlays framed within a wide gilt ornamental rule, pointillé borders and strapwork corners. Title in gilt on upper covers and spine, which is in six compartments and carries the rules and strapwork from the upper covers. Doublures of brown morocco, gilt-decorated and framed by wide turn-ins which also echo the tooling from the covers. Red silk endleaves. A.e.g. According to the stamp-signing on the front turn-ins, these bindings were executed for the Torch Press, making them roughly contemporary with publication. Trace rubbing to spine ends and along outer hinges, else fine. Housed in a cloth folding case. (Tidcombe DP15).