The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Coleridge - Presented by Willy Pogany - 1910

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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Coleridge - Presented by Willy Pogany - 1910:
$87.12

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner In Seven Parts By Samuel Taylor Coleridge Presented by Willy Pogany. Published by George G Harrap & Co., London in 1910. Letterpress and Line Illustrations Printed by Vincent Brooks, Day and Son, Ltd., and the Four-Colour Plates by Bemrose Dalziel, Ltd. at London in the Year of Our Lord MCMX. A quite large format art book. 186 pages rebound in red cloth covered boards with the front board having the presumed original red suede leather binding affixed to it. This has the title details etc. stamped in gold coloured lettering together with stylized representations of a ship and a dolphin. The cloth spine also has the title details stamped in gold coloured lettering. Top edges of the pages gilt. Decorative endpapers in shades of brown with title lettering, and ship, albatross and sea creature motifs. Full colour title page preceded by two pages of script and text with added colour. 20 tipped in colour plates. 16 further full page illustrations in two colours printed on white (black plus one other shade), plus about 50 further illustrations in black and white or two colours, these being of various sizes. Together with further elaborate embellishment, ornate surrounds to the verses, decorated initial letters etc., etc. Other than the date of publication 1910 on the last page, it is difficult to know what edition of the book this is. However, I have received a very helpful message from a collector in America who tells me that theoriginal binding material wascalled velvet calf or suede and that typicallysuch editions of Willy Poganybooks pre-date1914.

It is evident that the book has become partly or completely disbound at some point before starting life again as a rebound book on which considerable labour and expense has been employed. The book sections, possibly groups of pages as appropriate, have been remounted on paper stubs (visible internally next to the spine) before being bound between the new, or recovered, boards. The end papers, which are either the originals or custom made copies, have been laid down on new paper. So far as I can judge, the complete text of the book has been saved. The rebinding has evidently made use of as much of the original book as was practicable. Minor bumping to the corners and to the head and tail of the spine. Further minor wear and rubbing to the surfaces of the boards. Some jagged edges to the old leather binding attached. Some further age related rubbing and discolouration to the leather. Trace of old bookseller’s writing in pencil inside the front cover. Previous owner’s book plate pasted to the reverse of the front free endpaper. Small label inside the back cover giving the name of the book binder / restorer. Straight tan coloured lines adjacent to the spine on quite a few of the pages (please see the photograph). Difficult to know if this is as per publication or acquired during the rebinding process as it is not consistent throughout the book - I suspect it is the latter. Some rippling to the pages extending outwards from the spine (also visible in the photograph). Minor discolouration to the page edges. Some very minor foxing and discolouration to the inside of the book; contents appear generally good and clean for age. When the book is opened wide, some creaking can be heard; binding is probably quite tight. A few other signs that the book has been read. Other lesser faults and wear. A very beautiful book which someone cared for greatly to have rebound. Book is in overall good condition in its new state.