[Fine Binding | H. Jackel & Co.] Pericles & Aspasia

Landor, Walter Savage. Pericles & Aspasia. New York: Privately printed for the Scott-Thaw Co., 1903. Limited to 210 copies printed for the United States, of which 200 were for sale; this copy no. 51, signed by Scott-Thaw Co. Portrait frontispiece and title page designed by Alfred A. Longden. Printed at the Chiswick Press as part of the "Chiswick Library of Noble Authors". The text follows Landor’s final corrections as printed in the 1876 collected edition, with notes and indexes added for this edition.

Bound in full black morocco by H. Jackel & Co., New York (signed at the foot of the front doublure), covers with multiple gilt fillet borders. Five bands to spine with title and author to second and fourth compartments, remaining compartments ruled in gilt. The doublures of red morocco are especially striking, with a large central oval reserve framed within an architectural arrangement of black inlaid bands and intricate gilt scrollwork, flanked by four vertical panels of inlaid diaper patterns in red, green, yellow, and purple, giving a stained-glass effect. All enclosed within a wide black border richly tooled in gilt with repeating inlaid floral and foliate devices. Watered red silk endleaves, top edge gilt. Measures approx. 9" x 14".

Joints and hinges very neatly repaired with Japanese tissue. Some rubbing to edges, corners, and spine tips. A few minor spots to covers.

H. Jackel & Co. was a New York bindery, listed at 81 Fourth Avenue, advertising “Art Bookbinding” in 1904. It appears that little documented information on the firm survives, suggesting a relatively limited period of activity, though signed examples—such as the present—indicate work of a high standard.