Priscilla Juvelis Inc. Archives

Pseudodoxia Epidemica: Of Unicornes Hornes. Illustrated by Alan James Robinson. Introduction by Jan van Dorsten

First Edition, Artist Proof issue, one of 5 copies only, all on obsolete Whatman paper (blue-white laid ca. 1962), from a total issue of 225, all signed by the artist, as follows: 5 AP copies (this copy) in an elegant full limp vellum non-adhesive binding, title in gilt on spine, frontispiece etching in 2 states, an extra suite (14), each signed and numbered, and two extra suites of working proofs (28), each signed and labeled "wp," and an original drawing, a unicorn within an oval border signed in full by Alan J. Robinson, housed in 1/4 vellum folder with Narwhal "horn" tooled in gold gilt on spine, housed in tan cloth over boards with vellum spine stamped with title in gold gilt; 15 State Proof copies, bound in full vellum non-adhesive limp binding with an original drawing and an extra suite of prints plus a suite of working proofs of the prints and state proofs of the etching; 60 deluxe copies in vellum binding and an extra suite; 150 regular copies on T.H. Saunders Laid. Page size: 9 1/2 x 7 inches. Bound by Gray Parrot with his binder's ticket at lower rear turn-in: full limp vellum, matching quarter vellum sleeve for extra suites all housed in vellum and linen clamshell box, box slightly worn with 2 or 3 minor bumps, book fine. Illustrated with 15 woodengravings and one etching by Robinson, the text is set and cast in Van Dyck Monotype by Winifred and Michael Bixler and printed by Harold Patrick McGrath in black and blue at Hampshire Typothetae. Jan van Dorsten, Professor of English Literature at the University of Leiden, Nethrlands and Head of the Sir Thomas Browne Institute there, has written an introduction on Browne's life, work and thought especially for this volume, which is Chapter XXIII of PSEUDODOXIA EPIDEMICA . In all, this is a lovely book, full of fantasy and romance, beautifully produced and executed by one of the finest naturalists working today.