[Bradley, Will- One of Scarcest Bradley, The Author's First Book] The Singing Mouse Stories

Narrow 8vo, measuring 7 x 3 3/4 inches. Emerson Hughís first book, with stunning cover design by Will Bradley. One of the most alluring and vividly interpretive cover designs by Will Bradley featuring a distinctively Nouveau and highly stylized gilt stamped design on both covers. Cover design features a profile of a woman with long flowing hair playing a harp, with stylized trees on long trunks highlighted in the negative space behind her, consisting of gilt blocking (with reverse stippling), and on the rear cover, a delightfully playful mouse hovers over several bars of musical notation. The front cover was used in the following year in ìBradley: His Book,î vol. 1, no. 2, June, 1896. There is also one tailpiece in the text (among many other line drawings) by Will Bradley, depicting a mouse sitting atop a harp playing with his hands. Interestingly, this appears to be one of the earliest impressions and bindings, when compared with other copies we have had, having stunning nearly flat green patterned buckram background, whereas as other copies weíve had have raised buckram, showing the cross-hatch stitching of the cloth. As well, weíve never seen such a bright gilt stamping, and the impressions of the printing and line drawings are more ìblack appearingî in impression, and fully intact. A fine copy of a scarce Bradley book with an evocative design. With inscription by ìAmy Hurd Sharr, from SHC, Aug 15-í96î.

Price: $1,750.00   Item #6550