Oak Knoll

First edition, limited to 177 copies. (Mejer 643; Appleton p.77; Brenni no.1216). Bookplate of Francis Richmond Allen on front pastedown. A near fine copy with near fine dust jacket, housed in a very good slipcase. Printed by the Gilliss Press. One of the most important books written on the subject of American binding. Contains 30 plates of bindings including some in color. Andrews, in his introduction, calls attention to the two methods used to reproduce color in the plates; three color illustrations were printed from relief plates; the other color plates were produced by applying the color directly to the plate. The half-tone reproductions were made directly from the books themselves, a method which Andrews' notes is the first successful attempt to apply this method in a book. Includes designs and engravings by Sidney L. Smith. From the reference library of Philadelphia Rare Books & Manuscripts with their bookplate included.