Oak Knoll

First edition, limited to 370 numbered copies and signed by Dard Hunter and the designer, Elmer Adler. With an additional silver gelatin photograph of Hunter and two other figures tapped to the first blank. Minor rubbing to spine, minor offsetting to endleaves; slipcase worn, sunned, soiled, with a few joints split. Fine.

This landmark book on hand papermaking in these countries was printed on Japanese mulberry-bark handmade paper and contains 68 photogravure illustrations taken by Hunter on his trip. (See Hunter's My Life with Paper, pp.127-129 for further details of the trip). The book describes the trip and the processes of hand papermaking that Hunter discovered during his journey. The specimens show a wide variety of paper from these three countries and tie in nicely with the descriptions of hundreds of different kinds of paper that he had found, as well as the locations where they were produced.

IN ADDITION, A SMALL SILVER GELATIN PHOTO OF HUNTER, "THE GREAT NICOLA" AND A BOY ASSISTANT IS AFFIXED TO THE FIRST BLANK. The photo is approximately 5 x 3.75 cm (trimmed a bit unevenly at margins). "The Great Nicola" (stage name of William Mozart MacNicol, 18801946) was an internationally famous magician and escape artist. There is a magic festival held in his honor every year in his native Monmouth, IL.