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Book News Fine Press First Editions T. E. Lawrence

Never be a Bookseller

The bookseller, publisher and writer, David Garnett (1892-1981), was the son of the eminent literary reader Edward Garnett and his wife Constance, herself an renowned translator of Russian novels. David had been joint owner of the bookshop at 19 Taviton Street, London, Birrell & Garnett since 1919, the other significant related event was his becoming a director of the Nonesuch Press when it was founded in the basement of the bookshop in 1923.

He was indeed himself a prolific writer, perhaps best known for his metamorphic fantasy, award winning novel, Lady into Fox (1922), the tale of a man whose wife is suddenly transformed into a fox. It was published to great acclaim, winning the Hawthornden Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. This was not however his first novel, the elusive Dope Darling  published in 1919 might be described as an “early” work (if anyone out there has a copy, I would love to see it or even purchase it)

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In the more serious vein of writing, his third and follow up novel, A Man in the Zoo (1924), concerned a man who is accepted by the London Zoo to be exhibited as an example of Homo sapiens. His later novels were perhaps not so successful, although each an excellent read. In particular I would point out The Grasshoppers Come (1930) a novel of flight. Of which T E Lawrence, to whom the author had presented a copy, wrote of it to Garnett;

The book pleased me quite beyond what I had thought possible. It is the first account of real flying by a real writer who can really fly: and it gave me a very great sense of long distance,  and of that incommunicable cradle-dandling which is a cockpit in flight.

This novel was influenced by David’s learning to fly an aeroplane and later writing his reflections on this experience, Rabbit in the Air (1931), itself a splendid and evocative read of a time gone by. The title reflecting his nickname Bunny, used by his friends, said to have carried over from childhood when he had a rabbit-skin cap.

In the three volumes of memoirs, The Golden Echo (1953), The Flowers of the Forest (1955) and The Familiar Faces (1962) he recalls his time close to the Bloomsbury Group, was a lover of Duncan Grant, married Rachel (Ray) Marshall and after her death Angelica the daughter of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell.

One of David’s most enduring works (see one of our earlier blogs) was The Letters of T.E. Lawrence (1938) that remains a highly significant contribution of our understanding of TE and is a fine example of David’s editing skills.

He was therefore eminently qualified to write a note on bookselling and the book-trade when requested to do so by the American publisher Alfred A. Knopf. It is possible that Garnett never intended this to be published as a separate booklet, but Knopf, thought it,  so graceful and sincere a tribute to the entire book-trade and more especially to the bookseller, that he published anyway. The original edition published in 1929 in an edition of just 2000 copies, in attractive variant bindings, to be given “hors commerce” and to Garnett’s friends. A whimsical piece of reflection of the pain and pleasure of being involved in the book-trade a snippet provides a flavour of the whole; The bookseller is the kindest-hearted man alive and extraordinarily long-suffering. He works hard for small returns, he usually spends half his time in giving free advice to everyone in his town, he does all the hard work of the book trade. A handsome edition was much later published at The Fleece Press in 1985 with an Introduction by David’s son Richard, himself being a publisher and including a wood-engraving of a bookshop interior by Howard Phipps.

To gain an insight into the thinking and reading of the extended Garnett family one can do little better than study the endlessly fascinating catalogue of David’s library as it was following his death in 1981 and shortly before its lamentable dispersal. It has been described as a tour of most of the high spots of British literature between 1900 and 1950 and it most certainly was. The printed catalogue compiled by the late Michael Hosking of The Golden Hind Bookshop is a veritable treasure trove and a source of inestimable study and envy.

  • Bookplate one
  • Bookplate two
Bookplate three

These books all tell of an intriguing and complex life, of an age now gone by and of an immeasurably fascinating range of personalities.

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Antiquarian Book News T. E. Lawrence

David Garnett’s ‘The Letters of T.E. Lawrence’

Should you wish to understand the enigmatic and multi-faceted character that made up T.E. Lawrence (or T.E. Shaw, as he became known after 1923), you can hardly do better than read the many letters that he wrote.

There are a vast number of these. TE was a prolific letter writer, he found them a means of expression and of communication with friends and acquaintances whom he might not be able or even wish to meet. I feel sure many wait, yet to be discovered in hidden places, tucked inside books or in old desk drawers. Indeed there are recent examples of letters hiding in both of these locations.

Many of his letters have been published and in more recent years Castle Hill Press (under the expert guidance of the late Jeremy Wilson) has produced scholarly and handsome editions, focusing on the letters to certain correspondents and key themes of his life.

However to obtain a rounded and intimate picture of TE one can do little better than exploring the 583 published in David Garnett’s selection The Letters of T.E. Lawrence first published in 1938. These letters give a fully rounded overview of the whole of TE’s life, treating it in a chronological manner that enables a biographical picture to be formed.

A copy signed by the Editor & Publisher

This collection was of course made available some three years after TE’s untimely death on his Brough Superior motorcycle in 1935. The volume was published by Jonathan Cape, who had of course been instrumental in publishing Revolt in the Desert (1927) and Seven Pillars of Wisdom” (1935). As might be expected from Cape at this period, it was a handsome volume, well produced and with the striking typographical dust-wrapper. It was originally to be edited by E.M Forster, but he planned to divide the book into sections of TE’s life dealing with the different interests, his brother A.W. Lawrence did not quite approve of this methodology and David Garnett, scientist, bookseller, publisher and writer took over treating the letters chronologically, making a splendid job of the project. David was eminently suited to the role, being the son of literary reader, Edward Garnett who was a friend and literary mentor of TE.  David had himself become a friend of TE and an early reader of his legendary literary projects Seven Pillars and The Mint and himself the author of well received novels.

E.M. Forster letter to Sir Sydney Cockerell: ‘I am editing a selection of his letters for the Trustees‘.

The volume is not without its typographical errors, two notable ones corrected in later editions, “Baltic” on page 182, corrected to ‘Balkan” and the letter signed “T.E.L” later corrected to ‘T.E.S” on page 495 have become “issue points” for dealers and collectors. In a letter to TE collector Bradfer-Lawrence, David Garnett lamented a number of others.

David Garnett: ‘The number of mis-prints is frightful – in spite of several proof readings’.

The Garnett volume of Letters  has  been hugely influential on students and biographers of TE’s life being at once scholarly and entertaining. This influence extends to all those who have taken an interest and fostered the scholarly research into the man and his significance, be it the desert campaign of WW1 or his important and still underrated work on the RAF boats in the post WW1 period.

This can be illustrated by a volume of the Letters signed by Henry St John Armitage (1924-2004), and dated “Bradford May 1939″. This being the copy from the library of Arabist, TE scholar and diplomat, St John Armitage and indicates his early interest in TE. He was 15 when he signed and dated this volume, but went on in his long life to have a distinguished career, retain his interest and influence in TE circles and speak at a T.E. Lawrence Society Symposium towards the end of his life.

The Letters volume was also passed on by TE’s friends. An example here from his friend, Lt Col. Stewart Francis Newcombe (1878–1956) with whom he first met whilst surveying the Sinai Peninsula in 1914 and retained a life- long friendship, this copy being owned much later by TE scholar and biographer Jeremy Wilson.

No doubt this important volume in the T.E. Lawrence canon will continue to be acknowledged in bibliographies and inspire a host of fresh students.

  • David Garnett 1979
  • David Garnett’s bookplate
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Antiquarian Book News

Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare and Company blots her escutcheon!

A Unique Volume

Here is a book with a fascinating history and provenance. An exciting association copy, signed by three of the, then, surviving original authors of essays contained within the volume, these being, Samuel Beckett, Marcel Brion and Frank Budgen.

In addition this particular edition contains a new Introduction by the original publisher and owner of Shakespeare and Company SYLVIA BEACH and this unique volume is also finely SIGNED by her at the head of the chapter, a clear signature with a couple of small ink blots below.

An important collection of essays on James Joyce (the title having been taken from Finnegans Wake). Originally published by Shakespeare and Company in 1929, they sold sheets to Faber & Faber, who then inserted their own title-page. This 1961 UK printing by Faber includes the new Sylvia Beach “Introduction”. The book consists of 12 studies of the published instalments of the experimental ‘Work in Progress’ which was to become (then as yet unpublished) ‘Finnegans Wake’. Those writers were Samuel Beckett [his first appearance in print], Marcel Brion, Frank Budgen, Stuart Gilbert, Eugene Jolas, Victor Llona, Robert McAlmon, Thomas McGreevy, Elliot Paul, John Rodker, Robert Sage, and William Carlos Williams.

This particular copy has a good provenance from the library of linguist David Enderton Johnson and with his typographic bookplate to front pastedown concealed by d/w flap. Johnson is best known for his work on relational grammar, especially the development with Paul Postal in 1977 of arc pair grammar. Altogether an enthralling association copy with elusive signatures, bringing together significant figures of 20th century literature.

Samuel Barclay Beckett 1906 –1989) the Irish novelist, Marcel Brion 1895 -1984 was the French essayist, Frank Spencer Curtis Budgen 1882 –1971 English painter and writer and of course Sylvia Beach 1887 –1962), best known for her Paris bookstore, where she published James Joyce’s controversial book, Ulysses in 1922, and encouraged a legion of literary figures of the 20th century. She told her own story in “Shakespeare and Company” first published in 1959.

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Book News

Tilly the ex-bookshop, now internet bookselling Collie!

Tilly paying attention!

Since her adoption from the Spot Collie Rescue Centre, Tilly really enjoyed and documented her time in the bookshop.

Initially customer relations, but soon finding her role more in the security and inspection field, she sat for 8 years in the bookshop, watching the world go by. She also ran a successful Young Readers Club.

Following the transfer of the bookshop to @darling-reads she now works from home.

Certainly she misses the company and the craic, only being enlivened by the visiting delivery people and sometimes feels a bit mopey. Despite the current “lockdown” she enjoys her walks and her dinners! So her bookselling career continues albeit in a different form and she and we look forward to hearing from you.

Relaxing at home
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Book News Fine Press First Editions

A notable and ‘scarlet’ book of the 20th Century

Ulysses by James Joyce
from Shakespeare and Company, Paris

Here is a volume with a further famous publishing history. Originally published in a fragile paperback binding with the Greek flag blue cover, it is now hard to find in good condition. Following an unsuccesful serialisation in the Little Review, Ulysses was published (in English) by Shakespeare and Company, the independent bookstore in Paris which had been established in 1919 by the American expatriate Sylvia Beach — and which became the gathering-place for such literary greats as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein and of course James Joyce. A printer was found in Maurice Darantière of Dijon.

Indeed, the story of how Shakespeare and Company came to be the publisher of this work is shrouded in varying accounts and is not as clear as may first appear. Sylvia Beach’s own account can be found in her biographical volume “Shakespeare and Company” first appearing in 1959, this account has been amended in more recent times by Edward L. Bishop.

The publication process was not nearly as straightforward as had been anticipated, due in part to Joyce’s continual rewriting of the text and its complexity. The publication date was continually moved back and eventually it was first published in 1922 in a number of variant editions.

It was the 1926 edition, (it being the 8th printing overall, in effect the true second edition) that was the first printing of Ulysses to have the type entirely reset, to correct the legion of typographic errors in the hurried first printing that had carried through all the previous printings, thus basically making the 8th printing the 2nd Shakespeare and Company edition. The work was accomplished with Joyce’s participation, and became one of the key Shakespeare and Company printings, now early and desirable. All this making for a bibliographically interesting volume.

We feature two copies of the 1926 printing, one in the original blue paper wrappers and the other finely rebound in full scarlet leather with black title and two raised bands to spine, by J. Walters, in matched slipcase, the binding is most attractive. a striking binding to match the content.

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Book News West Yorkshire Local History

Peter Brears: A Local & National Treasure


Peter Brears has been director of both York and Leeds’ City Museums, has acted as consultant to the National Trust, English Heritage, the Historic Royal Palaces, the winner of numerous prizes including the André Simon award for his book, Cooking and Dining in Medieval England, the standard text on the subject.

He has written extensively on traditional foods and cookery in Yorkshire, as well as a ground breaking illustrated catalogue of domestic and farmhouse materials in Torquay Museum. He supervised the reconstruction of several important historical kitchens, including those at Hampton Court, Ham House, Cowdray Castle and Belvoir Castle.

Peter is a long standing member of Wakefield Historical Society and a former member of its Council. In addition he has written and illustrated Wakefield Historical Publications’ most recent book. The Buildings of Tudor and Stuart Wakefield. This is of far more than just local interest, it indicates the significance of provincial towns in general and of the development of Wakefield in particular. It is splendidly illustrated with Peter’s own drawings of the buildings many of which he recorded prior to demolition in the 1960s and 70s. This is probably the most significant book relating to Wakefield history since J.W. Walker’s Wakefield History and Its People in the 1930s. It is an essential read for all local historians and those interested in vernacular architecture. This is available for immediate delivery at just £19 + £3 postage.

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Antiquarian Book News T. E. Lawrence

Association copies

Sometimes the book can mean so much more than just the physical object. It can have an association with a person or persons that lifts it above the ordinary edition.

We are always on the lookout for such items. Perhaps in our world of T.E. Lawrence the object all sublime might be a book from the Clouds Hill library, perhaps but not always bearing the “Clouds Hill” bookplate. They turn up from time to time. At present we have two such in our stock.

Clouds Hill library bookplate

However occasionally a volume turns up that is unusual and exciting in its own right, one such is a copy of  Suleiman Mousa’s, 1966 “T E Lawrence, An Arab View” being a copy from the library of Arabist, diplomat and TE Lawrence scholar St John Armitage, He had a fine library and was learned, especially on TE Lawrence and St John Philby. He was always helpful in the organisation of exhibitions and conferences. Laid in is a postcard from Mousa as well as other related material. In itself the book is not uncommon, but with the associated item a fascinating “association” copy.

Away from the field of TE, another fascinating item is “Lyric Poetry of Glees, Madrigals, Etc Being a Supplement to the Collection of Clark and Leete and Bellamy”. Published privately in 1911 for the Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Catch Club. This copy is beautifully bound in full black leather being the copy of Sir Edgar Speyer with his name in glorious gilt to the front cover. Speyer, elected to the club in 1903 was a supporter of the musical arts and a friend of several leading composers, including Edward Elgar, Richard Strauss and Claude Debussy. He was chairman of the Classical Music Society for ten years, and he largely funded the Promenade Concerts between 1902 and 1914. His non-musical charitable activities included being honorary treasurer of the fund for Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition. For his philanthropy he was made a baronet in 1906 and a Privy Counsellor in 1909. Speyer is listed in the current membership in this volume. The Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Catch Club was founded in 1761 and became influential in the promotion of music with very many important members whom are listed in this volume. So a further  attractive and significant association copy.

We hope to feature other such treasurers from our inventory in the future.

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Antiquarian Book News Fine Press

A Private Press book?

We are often asked what is the definition of a private press book? Well, this is not as easy a question to answer as you may think. The definition of private press printing is, in essence, a press run outside the normal rules of printing  and publishing. It has the influence of one person, or at most a small team brought to bear on its productions with the intent to produce books of excellent, perhaps unique quality, without too much economic pressure. The ability to add real value without too much extra overhead cost.

The modern private press movement as we know it today, might well be said to have come to fruition with William Morris and his Kelmscott Press. The movement flourished after the First World War with presses such as Doves, Essex House, Ashendene and the Golden Cockerel Press. The commercial pressures on a private press were and are difficult. By their very nature, the books produced by such presses are relatively expensive and tend to appeal to specialist collectors. By definition they tend to suffer during harsh economic times. Certainly the late 1920s and 1930s were hard times for these presses and they suffered, as T.E. Lawrence stated “a bad season for rich books”. Some owned by more wealthy owners could circumnavigate the difficulties and one such, producing lavish and tiny editions was Viscount Carlow at his Corvinus Press. 

The tradition carries on in the modern age with John Randle and his Whittington Press, John having a wide influence on presses operating today. These include The Fleece Press, The Reading Room Press and a substantial number of others. Some presses focus on academic texts. some mix lavish production with texts. A notable recent press has been Castle Hill Press, bridging the two worlds of academia and fine production with its scholarly T.E. Lawrence texts. 

A further aspect of the private press movement is the production of a prospectus advertising an individual volume or a group of volumes, most presses produce these and they have become highly collectable in their own right, sometimes more difficult to trace than the books themselves. You will find private press material flourishing within our inventory so happy foraging!

So, as the Golden Cockerel Press declared “Spring, Sunshine and a Chanticleer from the Golden Cockerel Press”.

Golden Cockerel Prospectus from 1935
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Book News Rickaro Books

Home Delivery

Whilst Rickaro Books is transferring ownership of the retail shop, we are continuing to provide a full postal or personal delivery service.

Rickaro Books lives on, continuing to trade online providing a service for all our customers. We are happy to order any title that you might like to read and while away the hours. There is nothing like a good substantial read to occupy and enliven the mind. Remember reading gives the imagination wings. Just contact us on rickarobooks@gmail.com or by telephone on 07831218624. We look forward to keeping in contact with all our customers in these testing times.

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T. E. Lawrence

Little Book, Big History

A little book with an intriguing connection to Lawrence of Arabia: Richard Knowles tells the story.

The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World to That Which is to Come. Delivered Under the Similitude of a Dream. Wherin is Discovered the Manner of His Setting Out; His Dangerous Journey and Safe Arrival at the Desired Country. Essex House Press, 1899.

This is without doubt T.E. Lawrence’s own copy, number 407 of an edition of 750 copies. It is recorded in “T.E. Lawrence by His Friends” that this numbered copy was in the Clouds Hill Library of T.E. Lawrence. In “Friends, Vyvyan Richards records that; “He had a very good collection of the best hand-press books, from Kelmscott to Ashendene, and also a number of finely tooled bindings in which he rejoiced. In fact in order to decide on the type to be used in printing his own book, (Seven Pilliars, 1926) we gathered these hand-printed books in his room at All Souls College, and strewed them open over tables and chairs so that we could walk round and compare them. We chose independently and without discussion, and it was a satisfaction that we both wanted the same – the beautiful little Bunyan of C.R. Ashbee, a Caslon fount. This face has preserved its tradition so well that I do not think it was necessary to have special dies cut for the matrix of the monotype caster”. Here is that very volume! This is the third book from the Essex House Press while it was printing in East London. The Press had been founded by Laurence Hodson and C.R. Ashbee “in the hope to keep living the traditions of good printing that William Morris had revived”. They used two compositers and a pressman straight from Kelmscott. So here is a thrilling little book with a wonderful provenance.