{"product_id":"shakespeare-venus-and-adonis-rockwell-kent-1931-signed-limited-edition","title":"Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis — Rockwell Kent, 1931 — Signed Limited Edition","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSigned Rockwell Kent Limited Edition of Venus and Adonis\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eby William Shakespeare — Illustrated \u0026amp; Signed by Rockwell Kent • 1931 Leo Hart Fine Press Edition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdition \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRochester: The Printing House of Leo Hart, 1931. First and only edition. One of \u003cstrong\u003e1,250\u003c\/strong\u003e hand-numbered copies signed by celebrated American artist \u003cstrong\u003eRockwell Kent\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose distinctive modernist illustrations revitalised private-press book design in the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKent's refined linework is paired here with Shakespeare's earliest published poem, the sensuous and myth-laden \u003cem\u003eVenus and Adonis\u003c\/em\u003e — first printed in 1593 as the Bard's \u003cstrong\u003edebut in print\u003c\/strong\u003e. This fine press edition honours that origin with elegant typography by \u003cstrong\u003eWill Ransom\u003c\/strong\u003e, wide margins and deckle edges that show every deliberate impression of the type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivately printed under the personal direction of \u003cstrong\u003eLeo Hart\u003c\/strong\u003e, noted for his insistence on traditional craft at a moment when industrial printing was beginning to dominate. As Hart himself wrote, books should be made \"as if the future would judge us\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis copy is hand-numbered \u003cstrong\u003eNo. 586\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003esigned in ink by Rockwell Kent\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRockwell Kent \u0026amp; Artistic Significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRockwell Kent was one of America's most distinctive visual voices: explorer, illustrator and activist. His illustrated editions of Melville's \u003cem\u003eMoby-Dick\u003c\/em\u003e, Shakespeare and other classics are now touchstones of American book art. A signed private-press Shakespeare from Kent's hand is therefore a highly desirable book for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExamples of this edition are held in major institutional collections, including Harvard University and The Morgan Library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePhysical Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge quarto format (11 x 9 in) ; deckle-edged Hand \u0026amp; Arrows paper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal quarter brown cloth spine with gilt lettering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight cloth boards, clean and beautifully preserved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinding tight and square; no internal markings observed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal matching slipcase, structurally sound with mild age-toning and some tear and wear on edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinted from the Oxford University Press text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior very clean and bright with fresh impressions of type and illustration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery light age-toning to edges only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlipcase with gentle rubbing and cosmetic wear, no splits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease study the photographs for a full sense of condition. Further images available on request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector Importance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standout example of American fine-press craft, uniting Shakespeare's first printed work with Rockwell Kent's elegant modernism in a signed, limited edition. An excellent choice for collectors of Shakespeare, Kent, or the golden age of American bookmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book will be carefully packed in a protective box.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atelier Zweig Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47052453347516,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/1285\/3436\/files\/s-l1600_05a181d9-a3da-42ad-8a41-1902fc54794a.jpg?v=1783111634","url":"https:\/\/atelierzweig.com\/products\/shakespeare-venus-and-adonis-rockwell-kent-1931-signed-limited-edition","provider":"Atelier Zweig Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}