One of Bawden's earliest commissions

Bawden, Edward (illus.) ~ Pottery Making At Poole : The Extremely Scarce First Issue

First UK Printing : Printed at The Curwen Press for Carter, Stabler & Adams, UK : 1924

The First UK printing printed at The Curwen Press for Carter, Stabler & Adams, UK in 1924 (nd). The First Issue with no attribution of the illustrator to Edward Bawden (subsequent second and third issues, have the attribution 'Designed by Edward Bawden' to the title page). The BOOK is in Very Good++ condition. An 8 page sewn booklet within decorated printed card covers. 10cm x 16cm. Light edge-wear with a little age related marking and toning to the card cover edges. Strikingly illustrated in colour throughout. 'Bawden's youthful exuberance and flair are beautifully displayed in this gem of a brochure, testimony of the faith placed in him by both the Curwen Press and its client the Poole based tile manufacturer Carter and Company. The blue and white pattern on the cover plays elegantly with the mermaid and fish that decorate Poole's coat of arms, a stylised version of which adorns the label on the front. On the back, meanwhile, a boozy relative of Popeye demonstrates the use of pots at Poole. Fore and aft, the typography reminds us of Bawden's fondness for the Victorian revival chapbooks produced by Joseph Crowhall, the text freely drawn yet tightly controlled. The map found inside the booklet, in the form of a tile mural, once adorned the wall outside the Carter and Co. showroom. It can still be seen today, in the foyer of the Poole museum' (Page 21 : 'Are you sitting comfortably' : Mainstone Press 2018). One of Bawden's earliest commissions, being only 21 years of age. Extremely scarce to find in any issue. With small print runs, it is presumed that the booklet was so successful that the second and third issues were printed fairly soon after the first issue was published. Subsequent issues only differ from the first issue with the presence of the attribution of the booklet design to Edward Bawden on the title page. A very collectible ephemeral item.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++