[Printed on Vellum | Bibliomaniac Edition] Sister Anne, Vol. II

de Kock, Charles Paul. Sister Anne, Vol. II. Boston, Paris, and London: Printed only for Subscribers by the Frederick J. Quinby Company, 1906. The infamous Bibliomaniac Edition, printed on French-folded vellum, of which 10 sets were printed; this volume is from set #5. (The edition itself was designed as a tour de force of book production, projected to be 100 volumes but apparently abandoned after 48 volumes.) Hand-illuminated manuscript title pages and hand-illuminated initials and tailpieces by Helen S. Patterson and Ellen G. Brown. Full red levant morocco by The Harcourt Bindery with color and gilt tulip onlay, broad gilt dentelles with tulip doublures, levant flyleaves monogrammed in gilt, silk-lined levant cases with gold fasteners.

Illustrated with an original etching by Sidney L. Smith as the frontispiece, thtee original pen and ink drawings by Elmer Boyd Smith, an original watercolor by William Glackens, an original watercolor by A.I. Keller, and a pen and ink drawing by G.A. Williams. Measures approx. 6.5" x 9.75". Faint spotting to some early leaves. 

"William J. Glackens is an artist whose oeuvre is so diverse, it defies labeling" (Area of Design). Glackens' early training began at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, along with Sloan, Shinn, Luks, and Robert Henri, all of whom in 1908 founded the group called "The Eight," later known as the Ashcan School. Glackens' illustrations, particularly those involving animated crowds of people, exhibit brilliant and expressive draftsmanship, as do a smaller series of etchings of urban subjects" (Gale Encyclopedia).

"The 'Bibliomaniac' edition, for such is the edition's odd name, consists of ten numbered and registered sets, the pages of which are to exhibit unequaled specimens of modern day illumining and present by hand painted reproductions the beautiful and sumptuous initial letters and decorative borders to be found in the ancient manuscripts and early printed books now in keeping of the national and private libraries of the world. The books will be lettered, illustrated and embellished exclusively by hand upon the finest of specially prepared genuine parchment, and by the foremost artists, rubricators and illuminators of this country and Europe. The printing will be from type and done on the old-fashioned hand press, and the color, gold, silver and bronze of the initial letters, head and tail pieces will be applied in accordance with the custom in vogue before the days of printing" (New England Stationer and Printer).