[Pear Tree Press | Printed on Vale Press Paper] Holy Poverty: The Message of St. Francis for To-Day

Hodgkin, L.V. Holy Poverty: The Message of St. Francis for To-day. Harting, Petersfield, Hampshire: Pear Tree Press, 1905. Limited edition of 150 copies, although not stated on the colophon (Ridler 11). Title page and colophon printed in green. Original printed wrapper with unbound and uncut pages printed on Unbleached Arnold handmade paper with the Vale Press watermark. Measures 5.5" x 8.5". Some light wear to edges, along with some slight browning. Some offsetting to front and rear blanks.

From Paul van Cappelleveen's blog on Charles Ricketts & Charles Shannon:

"The Vale Press was the first private press to dispose of its type by throwing the punches into the River Thames, an example that was followed a decade later by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, and ultimately by Esther Pissarro (crossing the Channel). The lead of the type itself was too valuable to throw away, the types were melted down. The paper stock was another matter to deal with; apparently Ricketts sold the paper to James Guthrie of the Pear Tree Press, who used it for a few books and announcements."