[Roycroft/Philosopher Press Association Copy | Fine Binding] Love Letters of a Musician

Reed, Myrtle. Love Letters of a Musician. East Aurora, NY: The Roycroft Shop, 1898. Limited to 900 copies, of which this is #200. Ornamental initial by W.W. Denslow on the title page, with small black & white oak leaf initials throughout. Signed by Reed on the limitation page. Inscribed on the page preceding the title page by Reed to William H. Ellis, one of the proprietors of the Philosopher Press (1896-1904) in Wausau, WI.

Preceding the inscription is a tipped-in letter from Reed to Ellis, thanking him for his "kind words in praise" of the present volume. Reed also notes: "The whole thing, from cover to cover, was written in five days, and seemingly, because I couldn't help doing it, so sometimes I wonder if it is really mine."

Also tipped-in is a letter from Ellis to the collector Joseph Manuel Andreini discussing the sale of this volume to him, include a mention of endorsing the book as "sold to you by permission of Miss Reed or some such other endorsement as would explain your ownership of the book presented to me." (He also mentions potentially procuring a copy of The Hunting of the Snark--surely the Philosopher Press edition--at resale for Andreini for twenty five dollars.)

Bookplate of Joseph Manuel Andreini on the rear of the front free endpaper. Measures 5.25" x 8". Bound in full deep red crushed morocco by The Adams Bindery, with five bands to spine and title and author to second and third compartments in gilt. Gilt rolled turn-ins with light red mottled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Some light rubbing to edges and corners. Offsetting to endpapers, a few spots of foxing to pages.