Buckland-Wright (John). Etching and
Engraving. Techniques and the modern trend.. [With a preface by John Piper.] First edition, 8vo, pp.240, The Studio Publications,
London, 1953.
Presentation
inscription to Nigel [Lambourne] – one of the dedicatees of the book – on the
front free endpaper. Illustrated with some 160 prints, reproduced by collotype
or offset. Grey cloth, titled in gilt on the spine and upper board. Lacking
dust-jacket. Boards somewhat soiled. A good copy of a seminal work.
With a good A.L.s, 2pp,
23rd October, 1953, from John Buckland-Wright, 10 Nevern Mansions,
S.W.5, loosely inserted: “My dear Nigel, I am really very touched by your
charming letter about the book ... I shall value it, as on you the book created
exactly the effect I was aiming at. Even Hayter was very complimentary, though
he ticks me off about three things: (a) that I did not refer to my own share in
the Atelier 17; (b) that I omitted one really important engraver – Villon -
& he’s quite right there; (c) that I was had for a sucker by Sam Kaner as
his process was being done in the Atelier 17 in 1938!! It may have been but I
don’t remember it and anyhow the invention of a method is nothing until someone
has done something with it; and Kaner, though not a very good artist in my
opinion, at least did something with it first”.
