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ECCLESIASTES.

The Gentle Cynic: Being a Translation of the Book of Koheleth Known as Ecclesiastes. [Translated] By Morris Jastrow Jr.

Place and Imprint: (San Francisco: The Book Club of California, 1927).
Edition: First edition, one of 250 numbered copies, this one out of series.
Bibliographical References: Magee, Grabhorn Press Bibliography, 91, which does not describe this binding.
Condition: Edges of the binding slightly rubbed and edges of the untrimmed leaves just a bit browned; very good copy.
Book ID: 29144

Physical Description

8vo, contemporary dark blue limp morocco, gilt lettering, untrimmed. Illustration and initial letters in red, blue and gold by Valenti Angelo. Introduction by Oscar Lewis.

Comments

A translation of the Book of Ecclesiastes - the Book of Kohelet - by Orientalist Morris Jastrow, first published in 1919 and here handsomely reprinted by the Grabhorn Press for the Book Club of California, with decorative devices by illustrator Valenti Angelo, and an informative introduction by Oscar Lewis. This copy, out of series and not in the regular-issue vellum binding, is inscribed on the front free endpaper "To Peggy / from her friend and / well wisher / Albert Bender / 1932." This was probably specially bound for Bender by the Grabhorns, using extra sheets that remained from the original issue. And the recipient was probably Peggy Lilienthal. Albert Bender (1866-1836) was the extraordinary San Francisco cultural philanthropist and a member of the circle that included the Grabhorns, the Lilienthals, the Book Club of California, etc. At the time The Gentle Cynic was published by the Book Club in 1927, Bender was chair of the Club's publications committee.

Price: $200.00