RARE – William Henry Bradley – Bradley: His Book – First Editions 1896/1897 – Included here are (Two) copies of Volume 1- Issue #1 along with issues 2-4, bound together in cloth. Tipped into Volume 1 is the scarce original four-page Prospectus, and a rare, original ink and gouache illustration by Will Bradley on board (9-1/2 x 4″) entitled; “This is beastly” SIGNED BY BRADLEY and loosely inserted into the front of Volume 1. Also included here is Volume #2, numbers 1-3, each separate in wrappers. November & December of 1896, and January of 1897. These issues were each printed on a larger format, (7 x 11 inches) using fine deckle edge paper and stitched with thread. Together this rare package includes 7 (of 8) issues published in Springfield, Mass by The Wayside Press. Vol. 2, Issue no. 4 (Feb. 1897) was never fully completed or released to the public. In February of 1897 Will Bradley suffered a nervous and physical breakdown from overwork. Only fragments of this volume exist. (Bambace A51).
Condition: 4to and 8vo, Volume one bound together in plain cloth with a bit of sunning to the spine, a small bump to the lower front corner and some toning and chipping to the end papers. Volume 2 includes the original delicate wrappers; moderate wear along spine, chipping to edges and some toning/foxing to covers and a few interior pages. The signed artwork has a bit of soiling and a small bump to the corner. The Prospectus is uncut, and shows some toning, creasing and wear at the corners.
