Blumenthal (Joseph), 1897-1990
London, Scolar Press / Dartmouth College Library, 1977
(28 cm), xvi, 250, (2) pp. including 72 full-page plates (some in colour). Publisher’s cloth, dust jacket. - After the author’s retirement from the highly-regarded Spiral Press, he became associated with Dartmouth College Library, where he organised in May 1977 an exhibition of 340 years of book production in the United States. This beautifully produced book (Blumenthal’s own design, with letterpress composition and printing by the Stinehour Press, and plates by Meriden Gravure), published in connection with that exhibition, is a succession of biographical notices of designers, printers, and publishers. Forty-two of the illustrations are taken from 20th century publications, and the heart of the book recounts the lives of printers born in the latter part of the 19th century (many known personally to author) who shaped Blumenthal’s own, conservative taste. ¶ Superior copy in new condition.