Weeds and Wild Flowers. Some irreverent words by Armida Maria-Theresa Colt and with wood-engravings by George Mackley.
London: The Two-Horse Press, 1965. Folio. Limited edition. #87 of 250 copies, signed by the artist and the author (as 'The Two Colts') on the colophon. Original quarter green buckram, gilt, over yellow Tatsumaki Japanese paper boards by Mansell of London. Designed and printed by Will Carter at the Rampant Lions Press, Cambridge. With matching portfolio of loose engravings. The text volume reproduces 11 engravings (3 full page) by Mackley. The portfolio contains an extra suite of the engravings printed on Japanese Hosho paper. Spines very slightly faded. Contents fine. Fine in fine slipcase. Item #6927
Buy this for George Mackley's wood engravings but gain the bonus of a witty and far-sighted text:
"A grand old lady in Connecticut, Ruth Stout, has not only talked about painless and carefree gardening, she has actually done something about it. Her garden looks a mess, but because of the layers of mulch which she is constantly pouring into it, requires no ploughing, no cultivating, no weeding and no fertilizing." "I do hope the Forestry Commission read this. I hear they are making alarming mistakes in Ashdown Forest, planting conifers rather than deciduous trees. The dense shade of the dark conifers kills wild flowers and bird life, thereby destroying the balance of Nature, as in 'Silent Spring'"
Price: £400.00