Silversmithing, Dunstan Pruden — 1st Edition, Limited (500 copies)

£395.00

Silversmithing, Dunstan Pruden — 1st Edition, Limited (500 copies)

Name: Silversmithing, Dunstan Pruden — 1st Edition, Limited (500 copies)
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4204-SD-FR-VG-15
Price: 395.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£395.00

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Publication: Hassocks, Sussex, St Dominic's Press, 1933

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 36.

Condition Report: Fine. Bespoke full black leather binding remains remarkably taut and square, with the boards and spine exhibiting virtually no signs of shelf-wear, rubbing, or handling. The silver gilt tooling (featuring the distinctive St Dominic's Press monogram and cross alongside a crisp border rule) is exceptionally bright, retaining a sharp, clean contrast against the dark leather. Internally, the hinges are perfectly sound, and the decorative endpapers remain vibrant, completely unmarked, and secure. The text block is impressively clean; the pages present a crisp, bright appearance devoid of foxing, spotting, or handling marks, save for the faintest age-related toning expected of quality paper from this era. Overall, a beautifully preserved and highly attractive copy.

Catalogue Note: First Edition, limited to a print run of 500 copies. The volume is formally recognized under the bibliography reference Taylor & Sewell A227, placing it securely within the esteemed output of the St Dominic's Press during its vibrant operation in Ditchling.

The book has been finely custom-bound by Philip Brook of Surrey in full black leather. The upper board is elegantly stamped in silver with the publisher's insignia, which is tastefully mirrored in blind on the lower board. This bespoke enhancement showcases an exceptional level of craftsmanship that brilliantly complements the artisanal spirit of the text itself.

Due to the inherently small limitation and the high-quality binding elevating this specific iteration, the book is remarkably scarce on the open market. It stands as a prime collectible for enthusiasts of the Arts and Crafts movement and dedicated collectors of English private press histories.

A fascinating and exceptionally scarce instructional treatise by Dunstan Pruden, a prominent silversmith and key member of the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic. Featuring an illuminating introduction by the celebrated wood-engraver Philip Hagreen, this beautifully crafted volume offers invaluable insights into the traditional techniques, hand-tooling, and philosophies of small-workshop silversmithing—all firmly rooted in the Arts and Crafts tradition. It remains a remarkable artifact from one of the most important English private presses of the twentieth century, presenting a perfect acquisition for both practitioners of the craft and collectors of fine printing.

Book Condition: Fine

Book Authors: Dunstan Pruden; Philip Hagreen

Book Publisher: St. Dominic's Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Art & Architecture

Book edition: First Edition and Limited Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 37

Book Publication Year: 1933

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Leather

Illustrator: Uncredited

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Hassocks, Sussex, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.