Books

Newtown: Gregynog Press, 1931. Hughes-Stanton, Blair. Octavo. (10), 25, (3)pp. From an edition of 250 copies, this is one of twenty-five printed on Japanese vellum and bound after a design by Blair Hughes-Stanton himself. It marks Hughes-Stanton's first contribution to the Press' run of special bindings, and the advent of a shift in the style of those bindings toward modernity, embracing restraint while highlighting line and form. Hughes-Stanton likewise supplied as wood engravings the frontispiece, title vignette, and illustrations of all six costumed characters. This is the first book of the Press arranged by William McCance, though set and printed by Idris Jones. Its artistic and critical success helped turn the Press' fortunes and added to its growing reputation as a pinnacle of not only Welsh bookmaking, but of Western printing as a whole. Hughes-Stanton's binding is of full dun-colored levant morocco, with covers bearing vertical panels of blind lines, bordered by gilt frames.…

Comus: A Mask, also known as simply Comus, is a masque written by John Milton in 1634. It was first presented on Michaelmas night, September 29, 1634, before John Egerton, the Earl of Bridgewater, at Ludlow Castle in celebration of his inauguration as Lord President of Wales. Known for its themes of chastity and virtue, the narrative of Comus follows the Lady who is lost in the woods and tempted by the enchanter Comus. Her virtue and steadfastness against seduction are celebrated in the masque.