A Partial Set of George Ratcliffe Woodward’s Private Printing.

£450 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

First and only editions of these charming opuscula, curiously reminiscent of the work of the Daniel Press a few years earlier. George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) was a successful Church of England clergyman and hymnwriter perhaps best known for his Christmas carol Ding, Dong! Merrily on High. Soon after forming the “Plainsong and Mediaeval Music Society” circa. 1889, he embarked upon a series of private printings focused on hymns, carols and songs. The first was printed in 1892 and entitled Carols for Christmas-tide , subsequently followed by nearly a dozen similarly themed volumes over the next (20) years. The period from 1922 until his death just (12) years later saw the lion’s share of his private publication with over two-dozen titles, the majority of which are represented here. Comprised largely of his own translations into English of Greek and Latin epigrams, odes and poetry, as follows: 1. Cupid Psyche From the Latin of Apuleius Done into English Verse in Nine Cantos . London: Imprinted at the Chiswick Press, 1912. 8vo, [8], 100 pp. Printed paper over boards. 2. The Babe of Bethlehem. London: Highgate Village, 1923. 8vo, 18, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Title page printed in red and black. Number 102 of 200 total copies. 3. Acta Sanctorum, Being XII Poems . London: A.R. Mowbray Co., 1924. 12mo, vii, [1], 52 pp. Thick-card stock wrappers, dustjacket. 4. Good Friday and Easter-Day Couplets . London: Highgate Village, 1924. 16mo, 11, [1] pp. Printed paper wrappers bearing

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