Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - November - 2006 Issue
Color Printing, Wood Engraving, and John DePol's Library From The Veatchs
Color printing, wood engraving, the DePol library, etc., from the Veatchs.
By Michael Stillman
Recently received from The Veatchs Arts Of The Book is their 56th catalogue, Recent Acquisitions including Color Printing, Wood Engraving and Books from John DePol's Library. Naturally, their catalogues feature works noted for their connection to the book arts - printing, color, papermaking, illustration, bookplates and bookbinding. Many of the titles come from private specialty presses. These are noted for their limited editions of uniquely beautiful and well-made books. For those who appreciate books as works of art as well as literature or information, the Veatchs almost certainly have something for you.
First, a note about John DePol. DePol was America's preeminent wood engraver of the 20th century. His illustrations graced countless works over a long career. During the last couple of decades of his life, DePol particularly focused on providing illustrations for the works of fine private presses. He died in 2004 at the age of 91, and his papers now reside with the special collections at the University of Delaware. However, he kept copies of many of the works for which he provided illustrations in his personal library, and several of these are available in the Veatchs latest catalogue. Now, here are a few of the works being offered.
Item 71 is a copy of John DePol's Ireland remembered. A GI's recollections. DePol served in Ireland during the Second World War, and used his free time to polish up on his drawing skills. It would serve him well through the sixty years which followed. This book was printed by Farleigh Dickinson University in his home state of New Jersey in 1982. The copy has DePol's bookplate and signature. Priced at $125.
Item 77 is DePol's From Dark to Light. Wood Engravings for the Stone House Press. This is one of 200 copies of this review of the work he did for this particular specialty printer in the 1980s. It includes 60 of his wood engravings, printed from the blocks. The copy is signed by DePol and contains his bookplate. $300.
One more DePol item: John DePol: A Celebration of His Work by Many Hands. This is copy number one of 150 copies of a tribute put together by many of the printers for whom he had produced illustrations. Copy number one was DePol's personal copy, specially bound, and signed and dated by him. The tribute was printed in 1994, when DePol reached 80 years of age. Item 80. $950.
