Collections of an Only Child: Seventy Years a Bibliophile, the Library of Justin G. Schiller

Fair Oak, Kingsclere Woodlands, Hants.: Published by the Author, 1936. First and limited edition, #7/24 numbered copies (from a total edition of 30). 4to. 26 leaves. Completely printed and illustrated in lithography, on rectos only, on hand-made paper, by Chubb. Three-quarter dark green niger over black cloth-covered boards, spine lettered in gilt, extremities and joints rubbed; all edges untrimmed. Original pictorial prospectus and order form laid in. Reid A12b

A rare first edition of this finely self-published work by Ralph Chubb, completely printed in lithography, one of only 30 copies produced. Chubb was a pioneering spirit in promoting these uniquely conceived hand-made private press books, mixing his texts with prose and poetry, the heroic and pseudo-religious, combined with free-spirited illustrations highly influenced by William Blake. A landmark in LGBTQ+ literature, Water Cherubs is generally considered the best designed and illustrated work in the author's oeuvre.

Rare to auction, according to RBH this is the first copy offered since 1985.