Odes and Epodes of Horace, 1961
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1GardenOfForkingPaths
This title was not on my radar at all. However, I have wanted to read the Odes and my willpower for resisting fine condition LECs at reasonable prices is practically zero. The 2 volume production is unusual but there are still plenty of positive aspects to look at and enjoy. I include a few details from the Monthly Letter (#332, July 1961)
This LEC was designed by Robert L. Dothard who was responsible for several earlier titles, including The Oregon Trail, The Aeneid, The Innocent Voyage, as well as the Quarto-Millenary. Printing was done by the Thistle Press and binding by the Russel-Rutter Company, both of New York.
The smaller volume contains the Odes and Epodes (with the Latin on facing pages) selected and introduced by Louis Untermeyer, while the larger is a portfolio of reproductions of pages from earlier editions of Horace from 1482 to 1910. The books are contained in a slipcase similar to that used in Pudd'nhead Wilson and Man and Superman, with handy little ribbon pulls.
The Odes and Epodes volume is substantially smaller and a really nice size for reading: "a chunky little volume, which, from the best evidence we can gather, more or less resembles Horace himself". Both books are half-bound in buckram with hand-marbled paper sides "made by Putois Frères of Paris in tones of brown and green flecked with gold" (the gold has not shown up well in my photographs). The same marbled paper is used for the endpapers of the small volume, while the larger has plain endpapers. The edges of both page blocks are speckled, rather densely, in brown. The books' spine titles are "stamped in pure gold upon a panel laid down in dark green pigment leaf".
Once inside the small volume, the paper used is a laid Curtis rag. Even though the paper feels quite thin and unremarkable, it's pleasant enough and the opacity is just about okay (the ML mentions that titanium was added to help).
The typeface is Bembo (italicised for the Latin). There are only a couple of other design details in the ML to note. Firstly, the red line borders "in a pattern hallowed by a grande old tradition". These lines are "pen-ruled" rather than printed: "The ruling is accomplished by a remarkable Rubegoldbergian machine that terminates in a hollow pen point, or points, and is then transferred to the paper". Secondly, there are the hand-set ornaments at the top of the Latin versions. There are no illustrations.
Turning to Pages from Earlier Editions of Horace, the reproductions were done by the Meriden Gravure Company and are printed on much thicker Curtis rag paper. The reproductions are produced in exactly the size of the originals - some of them being rather large - necessitating the larger format for this volume.
Above: a page from an edition by John Pine, London, 1733
I've really warmed to the large format portfolio. Though there are only 23, the reproductions (especially noticeable on the pages with engravings) are of excellent quality. The decision to present these feels more appropriate and has greater resonance when it is understood that these are pages from George Macy's collection of Horace books, he having been a "student of the classics, a lover of fine printing, a collector of Horace, and an occasional poet whose work reflects a strong and stimulating Horatian influence".
The short, but excellent, bibliographical introduction to this volume by John T. Winterich is full of interesting details about the editions represented here and the people who printed them. He also mentions that in 1940 George Macy used one of his own translations of Horace to create a small book for friends and family. The type for that book was hand set by Helen Macy, the director of the LEC when this edition of Odes and Epodes was published in 1961.
This LEC was designed by Robert L. Dothard who was responsible for several earlier titles, including The Oregon Trail, The Aeneid, The Innocent Voyage, as well as the Quarto-Millenary. Printing was done by the Thistle Press and binding by the Russel-Rutter Company, both of New York.
The smaller volume contains the Odes and Epodes (with the Latin on facing pages) selected and introduced by Louis Untermeyer, while the larger is a portfolio of reproductions of pages from earlier editions of Horace from 1482 to 1910. The books are contained in a slipcase similar to that used in Pudd'nhead Wilson and Man and Superman, with handy little ribbon pulls.
The Odes and Epodes volume is substantially smaller and a really nice size for reading: "a chunky little volume, which, from the best evidence we can gather, more or less resembles Horace himself". Both books are half-bound in buckram with hand-marbled paper sides "made by Putois Frères of Paris in tones of brown and green flecked with gold" (the gold has not shown up well in my photographs). The same marbled paper is used for the endpapers of the small volume, while the larger has plain endpapers. The edges of both page blocks are speckled, rather densely, in brown. The books' spine titles are "stamped in pure gold upon a panel laid down in dark green pigment leaf".
Once inside the small volume, the paper used is a laid Curtis rag. Even though the paper feels quite thin and unremarkable, it's pleasant enough and the opacity is just about okay (the ML mentions that titanium was added to help).
The typeface is Bembo (italicised for the Latin). There are only a couple of other design details in the ML to note. Firstly, the red line borders "in a pattern hallowed by a grande old tradition". These lines are "pen-ruled" rather than printed: "The ruling is accomplished by a remarkable Rubegoldbergian machine that terminates in a hollow pen point, or points, and is then transferred to the paper". Secondly, there are the hand-set ornaments at the top of the Latin versions. There are no illustrations.
Turning to Pages from Earlier Editions of Horace, the reproductions were done by the Meriden Gravure Company and are printed on much thicker Curtis rag paper. The reproductions are produced in exactly the size of the originals - some of them being rather large - necessitating the larger format for this volume.
Above: a page from an edition by John Pine, London, 1733
I've really warmed to the large format portfolio. Though there are only 23, the reproductions (especially noticeable on the pages with engravings) are of excellent quality. The decision to present these feels more appropriate and has greater resonance when it is understood that these are pages from George Macy's collection of Horace books, he having been a "student of the classics, a lover of fine printing, a collector of Horace, and an occasional poet whose work reflects a strong and stimulating Horatian influence".
The short, but excellent, bibliographical introduction to this volume by John T. Winterich is full of interesting details about the editions represented here and the people who printed them. He also mentions that in 1940 George Macy used one of his own translations of Horace to create a small book for friends and family. The type for that book was hand set by Helen Macy, the director of the LEC when this edition of Odes and Epodes was published in 1961.
2L.Bloom
>1 GardenOfForkingPaths: This is a wonderful set and one of my favorites they have ever done.
4abysswalker
I also think this set is an underappreciated gem. Everything about it is spot on for me. I agree with your assessment of the paper, but given the small form factor of the poetry volume, I think a thicker paper would have not worked well (the whole design would need to change). The buckram spine feels like it will age well (certainly better than many leathers). My copy is still in fine condition.
I also have a weakness for marbled covers though. I would add that the end papers using the same marbled paper results in a rather striking effect in person.
The speckled page edges read as very midcentury design to me, and I might not have chosen that style myself, but in the context of everything else it still works for me.
I think perhaps this effort is underappreciated because 1) Horace has been and remains somewhat unfashionable and 2) none of other names associated with production (Dothard, Thistle Press, etc.) have attained the brand recognition or mystique of others that worked with Macy. I have a few editions printed by Thistle Press though, and they are all nicely done.
I also have a weakness for marbled covers though. I would add that the end papers using the same marbled paper results in a rather striking effect in person.
The speckled page edges read as very midcentury design to me, and I might not have chosen that style myself, but in the context of everything else it still works for me.
I think perhaps this effort is underappreciated because 1) Horace has been and remains somewhat unfashionable and 2) none of other names associated with production (Dothard, Thistle Press, etc.) have attained the brand recognition or mystique of others that worked with Macy. I have a few editions printed by Thistle Press though, and they are all nicely done.
5BionicJim
>1 GardenOfForkingPaths: Thanks for the great write-up. I really enjoy seeing detailed posts about these books that are becoming more scarce. The “pen-ruled” design element called-out here was used in several of the LECs around this time, including all of the “Poems of …” books I’ve seen that were also selected and introduced by Louis Untermeyer. For this reason, I feel like this fits into that series, but miniaturized.
6kermaier
I've long wanted to acquire just the small volume -- no interest in the folio of facsimiles. Not as easy to find them split up, though.
7jsg1976
>6 kermaier: I had the same desire, and actually found one on Abe a few months ago. It’s a lovely volume.
10GardenOfForkingPaths
>2 L.Bloom: Agreed, a lovely set, and often available in Fine condition for $50-$75.
>3 Lukas1990: >9 WildcatJF: Would love to hear what you think of it if and when you get it!
>4 abysswalker: I'm with on you on the speckled edges: it does just about work, but is indeed very close to being one step - one brown - too many. I think you make great points about why this is not one of the popular LECs. I could also understand people wanting illustrations or more elaborate decorations in the Odes volume itself, especially when the portfolio of facsimiles neatly demonstrates how well this has been done in the past.
That being said, i'm happy enough with the minimal presentation of the poetry and think the facsimiles are an interesting idea. The connection with George Macy's own collection of Horace books somehow encapsulates one of the lovely things about LEC books. In a previous thread, Django mentioned that this production was apparently a project of Macy's that was obviously not realised until after his death.
>5 BionicJim: Thanks. Looking at pictures online, I see what you mean about a connection with the other Untermeyer selected poetry volumes (Emerson, Dickinson, Whittier, Poe, Bryant). It would be fascinating to see that "remarkable Rube-Goldbergian" pen-ruling machine in action!
>6 kermaier: >7 jsg1976: I can appreciate only having an interest in the small volume. A very pleasant volume for dipping in and out of.
>8 GusLogan: Well spotted... that didn't hang around long!
Thanks all for your comments.
>3 Lukas1990: >9 WildcatJF: Would love to hear what you think of it if and when you get it!
>4 abysswalker: I'm with on you on the speckled edges: it does just about work, but is indeed very close to being one step - one brown - too many. I think you make great points about why this is not one of the popular LECs. I could also understand people wanting illustrations or more elaborate decorations in the Odes volume itself, especially when the portfolio of facsimiles neatly demonstrates how well this has been done in the past.
That being said, i'm happy enough with the minimal presentation of the poetry and think the facsimiles are an interesting idea. The connection with George Macy's own collection of Horace books somehow encapsulates one of the lovely things about LEC books. In a previous thread, Django mentioned that this production was apparently a project of Macy's that was obviously not realised until after his death.
>5 BionicJim: Thanks. Looking at pictures online, I see what you mean about a connection with the other Untermeyer selected poetry volumes (Emerson, Dickinson, Whittier, Poe, Bryant). It would be fascinating to see that "remarkable Rube-Goldbergian" pen-ruling machine in action!
>6 kermaier: >7 jsg1976: I can appreciate only having an interest in the small volume. A very pleasant volume for dipping in and out of.
>8 GusLogan: Well spotted... that didn't hang around long!
Thanks all for your comments.
11wcarter
>1 GardenOfForkingPaths:
Very nice indeed! Now on my wish list.
Very nice indeed! Now on my wish list.
12laotzu225
> Please let me add one more comment. I have this but have not gone through it in detail or read much of it. Your essay and pictures have given me a new appreciation for this production.
I will spend more time with it.
I will spend more time with it.
13laotzu225
>10 GardenOfForkingPaths: Let me add another comment. I have this in my library but have never really gone through it since I initially obtained it. Your essay has given me a new appreciation for the production. Thanks!!!
15kdweber
>14 kermaier: Louis Untermeyer
16kermaier
>15 kdweber:
Oh, I read the title page as only attributing the selection, editing and introduction to Untermeyer — but the translation credit seems quite ambiguous.
Oh, I read the title page as only attributing the selection, editing and introduction to Untermeyer — but the translation credit seems quite ambiguous.
17BionicJim
>14 kermaier: The poems are translated by a variety of translators selected by Untermeyer and credited after each one. The translators, some classic, some modern include John Dryden, Louis Untermeyer, John Conington, Sir Edward Marsh, and many others.
18kermaier
>17 BionicJim:
Ah, yes, I see — thank you!
Ah, yes, I see — thank you!
19GusLogan
>8 GusLogan:
There’s a copy just listed on US eBay now (no affiliation) with all the trimmings (ML etc.) stated as Fine (but is that a smudge on one spine?) for 70 USD and Best Offer.
(I won’t keep doing this whenever a copy is listed, I just happened to see this one, too.)
There’s a copy just listed on US eBay now (no affiliation) with all the trimmings (ML etc.) stated as Fine (but is that a smudge on one spine?) for 70 USD and Best Offer.
(I won’t keep doing this whenever a copy is listed, I just happened to see this one, too.)
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