John Stevens Wade — Gallery

London, Poet & Printer, 1969. First edition. Paperback. A very smart, illustrated first edition, with very scarce letter, presenting this copy as a gift from the binder, who also signs the letter. A very smart first edition. Bound in publisher's original pink paper wraps.  Featuring a very scarce letter. The letter is addressed from Poet & Printer, to 'Ben', and marks the gifting of this copy to the recipient. The letter reads: 'Dear Ben, Your comments were very helpful, just as they were before - many thanks. The title page you suggested was my first inention but the 8x5 would have been hopeless with that large area of line block on the Cornwall cover and I had it reduced. Your comments on Caslon are very clear and now see the folly of Smooth Process with that kind of face. Please keep Gallery enclosed - no comments, please! - which must have had its origins in A Apple Pie, though there are so many deficiencies in my book, faulty imposition, slurring and god knows what, that I usually hide it. It's done on tram ticket stock and Hostmann-Steinberg colour mixes. Once again, many thanks and Best wishes, Alan' The letter is signed by Alan Tarling, who bound this book. Illustrated throughout with colour vignette illustrations to face each poem. Additionally slotted inside are three flyers advertising 'the start of The Mini Press created by Matthew Sands, May 1970&apos. Bound in original paper wraps. Externally, very smart. Mild shelf wear. Moderate sunning to spine. The odd very minor mark to covers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: Tom Ricciardi. Near Fine .