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Cynwall, Wiliam; Williams, Gwyn [translator]; Petts, John [illustrator]
In Defence of Women. [Limited edition number 129 of 500]
Publisher: Golden Cockerel Press; London;
Date of Publication: 1960
Stock Code: 12487
Limited to 500 copies, of which this is no. 129. Tall octavo, pp. 28. With 10 full-page coloured wood engravings by John Petts. Set by hand in Eric Gill’s Golden Cockerel 14 pt type on mould-made paper. Bound in navy cloth with gilt stamped ornament to upper board depicting a pair of warrior women, gilt title to spine. Cloth unfaded, clean with bright gilt. Contents clean, crisp, and bright. A fine copy. The sister volume to the Golden Cockerel Press’ “Against Women” (1953), also illustrated by John Petts, which was selected as one of the best books for the National Book League’s 1954 show. As Christopher Sandford in Cock-A-Hoop relates "Cynwal was a sixteeth century poet, a serious man who was more vexed than amused by the widely circulated satire 'Against Women'.” Despite the more earnest tone, this seductive follow up is similarly illustrated with sumptuously coloured wood engravings of eroticised biblical and mythical temptresses with a serpentine theme throughout. “In Defence of Women” was one of the final books designed by Sandford, and produced by the press before it ceased operation in 1961. £125.00