[Hunter, Dard] Primitive Papermaking: An Account of a Mexican Sojourn..

Chillicothe, OH: Mountain House Press, 1927. First edition. First edition. Folio. (17 x 12 1/4 inches). Loose, as issued, in original half cloth portfolio over blue-gray paper covered boards, with decorative cover label printed in brown and black, and with original cloth ties. Limited Edition, number 189 of 200 copies printed, Signed by Dard Hunter. The very rare and important treatise on non-American printmaking, principally dealing with the production of "tapa" in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Co. Includes 48 pages of text and 27 pages of mounted specimen leaves, photograph, bark paper samples (both plain and decorated), etc. Our copy with three typed letters signed, by Dard Hunter, comprising a total of 5 pages, to Henry Morris, founder of Bird & Bull Press, regarding Morris' purchase of five Dard Hunter books from Carmelita Gomez, as well as dealing with collecting and interests regarding works published by Hunter and the Bird & Bull Press. A free exchange of viewpoints and ideas, as well as intimate conversation expressed herein, as "I can't for the life of me why [sic] you say you have so may problems in printing as well as papermaking. Your books do not show it, at least to novice like myself." As well, "Was surprised to lean you too had retired. This means you probably will be making books from now on. That statement is not true, because you have been making them for many years..." And, "I am quite surprised that Carmelita sold her D.H. books as she was a tremendous admirer of my father and his accomplishments. I have written her a number of times.. she was originally to George Moore who did my father's bust which is now in the Institute of Paper Chemistry... He was killed outright in an automobile accident in Lime Rock in the early thirties..." All February, 1977 on Dard Hunter's Chillicothe printed stationary, and with one stamped and postmarked cover. A fine association copy indeed. Most scarce. Fine.