1/95 with Laid-in TLS
Following Bernhardt Wall, 1872–1956: Bio-Biblographic Sketch
Publication: Austin: Book Club of Texas, 1994. First Edition.
Notes: A short bibliography and short biography of Bernhardt Wall, a commercial artist who designed thousands of postcards and published limited edition books composed almost entirely of his own etchings. This is a much expanded (both in word-count and size) of a miniature book with a similar name published by Dawson's Book Shop in 1974.
This book reproduces several full-page Texas-themed etchings as well as a number of smaller works in high-quality photogravure that very closely replicate the originals; it also includes an original Wall postcard.
This is one of 95 copies, out of an edition of 195, with an original typed letter signed by Wall laid in.
[viii], 83, [3] pages. 9 by 11-3/4 inches.
Edition + Condition: First edition of this expanded version. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket (plain paper with a paper spine label), In a fine slipcase. This is copy #69. The laid-in letter, on Wall letterhead topped with an engraving of the Alamo, is addressed to "Fred" (Theodore Fred Kuper) and dated Nov. 7, 1935. He describes an unsuccessful effort to sell a judge one of his book series ("the man is not a collector") and laments the cost of his Lincoln series, which he says, "takes a man of means to begin the subscription; $150."
This copy comes from the collection of a late member of the club, Tom Garner, who has laid in a commemorative cover (envelope) designed by Wall for the San Jacinto Battlefield Centennial Celebration, in 1936.
Item No: #365247
Price: $400