Heaven and Hades: Two Excursions for Bookmen

BLUMENTHAL, Walter Hart

Published by Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, MA, 1965

About this Item

8vo. Burgundy cloth with gilt lettering. 64pp. Illustrations. Fine. Pristine first edition, limited to 200 copies, of these two bibliophilic essays: "Diabolica: Poisonous Pens and Satanic Books" and "Heaven's Library: Archives and Annals of the Gods of Old." Tipped to blank leaf facing title page is a unique frontispiece -- a great content Typed Letter Signed from publisher St. Onge, 1p, 8½" X 5½", Worcester, MA, 10 April 1964. Near fine. Two original horizontal folds. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93), noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar. Chats cordially about a miniature Civil War pair he'd like to publish. In part: "I've had a Civil War book in mind for several years. I did ask Dr. Edwin P. Booth, a fellow member of the Lincoln Group of Boston to gather choice items from both the North and South for use in a small book, and I'm still waiting! He feels that the South does not offer too much in such material, to sort of balance the book. What I have in mind is a two volume set -- one for the North and the other for the South, and I think they should be equal as to the number of pages -- perhaps 64 to each book, and also I had thought of using the postage stamps that were issued for the Civil War anniversary." Boldly signed in full at the close. St. Onge (1913-78) was a printer, publisher and one of the most renowned of 20th century miniature book publishers (i.e., less than 3"), responsible for 46 miniature books between 1935 and 1977; inaugural addresses, sermons, dedicatory remarks, eulogies and the like were his forte, published in limited editions in full leather with gilt stamping, gilt edges and all the trimmings. Seller Inventory # 48849

Bibliographic Details

Title: Heaven and Hades: Two Excursions for Bookmen

Publisher: Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, MA

Publication Date: 1965

Binding: Hardcover

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition