Suite Chinese

[Suzette Morton Hamill Davidson] [Alfred E. Hamill] Western, Hugh

Published by Pocahontas Press, Chicago, 1937

About this Item

Collection of poetry from the Chicago collector and founder of the Centaurs Press, Alfred E. Hamill (1884-1953) writing as Hugh Western. Hamill was also the father in law of the book's designer and illustrator, and founder of the Pocahontas Press, Suzette M. Hamill, later Davidson (1911-1996). Suite Chinese is the first book from the press, published while she was a student at the Art Institute of Chicago. Suzette Hamill was turned on to fine printing while an undergraduate at Vassar College through Goudy exhibits at the library, the famous typographer also paying visits to the school from time to time.In theVassar QuarterlyVolume XLI, Number 1, October 1955, Hamill elaborates on her founding of the press and first effort: "At Christmas time in 1937, while still a student at the Art Institute, I published the first book bearing as imprint The Pocahontas Press. Why Pocahontas? Seeking a name that was American, feminine, and related to me, I chose that of the Indian girl who had married an English ancestor eleven generations ago. A son was born of this union, making the proprietor of The Pocahontas Press 1/384 part Algonquin Indian! .It is of significance that the first Pocahontas Press imprint should be a collection of poems, Suite Chinese, by Alfred E. Hamill, my first husband's father. .Suite Chinese was a small volume of squarish format, illustrated and hand set by me in Bruce Rogers' Centaur type and printed by George Domke on English handmade paper. The edition comprisedone hundred copies, of which only about ten were sold, the rest being given to friends as keepsakes. Happy days!" This significant and beautiful first book from Pocahontas Press is quite uncommon in the trade. Worldcat shows 10 holdings. . 12x11cm, [12]ff. Illustrations, printed in two colors throughout. Signed, inscribed to the former owner, and dated by the designer and illustrator, Suzette in 1938 on ffep. Printed by George Domke at the Art Institute of Chicago. Orange cloth, spine lettered in gilt, hand decorated covers in white, blue, orange, and gold, t.e.g. Spine sunned else near fine. Seller Inventory # 5395

Bibliographic Details

Title: Suite Chinese

Publisher: Pocahontas Press, Chicago

Publication Date: 1937

Binding: Hardcover

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First edition of 100 copies.