2 - Acadiensa Nova

Acadiensia Nova (1598-1779): New and unpublished documents and other data relating to Acadia (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, etc.). The actors: Sir William Alexander, Jacques de Meulles, Gargas, Vincent de Saccardy, Marquis de la Roche, Delabat and J.F. W. des Barres. Collected and edited by William Inglis Morse. Photographs by the editor. Limited edition: # 3 of 375. In two volumes. London: Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 1935.

Vol. I - xxx, 222 pages; illus., photographs, plates, folded maps, facsims.; 22.5 cm.

Vol. II - x, [1] l., 170 pages; illus., plates, folded maps, facsims. ; 22.5 cm.

Edition Statement

Published in 1935 by Bernard Quaritch Ltd. of London in a limited edition of 375 copies. All copies printed on Barcham Green’s handmade paper at the Curwen Press, Plaistow, London. Numbered copies with numbers 16 to 375 bound in full green buckram. Numbers I-XV bound in commissioned full leather fine bindings by Douglas Cockerell; number 3 is owned by the Dalhousie University Libraries, number 13 by the Harvard University Library and number 15 by the Yale University Libraries.

 Binding Description

Both volumes are covered in matching full red morocco leather bindings. The front covers feature a central circular motif composed of gilt leaves, dots, and fillets, and a geometric detail created from two sizes of a triangular binding tool surrounding a centred cross of gilt fillets. Spaced evenly above and below the centre motif are two decorative features created by four small gilt leaves alternated with gilt dots around a single gilt dot. This decorative feature is repeated at the four corners and in the centre of the back covers, as well as in the top and bottom three compartments of both spines. The spines’ five raised bands are outlined in blind fillets, and create six compartments. The book title and editor’s name are stamped in gilt in upper case lettering in the second compartment from the top, while the volume number in Roman numerals are stamped in gilt in the compartment beneath. The year of publication, likewise stamped in gilt, is in the bottommost compartment, and gold thread head- and tailbands adorn both volumes. The leather turn-ins in both volumes are outlined by two blind fillets, and the top edges of text in each volume is gilded with the other two edges untrimmed. The eight folded inserts in Volume II are neatly flagged with printed tabs, and “D.C. & SON 1935” is stamped in gilt on the back cover lower left leather turn in. The front and back endpapers in both volumes are decorated in the distinctive Cockerell marbled paper pattern in complementary tones of blue, green, burgundy and gold.

Special Features

Creating two identical fine bindings takes a great deal of skill and dexterity as even the slightest difference in the pattern will be immediately noticed by the discerning eye. The bindings on the two volumes of this set are beautifully identical with a simple, balanced and appealing gilt design on rich red morocco leather.