The ethics of limited editions are always difficult to assess,
but there is reason in the demand that the literary value of the contents should bear some relation to the quality of their Setting. To the purist, Sir Robert Vansittart's claim to special treatment from the typographer may appear debatable. Certainly, as poetry this suit tale " of a caravan's journey from the Caspian to the Persian Gulf is not remarkable. It cannot, for instance, be compared with the poetry of St. John Persc or even the best of Miss Sackville-West. But it is of its kind pleasant and effective verse, founded on acute powers of observation and description which recall Meeker, and quickened by an occasional brilliance of metaphor. The book (The Singing Caravan. Gregynog Press. £4 4s.) is delightfully produced and bound, set in 'Gill perpetua " type, and adorned with decorations and a frontispiece by William MacCance. A, a specimen of first-class book production it is, of course, worth every penny of its price. From its literary value the cost may appear disproportionate.
Previous page
