A Partial Set of George Ratcliffe Woodward’s Private Printing.

Mostly 12mo, 21 pamphlets usually in printed, stiff-paper wrappers and issued in limited editions of fewer than 150 copies on wove paper. However Cupid & Psyche has been issued in drab, printed boards and dust jacket on laid paper.

First and only editions of these charming opuscula, curiously reminiscent of the work of the Daniel Press a few years earlier. George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) was a successful Church of England clergyman and hymnwriter perhaps best known for his Christmas carol Ding, Dong! Merrily on High. Soon after forming the “Plainsong and Mediaeval Music Society” circa. 1889, he embarked upon a series of private printings focused on hymns, carols and songs. The first was printed in 1892 and entitled Carols for Christmas-tide, subsequently followed by nearly a dozen similarly themed volumes over the next (20) years. The period from 1922 until his death just (12) years later saw the lion’s share of  his private publication with over two-dozen titles, the majority of which are represented here. Comprised largely of his own translations into English of Greek and Latin epigrams, odes and poetry, as follows:

 

1. Cupid & Psyche From the Latin of Apuleius Done into English Verse in Nine Cantos. London: Imprinted at the Chiswick Press, 1912. 8vo,  [8], 100 pp. Printed paper over boards. 

 

2. The Babe of Bethlehem. London: Highgate Village, 1923. 8vo, 18, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Title page printed in red and black. Number 102 of 200 total copies.

 

3. Acta Sanctorum, Being XII Poems. London: A.R. Mowbray & Co., 1924.  12mo, vii, [1], 52 pp. Thick-card stock wrappers, dustjacket. 

 

4. Good Friday and Easter-Day Couplets. London: Highgate Village, 1924. 16mo, 11, [1] pp. Printed paper wrappers bearing woodcut image of ascension-day emblems. Uncut.

 

5. Greek Anthology; 133 Love Epigrams in English Verse. London: Highgate Village, 1924. 12mo, 91, [1] pp. Printed wrappers.

 

6. Carmina Spiritualia. London: Highgate Village, 1928. Small 8vo, 21, [1]  pp. Printed wrappers. Number 111 from 130 total copies.

 

7. Gleanings from Ancient Olive-yards Greek and Roman. London: Highgate Village, 1928. Small 8vo, 18, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 127 from 136 total copies.

 

8. Miscellaneous Verse Sacred and Secular. London: Highgate Village, 1928. 8vo, 24 pp. Number 138 of 145 total copies.

 

9. Spring-Time Songs. London: Highgate Village, 1928. 12mo, [2], 35 pp. Printed wrappers. 

 

10. Translations of Italian, French & German Poems. London: Highgate Village, 1928. 8vo, 13, [3] pp. Printed wrappers. 

 

11. Tart and Homely Gibes or Greek Epigrammatists. London: Highgate Village, 1928. 12mo, 45, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. 

 

12. Greek Witticisms Told in English Verse. London: Highgate Village, 1929. 12mo, 21, [3] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 113 of 120 total copies.

 

13. Some Remnants of Greek Comedy. London: Highgate Village, 1929. 

8vo, 14, [2] pp. Printed wrappers.   

 

14. St. Halward, The Martyr: Also, Two Moral Fables. London: Highgate Village, 1929. 12mo, 18, [2] pp. Number 13 of 120 total copies.

 

15. The Story of Arion and the Dolphin. London: Highgate Village, 1929. 12mo, 14, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 107 of 120 total copies. 

 

16. Epigrams on Sappho and other famous Greek Lyric Poetesses. London: Highgate Village, 1931. 12mo, 10, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 10 of 120 total copies.

 

17. A Garland of Spiritual Flowers. London: Highgate Village, 1931. London: Highgate Village, 1931. 12mo, 13, [3] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 45 from 120 total copies.

 

18. Greek Epigrams Religious & Dedicatory, Volume I. London: Highgate Village, 1931. 12mo, 18, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 52 from 120 total copies. 

 

19. Greek Epigrams Religious & Dedicatory, Volume II. London: Highgate Village, 1931. 12mo, 22, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 83 from 120 total copies. 

 

20. Greek Epigrams on Timon, Diogenes & Others. London: Highgate Village, 1931. 12mo, 14, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 58 from 120 total copies. 

 

21. Tales of Sea Sorrow from The Greek Anthology. London: Highgate Village, 1931. 12mo, 18, [2] pp. Printed wrappers. Number 53 from 136 total copies.

Stock Code: 245305