August Heckscher's Uphill Press was a precursor to his Printing Office at High Loft. In the 10th Anniversary Edition of "Fine Print" printer/reviewer Breon Mitchell said of Hecksher's masterpiece, Shyp of Fooles, "The success of this major project from High Loft is due to a combination of fine printing and excellent editorial decisions." Joseph Blumenthal, in the same issue: "Heckscher has produced beautiful books for more than half a century, from the youthful beginnings  at The Ashlar Press to the splendid achievements at High Loft . . . [he] has carved a deep niche in the small world of fine printing."   

Laid-in is an autographed note signed by Hecksher. This copy is also inscribed, dated (8/28/85), and signed: "For J.A.P from a grateful printer. A. Hecksher"

In this brief little book printed on a very delicate double tissue-like sheet wonderfully allusive to the ethereal topic, it is 1865 and Thomas Bailey Aldrich is writing to a friend about his stay at Willowbrook Inn in the lovely Finger Lakes region of New York State. He is captivated by the Inn and its maze of rooms, the brook that winds past the Inn-- "old rambling cocked-hat mansion . . . a gracious little brook winds in and out among groves of willows singing all day and all night." He is enraptured by the library of 10,000 black letter volumes, and is unable to depart, although having tried several times. It is a letter from a man at peace with himself, and nature's world brimming around him. Who knows, it might be catching.

What skill and expertise Heckscher brought to his folio, Shyp of Fooles, he has endowed in this little beauty of a book, A Letter. For those of you not up on your 19th century American writers, Thomas Bailey Aldrich was a poet, essayist, and novelist, travel writer, and critic, and an ancestor to August Heckscher. Long time editor of the "Atlantic Monthly," Mark Twain called him "the sincerest man that walks." Twain had less kind words for Aldrich's wife: "a vacant hellion, a blithering, driveling blatherskite." And that was on a good day.

The second book offered here is The Flow of Time, A New Year's Essay by A.H. issued as a Christmas keepsake--the eighth in a series of holiday booklets for friends of the Printing Office at High Loft.  5 x 8-1/2; [1], 7, [3] pages (unnumbered). Hand-sewn into what, to the best of my knowledge, is Fabriano green wrappers, with deckle preserved. Printed letterpress at the Printing Office at High Loft in Seal Harbor, Maine in 1986, on a fine 100 % cotton mould-made Hahnemuhle watermarked paper, with a few decorations throughout. Issued without a dust jacket. None of the keepsakes were signed or numbered, as issued. This Christmas keepsake from August Heckscher's Printing Office at High Loft is as scarce as they come.

And for those who know little about August Heckscher other than his work as a printer of fine handmade books, he served as Parks Commissioner of New York, and was the first White House Special Consultant on the Arts having been appointed by President John F. Kennedy, and worked for the United States at the United Nations Conference on International Organizations. Any New Yorker will be acquainted with the family name as it dots the map of New York and Long Island,  Heckscher State Park being among the more prominent.

Note: Some of August Heckscher's press publications are in the archives of the Grolier Club 

CONDITION: Both volumes are virtually as new. Publisher's glassine (A Letter) in perfect shape other than some yellowing not affecting the book (which is what glassine does over time). I am certain you will not find a better copy anywhere of this small limited edition. I have looked. 

SHIPPING: US Postal Service Media Mail. If you prefer expedited shipping please select the Priority Mail option for which there is a fee. International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping center (please check for exclusions). Be assured I pack with extreme care.

TERMS: I make a determined effort to accurately describe each book. Your satisfaction is uppermost, and notice of return should be given within 30 days of receipt.