8 leaves of illuminated manuscript on vellum, by Alberto Sangorski, plus 2 blank vellum leaves. Includes two miniatures and nine initials. Comprises: [leaf 1] Title-page written in blue, red and gilt with "If" in liquid gold on brown floral ground, all within gilt rules and narrow floral border. [2] Watercolor portrait miniature of Rudyard Kipling in textured gold frame and captioned in blue and gold. (90x88 mm) [3-4] Four pages of calligraphic text of the poem "If", each page with polychrome and incised gilt large initial and floral three-quarters border. [5] Full-page watercolor miniature, a chivalric image depicting a knight in prayer, in border (180x115 mm) [6-7] Three pages of calligraphic text of the Recessional, each page with polychrome and incised gilt large initial and foliate three-quarters border, two pages with additional smaller initials. [8] Colophon calligraphed in red and black, reading "This manuscript...was designed, written out, and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski. This manuscript will not be duplicated" and signed by Alberto Sangorski. Interleaved with tissue or fabric. (4to) 9½x7, full morocco extra by Riviere; black morocco case. Unique copy, signed by the creator.
Magnificent Sangorski illuminated manuscript, a unique version of his interpretation of Kipling's exalting poem. The fine Riviere bindings is full brown crushed levant with the covers and spine inlaid with black morocco border, and green morocco on a textured gilt ground in a strapwork design; the upper cover inlaid with black and red morocco initials of the author, and the final verse of the poem stamped in gilt at border of central panel. Doublures of tan calf with elaborate green, brown, black and gilt design and peach cotton moire, all edges gilt. Housed in a custom, moire- and velvet-lined, black morocco case with brass clasps, double gilt-rule on upper and lower panels, raised bands, spine titled and ruled in gilt. The armorial bookplate of Frederick S. Peck on the verso of front endleaf. Subtle and neat retouching to gilt have been performed in the following places: leaf 1, recto: initial and the immediate border around it; leaf 2, recto: 'R' and 'K', in Rudyard Kipling; leaf 3, recto: top right border, left side border; leaf 3, verso: part of ornament at bottom left side, part of ornament at top right side; leaf 4, recto: initial; leaf 4, verso: initial; leaf 5. recto: border; leaf 6, verso: second initial.
Condition:
A few small rubs to case, case lining renewed; moire endleaves and tissue interleaves renewed; retouching to gilt of several letters and borders (re-gilding done without the filigree detailing of Sangorski's original); a touch of mild foxing to leaf with bookplate; still fine in fine binding and case.