8 leaves of illuminated manuscript on vellum, by Alberto Sangorski, plus 2 blank vellum leaves. Includes two miniatures and nine initials. Comprises: [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 calligraphed 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 calligraphed 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 binding is stamp-signed by Riviere. It is full brown crushed levant, covers and spine are inlaid with navy morocco border, and green morocco on a textured gilt ground in a strapwork design; the upper cover with navy and red morocco initials of the author, and the final verse of the poem stamped in gilt. Doublures of tan calf with elaborate green, brown, black and gilt design and peach cotton moire. All edges gilt. In a silk-lined, black morocco case with brass clasps, and gilt-ruled. The armorial bookplate of Frederick S. Peck is on the front flyleaf.