Lynd Ward’s wordless novel, Gods’ Man, was printed from the blocks in a limited edition after the Trade edition was printed.
Gods’ Man LIMITED EDITION, May 1930 – printed from the blocks
NOTE: the date for the Limited edition is May 1930, apparently it was actually printed after the Trade Edition was printed in October 1930 – this needs to be checked.
Dear Mr. van der Bie,
It was good of you to send me a copy of the lines you wrote on the theme of “Gods’ Man.” I appreciate having them, very much.
The book has been out of print for several years. Occasionally copies can be had through second-hand book dealers such as “SCHULTE’S,” 80 Fourth Ave., N.Y.C. Aside from that, the only copies I know of are a few of the limited edition that was printed directly from the wood blocks. When the publishers went through a rather involved re-organization several years ago, I took over the remaining copies in the limited edition and have been letting my friends have them, when they wanted them, at a price of 5 dollars, which is a third of the publishers’ price. If you care about having this edition, I will be glad to make one available.
Yours sincerely,
Lynd Ward
As per letter Ward sent to Mr. Van der Bie dated January 8, 1941.
- Jonathan Cape & Harrison Smith, New York
- edition of 409 copies, signed and numbered, of which 378 are for sale. NOTE: I have seen a number of copies including #4 and #405. This would suggest that numbers 1 through 409 were all just designated as such. In that case in what way, if any, were the 31 copies “Not For Sale” differentiated? Frequently copies “not for sale” are designated “HC” or “hors commerce” but if that is the case there would be 409 plus 31 copies in the edition – INFORMATION IS SOUGHT
- pulled from the blocks
- Octavo 14.5cm x 25.5cm on heavy stock
- Black cloth with illustrated paper labels on the front board and back strip. In both cases the boards have been impressed (recessed?) and the labels glued on. The spine label appears to have a flat finish while the front cover label is shiny as is the ink.
- Top edge gilt, fore edge uncut (or deckle?).
- #4 +#19 have black end papers but I recall being told this edition had illustrated end papers – does anyone have information about this? wn@wordlessnovels.com
- Housed in a black slipcase.
