The story focuses on the moral dilemma of bringing a child into a world clouded with the ills of the Depression and the growing threat of Fascism. This book follows a woman who has conceived a child and ponders giving birth in a Fascist-ruled world where people are abused, imprisoned, and murdered.
- Lewis F. White printed Song Without Words (1936), with its controversial metaphors, directly from twenty-one woodblocks.
- Publisher: Random House
- Published: November 1936.
- designed by Lewis F. White, a member of Equinox (a cooperative founded by Ward and his wife).
- No Trade edition. Printed in a limited edition of 1,250 copies
- Numbered and signed by Ward
- Each image was pulled from the block and bound by hand.
- on Strathmore Japan paper
- 1/4 vellum with gold foil boards
- white slipcase with band of gold foil strip
- the slipcase also had a publisher’s wrap around band – see photo below
- [22] leaves of plates
- book 25.4 x 16.3; slip case 26.1 x 16.6 cm
- Bottom edge cut; fore edge uncut; top edge is a type of french fold(?) that was not opened
Publisher’s Wraparound paper Band
The book was issued with a wraparound paper band as below with a $3.00 issue price.
Printing recto
Each image is printed recto but the sheet is connected to a blank sheet behind as above (similar to a typical French Fold but the fold is at the top and not at the fore edge). The tops should not be opened.
Condition issues
Foil
The shiny foil on the slip case and on the cover is susceptible to scuff marks and scratches. I have not seen any pristine copies in this respect. Just gently pulling the book out of the slip case will still result in some wear.
End Papers
The hinges and often the areas around the paste down on the covers are typically (always?) toned. I assume it is a reaction to the glue used in the construction of the book.
The degree of toning varies from book to book as you can see from some of the examples below.
Toned Spine
One frequently finds the spines of books darkened or colours faded as a result of being on a bookshelf and light (sunshine) impacting the spines; less so with the covers as they are often shielded by other books on a book shelf.
To some extent light damage may apply to Songs w/o Words but I believe the same glue that results in toned hinges also has been detrimental to the spines. Note in the photos below, paying attention to the quarter vellum on the side. The splotchy darkening on the sides is not consistent with damage from sunlight.
