Long Beach, CA: The Seahorse Press, 1963.
Miniature Book.2 1/8 x 1 3/4 inches.[ii], 32, [2] pp.Half-title, title page with seahorse device in blue, initial letter "I" printed in brown ink, seahorse and ship decoration on page 19 in blue, seahorse device in brown ink on colophon; text clean, unmarked, paper lightly toned. Full dark-brown leather, front cover ruled in gilt, red leather spine label titled in gilt; binding square and tight, minor shelf wear.SCARCE. KG71414-3. Very Good.
LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies set and printed by William M. Cheney and bound by Bela Blau for the Seahorse Press.John Friend's story begins in 1917 when he became a seaman in the United States Navy.After the war, Friend went to work for book shops in Los Angeles, including Dawson's Book Shop. Friend traveled to London for Dawson's where he conducted business for Dawson's with Marks and Company. Friend also did business on his own account in Berlin and New York. This text contains Friend's cogent observations about the book dealers with whom he worked.By the end of the text, Friend becomes a bookseller in his own right.
This book is listed as Bradbury, Dawson No. 8, but this designation is confusing to me. The book itself contains no Dawson imprint; the text mentions that Friend worked at Dawson's Book Shop, but does not have any reference to Dawson's involvement in its publication; William M. Cheney is noted as the printer.Perhaps Bradbury should be amended to include a new publisher (there is no entry for the Seahorse Press)? Bradbury notes Friend's first name was Jack, but that was Friend's nickname; Friend's first name was John, not Jack.
REFERENCES: Bradbury, 20th-Cent. U.S. Miniature Books, No. 1144; Jones, A Los Angeles Typesticker, No. 56.
Title: Captain Jack: Being the Reminiscences of a Sea-Going Bookseller
Edition: LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies
Created: 1963
Country of Origin: United States
Location Published: Long Beach, CA, The Seahorse Press: 1963
Binding: Full dark-brown leather, front cover ruled in gilt
Book Condition: Very Good
Jacket Condition: None, as issued
Size: Miniature Book.2 1/8 x 1 3/4 inches
Type: Miniature Book
Categories: Miniature Book, Fine Press, William M Cheney
Seller ID: KG71414-3
Keywords: bela blau, bookseller memoir, captain jack being the reminiscences of a sea-going bookseller, dawson's book shop, john friend, miniature book, seahorse press, william m cheney