London Nonesuch Press 1931, Homer: The Iliad and the Odyssey, translated by Alexander Pope

Luxury London edition, with engravings by Rudolf Koch and Fritz Kredel. Exlibris by W.H. Hughes. Set of two volumes in a uniform, luxurious leather binding in a shade of warm brown. Spines rounded, divided by convex ribbing, with gold embossed titles "The Odyssey Homer" and "The Iliad Homer with Pope's Trans.". Covers decorated with a delicate linear border done in gilt. The leather bears natural signs of use: minor rubbing, spot discoloration and patina characteristic of high-grade bindings of the first half of the 20th century.
Book blocks on handmade paper with uneven, hand-trimmed edges. Title pages printed in two colors (black and red), with clear, classicizing typography. Decorative figural vignettes depicting stylized antique scenes (an archer and a warrior) are present on the title pages. Inside, marbled paper covers in shades of brown, beige and black with an organic, wavy design. On the front pastedown of one of the volumes an affixed ex-libris "W.H. Hughes".
Handmade paper, letterpress printing, natural leather (binding), gilt embossing, marbled paper (liners)
Size: 27.5 x 16 cm
Condition as in the photo
The set on display is an example of one of the most sophisticated editorial endeavors of the London-based Nonesuch Press, active between the wars and specializing in bibliophilic editions of classics of world literature. The edition of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, translated by Alexander Pope, is one of the most highly regarded productions of this publishing house, combining high-quality printing with artistic graphic design.
The illustrations and vignettes designed by Rudolf Koch and Fritz Kredel refer to the aesthetics of antiquity in a modern, synthetic form, characteristic of the German school of book design of the first half of the 20th century. Their presence gives the publication a coherent, artistic character, harmoniously combining literary text with visual form.
Alexander Pope's translation, though created in the 18th century, was for a long time regarded as one of the most important English compilations of the Homeric epics, which adds to the importance of the present edition. As a whole - thanks to the use of high-quality materials, hand-finishing and limited edition - it represents an elite segment of the publishing production, intended for discerning collectors and lovers of book art.