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Charles Harry St. John Hornby A Chronological list, with Prices, of the Forty Books printed at the Ashendene Press. ASHENDENE PRESS., (1935.) Printed in red and black. "Printed for Private Circulation Only". Folio, 4 leaves, 8pp., held in the original blue printed wrappers ( soiled and partly faded, sewing treads loose ) with small wood engraving on the front cover, uncut . This is a specially produced reprint of pp.168-177 of the Ashendene Press Bibliography, preceded by a short list of Minor Pieces. An excellent copy. Finely printed on thick hand made paper, black with red title heading. A list of the 40 titles, with the size of each print run and the original prices in the various bindings offered. Preceded by a list of the 'minor pieces' printed for private circulation. Colophon says this was printed for private circulation in 1935. WITH CHARLES HORNBY’S SIGNED LETTER TO AN UNKNOWN CORRESPONDENT:[PROBABLY FREDERICK THORNTON, THE BOOKSELLER, arrived 22/1/'36 ] “ Dear Sirs, Before closing down my press I printed a list of my books…etc….etc… The third great English private press, the Ashendene, was conducted by C.H. St. John Hornby, a founding partner in the English booksellers W.H. Smith and Son. In 1900 Hornby met Emery Walker and Sydney Cockerell (Morris’ secretary at the Kelmscott Press), who encouraged and instructed him and helped in devising two types for his own use: Subiaco, based upon Sweynheim’s and Pannartz’ semiroman of the 1460s, and Ptolemy, based upon a late 15th-century German model. The Ashendene Press books, like those of Morris, were often illustrated with wood engravings, and many had coloured initials. Charles Harold St John Hornby (25 June 1867 – 1946) In 1892, Hornby was called to the bar, but his friend Freddy Smith (they had spent a year together in 1890–91 travelling the world) offered him a partnership in WH Smith, the family business. Hornby married Cicely Rachel Emily Barclay, the daughter of Charles Barclay, a director of the National Provincial Bank, and Charlotte Cassandra Cherry, on 19 January 1898. He was introduced to printing in the Printing Works of W. H. Smith & Son, where he was employed as a partner and later Managing Director. The experience inspired him to become an ‘amateur printer’ in his leisure hours, and he set up a small Albion Crown Press in the summer house of his father’s home, Ashendene, in Hertfordshire at the end of 1894. The press remained there until 1899 when it was moved to Shelley House, Chelsea following Hornby’s marriage. From humble beginnings, using borrowed type and employing only the help of his brother and sisters, Hornby learnt his craft ‘in the school of experience’ and went on to become an accomplished private printer. He had two typefaces – Subiaco and Ptolomy – designed specifically for his press, and always remained ‘hands-on’, never employing more than a single pressman and a single compositor at a time. The final work of the press – a magnificent bibliography issued in 1935 – listed 40 books, 12 minor pieces and 10 items of ephemera. Hornby began his printing career right at the end of William Morris and his Kelmscott Press' career. His lasted far longer. After an average start, Hornby's skills quickly progressed, and within a few years, he had earned the reputation that would put him very close to the top of private presses ever. He operated the press only with the help of family, and later a pressman. However, this is not terribly surprising, as he only published about a book a year (and various smaller items), and his press runs were often only double figures, sometimes low double figures, or maybe low triple digits. After 40 years, Hornby published a bibliography of his books, and bid his followers goodbye. Very scarce like this with Hornby’s letter £ 350 Thornton’s Bookshop Founded in Oxford in 1835 The Old Barn – Walnut Court Faringdon SN7 7JH United Kingdom Tel. 00 44 (0) 1367 240056 VAT number GB 194 4663 31 www.thorntonsbooks.co.uk member of the ABA since 1907 Also member of the ILAB Our books are listed on ABE and Antiqbook.com