Thucydides The History of the Peloponnesian War – Ashendene Press

Here’s a sublime edition of Thucydides’ The History of the Peloponnesian War by the Ashendene Press.

Inspired by the example of the Kelmscott Press, Charles Henry St John Hornby founded the Ashendene Press in 1894 to produce books in the renaissance style – which it did until 1935, with a brief interregnum during WWI.

Based in Chelsea they employed traditional printing methods (Their original blocks are highly sought after) and adapted 15th century typefaces to produce their own iconic fonts, with Subiaco becoming their trademark.

Appearing in 1930, Thucydides’ The History of the Peloponnesian War was one of their last publications. Using Benjamin Jowett’s painstakingly prepared 1881 translation, this volume is produced and bound in the traditional renaissance style: Simple, elegant vellum; raised bands with gilt titling upon the leather; red and black ink; and all the quality you’d expect of an elite small press.

Limited to a run of just 280 copies, it is somewhat scarce and expensive but as an example of a classic text bound by great craftsmen in an authentic and fetching renaissance style, it seems a worthwhile investment.

A History of the Pelopennesian War available at AbeBooks from £2500…