Hand-lettered

Upson, Arthur (1877–1908) ; Heisser, Margarethe [Illustrator]

Octaves in an Oxford Garden [Birch Bark Binding] [Arts & Crafts]

Minneapolis: Edward D. Brooks, 1922.

A hauntingly beautiful specimen of the American Arts and Crafts movement, bound in original shaved birch bark.

This volume represents the pinnacle of the Minneapolis 'Fine Press' era, featuring intricate hand-lettered pages by Margarethe Heisser. The work is a deeply melancholic poetic cycle inspired by the gardens of Oxford, written by Upson—a tragic figure of Minnesota letters—under the patronage of the renowned bookseller Edward Brooks.

KEY FEATURES:
+++ Visuals: Entirely hand-lettered and decorated by Margarethe Heisser; each page is a standalone work of graphic art in the tradition of William Morris and the Kelmscott Press. 
+++ Binding: Unique boards covered in original shaved birch bark with a printed paper spine label. 
+++ Content: A sequence of 'octaves' (eight-line stanzas) reflecting on the transience of beauty and the academic serenity of Oxford. 
+++ Imprint: Produced by Hahn & Harmon for Edward D. Brooks, Minneapolis. Limited to only 350 copies on handmade watermarked paper.
+++ Specs: Quarto (10.5 inches tall); unpaginated; deckle-edged.

CONDITION: Very Good. The Book: Bindings are tight and square. The fragile birch bark covers are remarkably well-preserved, showing only light rubbing at the corners and minor fraying at the spine ends and edges. The paper label on the spine is intact. Internally, the text block is pristine, clean, and bright with light, even toning. A superior example of a notoriously delicate binding.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Regional Significance: Officially designated as one of the 150 Best Minnesota Books, this volume is a cornerstone for any collection focusing on Upper Midwest literary history. 
+++ Artistic Collaboration: The synergy between Upson’s verse and Heisser’s Arts and Crafts lettering creates a 'total work of art,' where the visual rhythm of the page mirrors the poetic meter. 
+++ The Upson Tragedy: Arthur Upson was a rising star in the American poetic firmament before his untimely death by drowning in Lake Bemidji at age 31—an event that has cast a long, romantic shadow over his published works.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
At the turn of the 20th century, Minneapolis was a burgeoning hub for bibliophiles, largely due to the influence of Edward D. Brooks. This 1922 edition of Octaves—though published posthumously—serves as a memorial to the Upson-Brooks friendship.

The choice of birch bark for the binding is not merely decorative; it is a tactile reference to the Northwoods landscape where Upson lived and died. It bridges the gap between the refined English tradition of Oxford and the raw, naturalistic aesthetic of the American Midwest. To find a copy with the birch bark still supple and the spine ends largely intact is a rarity for the collector.

SUBJECTS: Arthur Upson, Minnesota Literature, Arts and Crafts Movement, Edward D. Brooks, Margarethe Heisser, Fine Press Printing, Oxford in Poetry, Birch Bark Bindings, Poetry, Limited Edition, American Fine Press, Arts & Crafts.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: 150 Best Minnesota Books [MN Historical Society].

Item #21692

Price: $225.00