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van Royen.Over Boekkunst en de Zilverdistel,1916

44pp., one of 125 copies (actually 70) on Batchelor handmade paper, printed in red, blue and black in Zilvertype by van Royen, initial in red and printer's device designed by S.H. de Roos, light spotting to a few leaves, original limp vellum with printer's device in gilt on upper cover, spine titled in gilt, uncut, modern cloth slip-case, 8vo, 190 x 140mm., The Hague, De Zilverdistel, 1916.

***The 'apologia' for the art of the book and the aspirations of De Zilverdistel. The introduction of de Roos' freshly created Zilvertype and printer's mark sets it apart from all previous titles. The length to which van Royen had gone to control every stage of the production process resulted in an unequalled typographic jewel, the best book of the press to date. Over Boekkunst argues that it is the unity of the spiritual and the material, content and form, that raises the book to the level of art. The author acknowledges that its costliness puts it beyond the reach of a larger public but seeks comfort in the fact that the same applies to English private press books notwithstanding their publishers' professed Socialism. De Zilverdistel proposed old and new, domestic and foreign literature of uncontested quality. The means by which the press was to distinguish itself was that of pure typography. A well-designed fount and a properly spaced block of text obviated graphic embellishment. By commissioning its own founts the press established its identity and uniqueness. The author places great importance on the proper distribution of type on a page and margins improving readability. He compares pauses and interruptions with rhythm and timing in music. Superior handmade paper is an imperative and van Royen regrets the limitations, at that time, of Dutch paper mills that forced him to settle for Batchelor paper from England..

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