The Golden Key

The Golden Key by George MacDonald
with illustrations by Charles van Sandwyk
available from Pegana Press 2015

This is the latest book I've been binding for Pegana Press.  The Golden Key by George MacDonald with illustrations by Charles van Sandwyk.  This book has kept me really busy since early November.  It's a big enough responsibility to bind books for collectors who have pre-ordered the book sight unseen, but it's been an even bigger responsibility since our release coincides with the season when people are thinking about Christmas gifts, and some of our customers have ordered the book to give as gifts.  I can not help but be aware of what a great honor that is--that someone would trust us to help make their loved one's Christmas special. 

But I'm breathing a little easier now that I've filled almost all the preorders.  All of the books designated as gifts, should be shipped out in time to arrive before Christmas.

It really is a special book.  Typeset all by hand and letterpress printed on multicolored pages in Rose, Custard, Green, and Blue.  With 3 pen and ink illustrations and a hand signed watercolor frontispiece by Charles van Sandwyk.  Also each book is hand bound with cloth covered boards and inset letterpress title on the front of the book.

It is a wonderful fairy story and we wanted the book to reflect the tradition of books dating back 100 years.

You can see more images of the book at Pegana Press Books.

Here's a quote from The Golden Key

    ... And her great blue eyes looked down on the little Tangle, as if all the stars in the sky were melted in them to make their brightness.

     "Ah! but," said Tangle, "when people live long they grow old.  At least I always thought so."

     "I have not time to grow old," said the lady.  "I am too busy for that.  It is very idle to grow old..." 

Hmmm, I'll have to remember that.