May 2011 : Eric Gill's 'Procreant Hymn'

Gerrish Fine Art and Wolseley Fine Arts announces a new edition of prints from Eric Gill's original copper engravings for Procreant Hymn.

Procreant Hymn by E Powys Mathers was originally published by The Golden Cockerel Press in 1926 with five copper engravings 'God Sending' (P359), 'Earth Waiting' (P360),' Earth Inviting' P(361), 'Dalliance' (P362) and 'Earth Receiving' (P363) in an edition of 175. In addition 25 copies were provided with an extra suite of 4 alternative designs of a more erotic nature entitled 'God Sending' (P364), 'Earth Inviting' (P365), 'Earth Wrestling' (P366) and 'Earth Receiving' (P367).

In addition to the impressions printed for the edition Gill issued a signed and numbered edition of 15 impressions of the ordinary engravings (P359 - P363) and 25 of the alternative designs (P365 - P367). Douglas Cleverdon used 'Earth Waiting' (P360) as one of the plates in The Engravings of Eric Gill published in 1929 in an edition of 490.

The new edition is limited to 50 sets and has been printed by Martyn Grimmer, master printer at Spike Print, Bristol on Somerset 300 gsm Soft White paper.

Eric Gill subsequently made an additional engraving Yahoo (P411) on the reverse of Earth Inviting (P360) which was not editioned and only a few impressions are known. Martyn Grimmer has now made the first edition of this engraving in an edition of 50 impressions.

Ordinary designs

God Sending P359, 11.1 x 8.6 cm, £300
Earth Waiting P360, 11.1 x 8.6 cm, £300
Earth Inviting P361, 11.1 x 8.6 cm, £325
Dalliance P362, 11.1 x 8.6 cm, £325
Earth Receiving P363, 11.1 x 8.6 cm, £300

Alternative designs

God Sending P364, 11.1 x 8.7 cm, £400
Earth Inviting P365, 12.1 x 8.6 cm, £475
Earth Wrestling P366, 12.1 x 5.5 cm, £350
Earth Receiving P367, 12.1 x 8.6 cm, £475

Yahoo P411, 11.1 x 8.6 cm £ 475

All ten prints can be ordered at the special price of £3,100, a reduction of £625