Here we have another clandestine puzzle to solve, but also a few clues, to possibly assist us, this book is a delightful little item, printed on good quality paper and with very nice decorative chapter headings consisting of decorative printers devices, which I have enlarged for use in the listing and possibly others. The most interesting image for me however is the small emblem shown below which is identical to that from the title page of my recently listed “Father Silas”. My curiosity made me raise the question with Pat Kearney, about what could be inferred from the same printers device on the two titles, and his response confirmed that it was likely to confirm that it was the same printer, if not the same publisher.

Pat goes on to say.
“Forgotten if you have Mendes, but he describes “Weekend Visit” at entry
no. 211, indicating that the pagination ends at p. 166 and that it has blue
wrappers with the title on the front printed within an ornamental device
and with a device with cupid’s wings on top. He says that textually the book
seems to be written by the same author as “The Way of a Man with a Maid”
and the translation of “Parisian Frolics”. He makes no suggestion as to who
published it, but feels it was printed between 1920-1924. “

Following this line of investigation, and very much aware that I am making assumptions, I had chanced, identifying “Father Silas” as a 1930 edition possibly published by Hirsch, and because of the format possibly printed by Maurice Duflou.

One way that clandestine publishers are tracked down is often by discovering the clues that give away who the printer was, and what decorative devices they were using sometimes on both clandestine and openly published titles, this can lead to at least an indication of when the book was produced. In this instance all we have thus far is the same small quite crude printers device in two different titles, not conclusive , but at least enough for us to speculate that it might well be the same printer, but is it Duflou?

Fortunately for us, and I emphasise us, the complex decorative designs in “A Week-End Visit”, give us the opportunity to look for these designs in other books of the period, so enough talking and time for you to get looking.

A Week-End Visit,

by the Author of – “The Way of a Man With a Maid”, “Parisian Frolics”, etc.. LONDON (ND) (1920-1924)

Description: In original thin blue paper covers, with a decorative emblem of a winged cherub, framing the title in a flamboyant box (Printed in Blue).

Contents: Two blank endpapers, half title, verso blank, Title Page, verso blank, Pages 7 to 166, two blank endpapers.

The Chapter Headings, interspersed with exploded printers decorations

I have another copy of this title, which I think is a 1950’s facsimile, with a white cover title in black (no decoration)the half title on the verso of the front sheet, and the title page lacking the “By the Author of ” details, otherwise identical with all the decorations, but on very cheap paper.

I almost forgot to say this title is available for trade against my Paris Olympia Press wants.

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LINK: The Life and Adventures of Father Silas