YEATS, Jack B. A Lament for Art O’Leary: Translated from the Irish by Frank O’Connor. With six illustrations in colour by Jack B. Yeats and coloured by Eileen Colum and Kathleen Banfield (LIMITED TO 130 COPIES ONLY)

Dublin: The Cuala Press, 1940. Limited edition. No. 40 of 130 copies. Folio. Quarter cream linen on blue boards. Minor wear to corners  of boards, ex libris with neat circular stamps. New matching endpapers. A very good copy. Extremely rare.
Miller 64. A magnificent production which is undoubtedly Cuala’s masterpiece and one of the finest Irish books of this or any century. The Yeats watercolour drawings perfectly match the wild abandon of the lament, and the hand-colouring is superb. Printed by Esther Ryan on Irish made paper, and set in Caslon type by Máire Gill, with illustrations coloured by Eileen Colum. The unusually small edition makes it exceptionally rare.

The Cuala Press: Ireland’s Iconic Literary & Artistic Printing House

Founded in 1908 in Churchtown, County Dublin, the Cuala Press stands as one of the most important Irish private presses of the twentieth century. Established by sisters Elizabeth (Lollie) Yeats and Lily Yeats, and closely associated with the Irish Literary Revival, the Press became a defining force in the Arts and Crafts movement in Ireland. From modest hand-press beginnings, Cuala produced finely printed limited editions that combined literature, typography, and illustration at the highest standard.

The Press is inseparable from the legacy of W. B. Yeats, whose poetry and plays were frequently issued in carefully designed editions. These volumes, often printed in small numbers, were notable for their craftsmanship: hand-set type, quality rag paper, and distinctive decorative borders. Cuala publications also featured woodcut illustrations by artists such as Jack B. Yeats and other leading figures of the Irish cultural revival.

Cuala Press books are highly sought after by collectors of Irish literature, modern first editions, and private press printing. Titles such as In the Seven Woods (1903, under the earlier Dun Emer imprint) and later Yeats first editions remain cornerstones of advanced collections. Because print runs were typically limited to a few hundred copies, survival rates are comparatively low, enhancing both rarity and market value.

Today, Cuala Press editions represent the intersection of Irish nationalism, fine printing, and literary modernism. Their restrained design, emphasis on hand craftsmanship, and commitment to Irish authors place them alongside the great private presses of Britain and Europe. For collectors and institutions alike, Cuala Press remains synonymous with quality, scarcity, and enduring cultural significance in the history of Irish publishing.

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