RUYLE, John (1934-2008). A complete set of the “Turlock Loams” Sherlock Holmes parodies, poetry, and 80 issues of “The Tantalus” (entire run). Berkeley: Pequod Press, [1980s-2000s].
173 publications plus assorted bookmarks, 12mos and 8vos. Publisher’s various decorative bindings, some in cloth, others in original wrappers. All books are hand-set, printed letter press, and hand-bound FIRST EDITIONS, IN LIMITATIONS OF ABOUT 50 TO 250 COPIES, MOST INSCRIBED OR SIGNED.
A superb and highly sought-after collection of parodies. “Using a Chandler & Price letter-set printing press from the old Essanay Studios in Niles, California where it was once used for printing tickets and as an occasional prop in Charlie Chaplin or Broncho Billy Anderson film, John Ruyle had been delighting readers for thirty years with a most singular collection of hand-printed and hand-bound books. His canonical parodies, ‘Turlock Loams Adventures’ and his collections of Sherlockian verse continue to be highly regarded and seriously sought-after by Sherlockian and non-Sherlockian collectors alike.” (From the description).
THE ONLY KNOWN COMPLETE SET IN PRIVATE HANDS, the other two complete sets are in institutions. Some titles include: Adventure of the Jogging Man, Adventure of the Frail Codger, Adventure of the Mysterious Fudge, Five Buffalo Chips, Last Tonga in London, and many more.