[Caliban Press] Shakespeare, William

The Tempest

Canton, NY: Caliban Press, 2001. 95 of 125 copies. The Tempest is generally thought to be Shakespeare's last play and is now considered one of his greatest. This beautiful edition was designed, printed, and bound by Mark McMurray at his Caliban Press, which was established by him in 1985. An announcement for the book states that this edition was inspired by a variety of sources, including the First Folio, the Bread & Puppet Theater of Vermont, John Coltrane's Ole, the film Black Orpheus, and Prospero's library. The text is taken chiefly from the First Folio edition of Shakespeare's works published in 1623. Except for the eight songs, the spelling has been modernized. The book is bound in handmade lavender paper covers with a purple morocco spine. A circle has been cut into the front cover and the title is printed underneath on light green paper. The book is printed using seven handmade and mould made papers from several different makers of handmade paper. The type is 14 point Dante, a type that was designed by Giovanni Marderstaag and first released in 1954. There are striking images found within this edition taken from a variety of found and historical sources including relief prints, collage, pochoir, and a volvelle. There is also a linocut by wood engraver Greg Lago. The book is housed in a handmade blue paper portfolio. The spine has a white title label, and the front cover has an image also used in the text. 119 pages. PRI/121010.