The Birds and Beasts of Shakespeare
[Easthampton, MA]: Cheloniidae Press, 1990. Hardcover. Number 221 of 100 (xxi/c) copies in the deluxe edition, signed and numbered by illustrator and book designer Alan James Robinson. There were also 26 copies bound in quarter leather. This magnificent book was undertaken by the press as a celebration of its tenth anniversary. It is one of the great achievements of Robinson's Cheloniidae Press, one of the most respected American private presses. Founded in 1979, the press went through several incarnations during its existence. The constant throughout was the artistry of Alan James Robinson, who became famed for his superlative wood engravings and etchings of animals, birds, the sea, and more. The original text for this edition was written by Arthur F. Kinney, who was then the Thomas W. Copland Professor of Literary History at the University of Massachusetts and an extensive publisher and lecturer on Shakespeare. From the prospectus: this book "focuses on popular bird and animal lore and the way Shakespeare turns it into lines of haunting and indelible beauty by describing the familiar and unfamiliar ideas about [many creatures] and by showing how Shakespeare used these [ideas] to shape character and plot in his plays....Shakespeare's imaginative use of observed detail and magical fantasies is matched by the intricate and mysterious wood engravings of Robinson." Beautifully bound by noted binders Claudia Cohen and Sarah Creighton in full rust morocco with the title stamped in gilt on the front panel within a blind rule at the outer edge of the covers, raised bands, and leather hinges. Illustrated with 54 wood engravings depicting the birds and beasts found in Shakespeare's plays and poems, plus two portraits of the Bard: one etching and one wood engraving. The book is accompanied by an additional suite of 56 signed and numbered prints from the illustrations. There is also an original watercolor of a Barnacle goose that is not known or called for in the prospectus. They are housed in a linen covered portfolio. The prospectus is also included. There are beautiful hand marbled endpapers by Faith Robinson. The book was printed on special Cheloniidae Rag paper carrying the press watermark that is the exact size of the First Folio of 1623. The type is Centaur and Arrighi set by M&H Type in San Francisco with additional hand composition by Arthur Larson. The book was letter press printed by master printer Harold Patrick McGrath. Housed in a custom clamshell box in near fine condition covered with beige linen with a brown leather spine label. The book is In fine condition. Book is 10.5 x 16 inches. Box is 11 x 17 inches. iv + 87 single fold pages. PRI/102423. Fine. More