Glenview, IL: Karen Hanmer, 1999. Number 4 of 20 copies. Signed and numbered by the book artist. Karen's artist-made books are physical manifestations of personal essays intertwining history, culture, politics, science and technology. She utilizes both traditional and contemporary book structures, and the work is often playful in content or format. She exhibits widely, and her work is included in collections ranging from Tate Britain and the Library of Congress to UCLA and Graceland (from artist's statement). In this amusing book, Karen utilizes the flag book structure originated by Hedi Kyle to juxtapose and contrast two staples of western art history, "Mona Lisa" and "Waterloo," a poker dogs painting by Cassius Coolidge. Partial images of each work alternate as the flag images are turned. When the book is completely open the full poker dogs picture is seen. The images are reproduced with pigment inkjet prints. The book is 8 x 4.5 inches closed and 8 x 19 inches when open. Housed in archival storage case with Velcro closures. In fine condition. ARTISTSB/070618. Fine. More

Paris: 1937. Paperback. Number 158 of 500 copies, the first 200 of which were reserved for the writers of the book. This remarkable deluxe collection of writings and art about Paris was commissioned by the city of Paris to celebrate their hosting the World’s Fair of 1937. The volume includes original prose, poetry, and illustrations by the leading writers and artists of France. There are thirty-one sections on various quarters, neighborhoods, gardens, avenues and boulevards, each with a short piece written by an eminent writer and engravings by two notable artists. For each section there is a full-page illustration by an artist associated with the area and a smaller one on the first page of the section by the other artist. Among the writers are Paul Valery, Raymond Escholier, Colette, Paul Claudel, Abel Bonnard, and Jules Romains. The participating artists are equally impressive, and include Matisse, Andre Derain, Raoul Dufy, Marie Laurencin, Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Jean Laboureur, and Andre Lhote. Each section is a separate folder with the full-page illustration of the following section as its last page. The folders are encased in a paper wrapper with the title and a color illustration on its cover. The entire production is housed in a chemise of dark blue paper covered boards with a red leather spine label which fits into a blue paper and linen slipcase. The slipcase is in very good condition with a few chips and bumps. The contents are also in very good condition; however, pages 286-288 are missing. They included the full-page illustration by Gabriel Belot and Renefer for “Les Musees.” Page 277, the first page of “Les Eglises de Paris” has a repaired tear. Still, a splendid collection of French art and prose commemorating Paris on the eve of the Second World War. 294 pages plus table of illustrations. ART/012412. Very Good. More