Berlin: Gebr. Mann Verlag, 1973, 1975, 1980. Hardcover. Three volumes in four. This is a monumental and comprehensive German reference work on the posters produced in Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Volume I covers Great Britain and the United States; Volume II covers France and Belgium; Volume III with text and Volume IV with plates cover Germany. Multiple authors and scholars have cataloged and described thousands of posters, accompanied by black and white and color reproductions of each. Bound in gray cloth with paper title labels to spines and front covers. All volumes are in brightly colored dust jackets with titles to spines and covers. All but Volume I are housed in simple cardboard slipcases. In very good to near fine condition. Volume I: 227 pages; Volume II: 421 pages; Volume III: 506 pages: Volume IV: 363 pages. Heavy set requiring extra postage. ART/080122. Near Fine / Very Good. More

Washington DC: Abstract Orange, 2019. Number 8 of 36 copies signed and numbered by the book artist. The book was published on May 31, 2019 in celebration of Walt Whitman's 200th birthday. The book artist writes: "The book explores ideas central to Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass including transcendentalism, or the inherent goodness of nature, and realism, depicting familiar things as they are. It captures both the complexity and simplicity of nature by juxtaposing dimensional paper grass texture and a quote about nature and wonder. The book is not a reprinting of all of Whitman’s words, but an art object that encapsulates the feeling of Whitman." Her evocative work is done as a box that opens like a traditional book. The inside front cover and back cover are covered with cream paper that includes quotes from Whitman along with his image. Inside of the box/book are several spiky rows of grass leaves crafted from green paper. The box is covered with green paper with the title, author and press name in a lighter shade of green. In fine condition. Measures 5.25 x 7.25 inches. ARTISTB/091123. Fine. More

Philadelphia: 1870. This well-known lithograph is from the work Birds of America by John James Audubon, which has been printed in many editions. This print is from the 7th printing conducted by Audubon and Roe Lockwood in 1870-1871. Lockwood’s involvement has led this edition to commonly be known as the Lockwood edition. Other than the colored backgrounds, which were added to the post-first editions, the main images on these prints are, for the most part, identical to those of the First edition and feature hand coloring. J.T. Bowen was lithographer for the work, which was published in Philadelphia. These are some of the best examples of hand-colored work in America and are highly collectible. They are on fine heavy stock paper measuring 6 7/8 x 10 ½ inches. Double matted in wood frame. #43659. Fine. More

Mission, B.C. Barbarian Press, 2023. Hardcover. One of 108 copies for sale. An additional 20 were hors commerce. This marvelous book is the 52nd book from the Barbarian Press. Its founders Crispin and Jan Elsted write: "We conceived this book as a celebration of our 50 years of marriage and our 45 years as Barbarians. It comprises fifty of our favourite love poems, reaching back to classical Greece and the Old Testament, and forward through the late Middle Ages, the renaissance, and the 18th and 19th centuries to the present day, by twenty-eight poets ranging from the writer(s) of The Song of Songs which is Solomon’s to lyrics by Sappho, to Chaucer, Spenser and Donne, Marvell, Clare, Christina Rossetti, Tennyson and Yeats, to contemporaries Jan Zwicky and Heather Simeney MacLeod, among many others – not forgetting the ubiquitous Anonymous, who contributes five. Eight of Shakespeare’s sonnets form a thematic spine throughout the book. We invited seven engravers who have illustrated our books over the years and have become part of our lives as friends and collaborators to contribute engravings to accompany poems of their choice: Richard Wagener engraved a stunning frontispiece block, while Abigail Rorer, Andy English, Simon Brett, Peter Lazarov, Walter Bachinski, and Graham Williams chose to illustrate poems that range from the Middle English to the contemporary. The type we have chosen for the book is Pastonchi, in its inaugural use here at the press – a graceful, elegant, but little-known face issued by Monotype in 1929, designed by the Italian poet Francesco Pastonchi with the typographer Eduardo Cotti to be used to print an edition of the Italian classics. We are fond of the face. Although it has never been widely used (especially in North America), and has occasionally been criticized by those who fail to respond to its openheartedness, we feel it is ideally suited to poetry, and are delighted to add it to our range of typefaces." The book was designed by Crispin Elsted, who also designed the patterned paper for the binding. Jan Elsted printed the text and the engravings. Apollonia Elsted printed many of the title lines and the cover papers. Bound in half crimson morocco with paper covers at The Mad Hatter Bookbinding Company. Printed on Zerkall ENR White Smooth paper. Each copy is housed in a crimson cloth slipcase with a portfolio containing a suite of seven proofs of the engravings used for the book. In fine condition. Measures 7.25 inches x 10.5 inches. 88 numbered pages + 8 unnumbered pages. PRI/091423. Fine. More

University Park, TX: Bridwell Library, Southern Methodist University, 1983. Hardcover. One of 275 copies (250 for sale) printed for the Bridwell Library by the famed Bird & Bull Press. An inscription in ink on the colophon states that this copy is "one of two printer's copies in a trial binding that was not used for the edition." This interesting book explores the famous feud between C.H. Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker over the ownership of the type of the renowned Doves Press. It offers a new perspective through the discovery by Michael Hornby, son of St John Hornby, of previously unknown correspondence between Cobden-Sanderson and St John Hornby, Sidney Cockerell, and Walker. The letters, mostly dated from 1906 to 1908, shed new light upon the controversy and provide fresh insight into the intensity of Cobden-Sanderson's preoccupation with the type. The unsigned inscription on the colophon was possibly written by Henry Morris, founder of the Bird & Bull Press. Morris founded his press in 1958 and continued to print their highly regarded letterpress books until his retirement in 2014. From Princeton University “…Morris’s publishing program has been a boon to the historian of the book. He is correct when he writes, ‘It pleases me to know that without the Bird & Bull, many books on worthwhile, albeit esoteric subjects would probably never have been published.’ And all these works have been printed by letterpress from metal type on either Henry’s own handmade or on imported mould-made papers.” The inscription is written to Abe Lerner and Kit Currie "on the occasion of their visit here on Oct. 8/1983." Abe Lerner and his wife, Kit Currie, were both important figures in the world of books in the twentieth century. Abe Lerner (1908-2002) was a highly respected and talented typographer/book designer with links to the likes of the great Bruce Rogers. With a meticulous eye for detail and clean design, he was constantly working on new projects. With a career that landed him as the Director of Design and Production at Macmillan, President of the Typophiles, and lecturer at the Grolier Club in New York, Abe Lerner was certainly one of the finest typographic designers of the 20th century. Kit Currie began her career in the antiquarian book trade as the personal assistant for London bookdealer Bertram Rota. She moved to California in 1964 and began working at Dawson’s Book Shop in Los Angeles, where she stayed for 14 years. She moved to New York City in 1977 with her husband, noted typographer and graphic designer Abe Lerner. Unable to find work initially, Currie ventured to start her own bookselling business, and issued her first and only catalog in the winter of 1977-1978. Soon afterward, however, she was offered a position with H. P. Kraus. Bound in brown paper covered boards with brown cloth spine. Title debossed in blind to front cover. Minimal wear to corners. Text pages are clean and bright. Printed in Centaur types on Bugra Bütten paper. Folded prospectus is inserted. In fine condition. Octavo. 31 pages. PRI/102423. Fine. More

London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1878. Hardcover. First Edition. Lady Anna Brassey (1839 - 1887) recorded several of the celebrated voyages that she and her family made together around the world on their yacht, “The Sunbeam.” This was the first of the several volumes she published about their travels. It was a huge bestseller, running into many editions and translations. It provides a lively and detailed account of their journey around the world in 1876-77. In addition to vividly describing their journey, the book describes life aboard her yacht, which carried over forty people, including the family, the crew, friends, and a complete domestic staff. An uncommon book to find in the original cloth, it is bound in dark grey cloth with gilt title and author to spine and front cover, and gilt illustrations to front and back. Cloth is chipped and faded but still quite attractive. Some soiling to preliminary pages and tear to front map but otherwise in very good condition. With two fold-outs and 118 wood engraved illustrations after drawings by the Hon. A.Y. Bingham. With ownership signature of George R. Clayton. 504 pages. TRA/081715. Very Good. More

Relay, MD: Calvert Distilling Company, 1940, 1941,1942. Softcover. A rare internally published bulletin from this former Maryland distillery. The Calvert Distilling Co. bought the Maryland Distillery in 1934. The Maryland Distillery was established in 1933 as the first legal whiskey still in Maryland after the repeal of prohibition. This publication was intended as a manual for the distillery's tour guides. It is a dense and lengthy document covering all aspects of the distillery's operations. There are many charts, tables, and diagrams on blending, flavoring and concentrations. There are also sections on government regulations, cleanliness and sanitation, and more. Calvert's Distilling was later taken over by Seagram's in 1939 and they continued producing Calvert Whiskey at this location. This publication was produced by mimeograph and has several sections individually paginated, including addenda dated 1941 and 1942. The entire publication has more than 100 pages. In a softcover report cover that is quite soiled, stained, and creased. Internal pages are very good although some of the print is light. With distillery's library stamp on first page. Very Good. More

n.p. De Francony, 1987. Hardcover. One of 3000 copies, signed by Cassigneul. A catalogue raisonné of Cassigneul's lithographs that were produced between 1965-1985. Descriptions are in French, English, and Japanese. The first volume contains all the prints created from 1965 until 1977, while the second volume includes those from 1978 to 1985. Each volume has two original lithographs bound in, one full page and one double page. There are 343 prints reproduced, of which there are 179 in volume one and 164 in volume two. Jean-Pierre Cassigneul (1935-) is a French artist known for his striking compositions of women in hats that recall the French Post-Impressionist avant-garde, including the works of Pierre Bonnard and Edouard Vuillard. A lovely set that showcases Cassigneul's style and use of color in his art. Bound in red cloth with gilt title to spine and facsimile signature to front cover. In pictorial dust jacket with red spine and white title. Housed in a white cardboard slipcase. Books are in near fine condition. Slipcase has wear and light marks. Measures 9.5 x 12.75 inches. Volume I: 136 pages; Volume II: 136 pages. ART/072822. Near Fine. More

Mermod, 1929. Paperback. First edition. A scarce work by Swiss author and musician Charles-Albert Cingria (1883 - 1854). Number 90 of 300 copies on Velin pur fil du Marais. Near fine in brown paper wrappers with black title to front cover. Light wear to corners, else fine. Pristine interior. Includes photographic frontispiece of the author in his car. 26 pages. In French. FRE/121013. Near Fine. More

New York: Béatrice Coron, 2014. Number 4 of 4 copies. An accordion book hand cut on Tyvek and mounted on translucent white paper, which tells the story of Daphnis and Chloe, two children of noble birth that are abandoned by their parents, fall in love, are separated, and survive many hardships before being reunited for a happy ending of love and marriage. The story begins in Winter and ends in Spring. It can be displayed in a circular fashion so that the story and seasons repeat. Housed in a fuchsia cloth covered folding case with a paper square label mounted to the interior. A transcript of the text which is handwritten along the bottom edges of the pages of the book is printed along the four sides of the square label. Handcut on Tyvek. [8 pages.] Size: 55 x 5.5 inches.  French born Béatrice Coron is a renowned artist whose work includes book arts, fine art, and public art. Her work can be found in major museum collections, libraries, as well as private collections. Her books are fascinating creations made through cutting images in paper or Tyvek. Christina Favretto, Head of Special Collections at the University of Miami describes her work in Coron's "artfragments" portfolio: "There is a palpable joy in the work of Béatrice Coron, the kind of joy we felt as children in unwrapping a particularly enticing holiday gift. But...for Béatrice the gift is a sheet of Tyvek...or paper, and the stories to be unearthed and unleashed within and through the medium." Coron describes her book work: "For the last 20 years, I have been exploring visual storytelling in artist books, paper cutting and public art. Collecting memories from individuals and communities, I stage narrative allegories in silhouette to create a dialogue with the viewer in playful fantasies. These visual chronicles record archetypal stories that transcend time and space. I have been fascinated by the relation of people to their space and the sense of belonging. Using papercutting where everything is cut from a single piece of Tyvek, the profusion of individual stories makes a coherent whole world." [From her website]. ARTB/102723. Fine. More

New York: Béatrice Coron, 2014. 4 of 6 copies. A delightful papercut book about falling through the holes of one's memory and having memory lapses. It features several popular scenes from Alice in Wonderland including the Mad Hatter's tea party, the caterpillar, and rabbit holding his pocket watch. It also includes other symbolic memory related scenes with elephants, people falling down "memory" holes, finding other connections, and digging themselves out. Handcut on black Arches paper. Housed in a black papercovered folding case with a decorative pattern of silver dots. The title with edition number and artist are printed in a circle mounted on the interior of the rear panel of the case. Four panels. Size: 29 x 7.5 inches (open); case: 8 x 7.5 inches. French born Béatrice Coron is a renowned artist whose work includes book arts, fine art, and public art. Her work can be found in major museum collections, libraries, as well as private collections. Her books are fascinating creations made through cutting images in paper or Tyvek. Christina Favretto, Head of Special Collections at the University of Miami describes her work in Coron's "artfragments" portfolio: "There is a palpable joy in the work of Béatrice Coron, the kind of joy we felt as children in unwrapping a particularly enticing holiday gift. But...for Béatrice the gift is a sheet of Tyvek...or paper, and the stories to be unearthed and unleashed within and through the medium." Coron describes her book work: "For the last 20 years, I have been exploring visual storytelling in artist books, paper cutting and public art. Collecting memories from individuals and communities, I stage narrative allegories in silhouette to create a dialogue with the viewer in playful fantasies. These visual chronicles record archetypal stories that transcend time and space. I have been fascinated by the relation of people to their space and the sense of belonging. Using papercutting where everything is cut from a single piece of Tyvek, the profusion of individual stories makes a coherent whole world." [From her website]. ARTB/102723. Fine. More

New York: Béatrice Coron, 2022-2023. Number 3 of 6 copies. French born Béatrice Coron is a renowned artist whose work includes book arts, fine art, and public art. Her work can be found in major museum collections, libraries, as well as private collections. Her books are fascinating creations made through cutting images in paper or Tyvek. Cristina Favretto, Head of Special Collections at the University of Miami describes her creations in Coron's "artfragments" portfolio: "There is a palpable joy in the work of Béatrice Coron, the kind of joy we felt as children in unwrapping a particularly enticing holiday gift. But...for Béatrice the gift is a sheet of Tyvek...or paper, and the stories to be unearthed and unleashed within and through the medium." Coron describes her book work: "For the last 20 years, I have been exploring visual storytelling in artist books, paper cutting and public art. Collecting memories from individuals and communities, I stage narrative allegories in silhouette to create a dialogue with the viewer in playful fantasies. These visual chronicles record archetypal stories that transcend time and space. I have been fascinated by the relation of people to their space and the sense of belonging. Using papercutting where everything is cut from a single piece of Tyvek, the profusion of individual stories makes a coherent whole world." [From her website] This book was inspired by "The Conference of the Birds," a Persian poem of 1177 by Sufi poet Farid ud-din Attar. Ab mid bin Ab Bakr Ibr h m (c. 1145 – c. 1221; Persian,is better known by his pen-names Far d ud-D n and A r of Nishapur (Attar means apothecary), was an Iranian poet, theoretician of Sufism, and hagiographer from Nishapur who had an immense and lasting influence on Persian poetry and Sufism. He wrote a collection of lyrical poems and number of long poems in the philosophical tradition of Islamic mysticism, as well as a prose work with biographies and sayings of famous Muslim mystics. The Conference of the Birds, The Book of Divine, and Memorial of the Saints are among his best known works [Wikipedia]. Coron states that the papercuts created for this book display the journey of life through the seven valleys. While keeping the symbolism of the epic poem, the images also represent the environmental and conflictual challenges of today. Her marvelous papercuts were done with dark blue hand-cut Lokta paper, backed in white paper to showcase the papercut images. Each panel has a word: Start, Believe, Explore, Forget, Merge, Trust, and Fuse that reflect the meaning of the images. The book has an accordion structure that allows either to be opened like a codex or to be unfolded to show all of the panels at once. The book is housed loosely in a green leather folder with the images of a bird and the artist's name made in tin affixed to the cover. The book in turn is housed in a bright yellow leather clamshell box with tin images of birds and a title label affixed to the cover. The edges of the box are covered in decorated tin. Each box binding in the edition is unique. Noted bookbinder Monique Lallier made the bindings for both the book and box. A striking production in fine condition. The book measures 7 x 6.5 inches when closed and 7 x 49 inches when opened. ARTB/090523. More

Gainesville, FL: Crooked Letter Press, 2014-2015. Hardcover. Number 35 of 50 copies signed and numbered by the book artist. Crooked Letter Press is the imprint of book artist and graphic designer, Ellen Knudson. Ellen is currently Associate in Book Arts at The University of Florida. She holds an MFA in Book Arts from The University of Alabama. Ellen has been a book artist for 17 years and a professional graphic designer for 20+ years . She has taught letterpress printing and Book Arts at The University of Florida, The University of Alabama, and graphic design at Mississippi State University and Wayne State University. Her work is in the collections of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yale University, The Library of Congress, and many other national and international collections. Ellen Knudson describes her perceptive and imaginative book as composed of mysterious structures, imagined genomes, and fictitious chemistry - that are "ALL TRUE." She explains that Made Up is a non-scientific science book about the imaginary cellular composition of the human body. The artist, who wrote, designed, and letterpress printed this work has identified both positive and negative human attributes such as anger, curiosity, fear, joy, knowledge, and trust among others. She has then created colorful replicas of the cells that host these attributes to show their composition and their effects on the host body. There is also an often witty description of each type of cell, its qualities, and its effect on other cells. Bound in brown paper covered boards with a cell-like design and a tan linen spine. Titling in gilt to spine. Bright yellow endpapers. The book is printed on Mohawk Superfine 100# text weight paper. The typefaces used are Spectrum and Franklin Gothic Condensed printed from photopolymer plates. The cell images are multi-block and reduction linoleum prints. The structure is a drum-leaf binding. It is housed in a brown cloth clamshell box with an opening cut into the front cover that reveals part of a cell's image. In fine condition. Measures 6 x 12 inches. Unpaginated. PRI/030923. Fine. More