[Barbarian Press] Bringhurst, Robert, poet; Richard Wagener, illustrations
Mission, B.C. Barbarian Press, 2022. Paperback. One of 125 copies, this being one of the 55 standard copies. This is the 51st book issued by the very fine Barbarian Press that Crispin and Jan Elsted founded in 1977. The book beautifully exemplifies their philosophy in the creation of books and the fine craftsmanship they bring to each. They write about this book on their website: "Robert Bringhurst is widely known as a typographer and designer of books. The Elements of Typographic Style, originally published in 1992, has become a bible to most serious typographers, printers and designers. It has appeared in five subsequent revised editions and has been translated into more than a dozen languages. He has also published several collections of essays and talks (or ‘pieces of thinking’, as he calls them) on language, cultural history, poetry, the relations between humanity and the natural world, and many other subjects, all of which are profoundly interesting and endlessly stimulating. He has translated some epic poems from Haida, and the complete writings of Parmenides from classical Greek. But first, and continuing throughout all his other work, he is one of Canada’s leading poets.... In Ten Poems with One Title, Richard Wagener’s passionate, forceful two-colour abstract engravings, reminiscent of the work of such Abstract Expressionists as Robert Motherwell and Franz Kline, meld with Bringhurst’s contemplative, elegant poems, each at once counterpointing and reflecting the character of the other. The relationship is profound and moving."
Bound in gray and black paper covers with a black linen spine. The text was hand-set in Walbaum on Zerkall Smooth White Wove paper by Apollonia Elsted after designs by Crispin Elsted in consultation with Jan Elsted. The engravings by Richard Wagener were printed at his studio in California and sent to the press in sheets. The binding was bound by Alanna Simensen at The Mad Hatter Bookbinding Company. Housed in a black paper covered slipcase. In fine condition. Measures 7.75 x 10.75 inches. Unpaginated. [About 40 pages] PRI/112822. Fine. More