Formats and Foibles, A Few Books Which Might Be Called Curious
Blumenthal, Walter Hart 105pp. One of 300 copies printed at the Chiswick Press. Musings on the meaning of the word "book," with many unusual examples of books that test the limits of definition. Handsomely bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in red morocco with pictorial gilt decoration. A.e.g. Very fine. (2 3/8 by 1 7/8; 61x47mm).- $144
- $144
Love Poems
(41)pp. One of 150 copies. Illustrated with two postage stamps attuned to the theme of the poetry, as well as with a two-color rose. With a reluctant Foreword by Leo Buscaglia. Bound in full white cloth over boards with stamping in red and gilt. Trace exterior soiling, else near fine. (2 5/8 by 2 1/4 in.; 66x58mm).- $115
- $115
Mark Twain and Birds
Harnsberger, Caroline Thomas 55pp. One 239 copies printed letterpress. The frontispiece is a tipped-in commemorative postage stamp with a Blue Jay. An essay with several quotes from Twain, including the story of his first regrets at hunting songbirds. Fine in full blue cloth, with an engraved metal plate on the front cover. (Bradbury p. 262). (2 11/16 by 2 3/16; 69x57mm).- $173
- $173
Shall I Die? Shall I Fly
(11)ff. One of 160 copies printed at the Firefly Press and illuminated on the title page by Suzanne Moore. This Elizabethan poem was discovered in a manuscript in 1985 and initially attributed to Shakespeare. An elegant miniature bound in handmade paper over boards by Barbara Blumenthal, with a calligraphic design in silver by Don Glaister. Housed in a red paper sleeve. Very fine. (Bromer, pp. 44-47). (2 7/16 by 1 9/16; 61x41mm).- $173
- $173
Be pitiful for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
MacLaren, Ian Three-color letterpress poster. Signed by Kennedy. Sublimated behind MacLaren's famous statement (frequently misattributed to Plato) is the sentiment summed up: "Be Kind." Minimal bumping to corners, else fine. (Measures 19 by 12 1/2 in.).- $403
- $403
The Bag Book
Acker, Susan (40)pp. From an edition of 175, this is one of 50 deluxe copies with an extra suite of nine etchings. A humorous etymology exploring the history and word-play of the word "bag." Illustrated throughout with hand-colored drawings by Weiss. Bound in tan leather with decorative brown stamping to front cover. The nine extra etchings are fullpage illustrations of fashionable bags from the sixteenth century through the 1930's. The extra suite is signed by Weiss and held in a brown paper chemise. This deluxe edition, with etchings, is housed in a miniature leather book tote. Very fine. (Bradbury, p. 78). (2 3/16 by 2 3/8; 55x60mm).- $431
- $431
No
Parks, Rosa Mulit-colored letterpress poster, from Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.'s series honoring Rosa Parks. Each installment in this series highlights Parks's determination, humanity, and honesty, upholding her persistent activism and uplifting her famous, yet sanitized, moment of refusal to bow to segregation. The masterful technique of layering colorful wood type used by Kennedy, the 2021 APHA Individual Laureate, brings a visual echo to Parks's words, crafting a literal resonance to match Parks's historical one. The multidimensional terrain of text is designed so that the viewer cannot look at the same image twice; one day they may look at it in a new way or notice a new word, so that the poster and its proverb become active vessels for study and reflection. Fine. (19 by 12 1/2 in.).- $518
- $518
Nursery Rhymes
(24)pp. From an edition of 150, this is one of 35 deluxe copies signed by Morgan and with an extra suite of plates. Twelve charming wood-engravings illustrate this collection of traditional English rhymes. Printed in Andoversford, Gloucestershire by the Whittington Press. In full calf, blind-stamped and titled in gilt on spine. The extra suite is in a special portfolio of marbled boards. Fine in a rust cloth dropback box with paper label. (2 1/2 by 1 7/8; 63x48mm.).- $403
- $403
The Lord’s Prayer
Micro-miniature. One of the four books called Kleinsten Bücher der Welt, and referred to at the time as "the smallest book in the world." Printed in seven languages. Very fine in black leather with gilt bands to spine and a gilt border. Housed in a tiny plexiglass case with a magnifying lid, seated in a lined box. (1/4 by 1/4; 5x5mm).- $144
- $144
The Story of Little Black Sambo
Bannerman, Helen (iv), 25pp. One of 100 copies signed by the printer/illustrator, Maryline Poole Adams. Illustrated throughout with full-page hand-colored linoleum cuts depicting young Sambo's encounter with the tigers deep in the jungle. A clever tale, unfortunately reliant on racist stereotypes. Fine in black boards with printed paper labels. (Bradbury, p. 183). (2 1/2 by 1 15/16; 65x49mm).- $259
- $259
On Human Rights
Fuentes, Carlos 52pp. One of 395 copies signed by the author, Carlos Fuentes. Illustrated with the six postage stamps designed by the Viennese artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser for the United Nations in 1983, in order to promote human rights around the world. With an Introduction by Henry Raymont. Fine in gilt-stamped bright blue cloth. (Bradbury, p. 281). (3 by 2 1/4; 76x60mm).- $115
- $115
The Cask of Amontillado
Poe, Edgar Allan (36)pp. One of 115 copies. Signed by Linnea Gentry of the Amaranth Press, who printed and illustrated the book. Printed in two colors. An extremely fine copy in violet pastepaper boards with title stamped in silver to front cover, author to spine. (2 1/2 by 2 in.; 62 x 50 mm).- $144
- $144
Nursery Rhymes
Morgan, Gwenda (24)pp. One of 150 copies. Published in California but letterpress printed at the Whittington Press in Gloucestershire, England. Well known nursery rhymes, illustrated with twelve charming wood engravings by Gwenda Morgan. Bound by Smith Settle in Whittington marbled paper-covered boards, backed in rust-colored cloth. Fine in a coordinating slipcase. (Bradbury, p. 141). (2 1/2 by 1 7/8; 64x49mm).- $58
- $58
William Shakespeare. Nearer My Bard to Thee
Marder, Louis 86pp. One of 199 copies signed by the publisher. With a chapter on the author's collection of some 20,000 pieces of Shakespeare memorabilia. Fine in maroon velvet with a gilt relief bust of the bard. (Bradbury p. 265). (2 1/2 by 2 1/8; 63x55mm).- $86
- $86
David Swan. A Fantasy From “Twice-Told Tales.”
Hawthorne, Nathaniel 37pp. One of 250 copies printed by Enschedé in Holland. With a frontispiece portrait stamp of the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Mild exterior rubbing and sunning, else near fine in gilt-stamped full olive calf. A.e.g. (Bradbury, p. 300). (2 11/16 by 1 7/8; 68x47mm).- $75
- $75