The Abstract Garden [No. III of X of the special edition]

Monmouthshire: The Old Stile Press, 2006. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Reddick, Peter. Number III of X special edition copies (total edition 200), quarto size, [60] pp., signed by the artist and author. As explained in the Press's description: "The first 'poem-by-way-of-a-preface' implies that this book is a three-way collaboration of the words (the poet's) and the image (the engraver's) and the space between (the printer/designer). On this occasion, it is not just one art form responding to another. Sometimes a poem responded to a visual image, sometimes vice versa; many pages are more collaborative still, with a sketch from one prompting a draft (truncated) from the other, worked up to a finished picture and redrafted poem once the printer's hand has set them in their space. Poppies, trees, fire, natural forms all excite the different forms of expression found here.

Peter Reddick was, for many years, one of the most highly regarded of British wood engravers and his work has appeared in many Penguin books, those of the Folio Society and Limited Editions Club, New York. He has inspired students not only in Glasgow and Bristol but further afield in Ghana and he was the founder of Spike Island, the lively Bristol Printmaking studio. Philip Gross is a renowned poet and successful writer of thrilling and challenging novels for young people, of plays, science fiction and radio short stories. ' . . he should be recognized as one of England's very best poets . . . for the exuberance of his imagination."

___DESCRIPTION: Original quarter brown cloth and printed paper-covered boards with detail from one of the engravings, tan endpapers, double-spread title page with one illustration, 30 engravings using boxwood and various other surfaces printed directly from the blocks; Spectrum type, Zerkall Halbmatt paper, quarto size (10.5" by 7.75"), [60] pp., limited edition, this number III of X special edition copies from a total edition of 200, signed by the artist and author. The special edition copies are accompanied by a cloth portfolio containing a packet of five engravings (four from the book and one that does not appear in the book), printed by the artist on Japanese paper, titled, numbered and signed by him; and a second packet housing five poems (again, including one not in the book) handwritten on fine paper by the poet and signed by him. All are housed in a fall-down-back case covered with rust-red cloth, small illustration as a paste-down on the front, lined with rust-red suede.

___CONDITION: Fine; crisp, clean, as new and free of prior owner markings; in a like case.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: CNJL1265)