Biotherm (For Bill Berkson). Lithographs by Jim Dine. Introduction by Andrew Hoyem; essay and glossary by Bill Berkson

San Francisco: Arion Press, 1990. First edition, lettered issue; limited to 26 lettered copies ('reserved for participants in the project'), signed by Jim Dine, of total printing of 176 copies. 42 lithographs by Jim Dine. Folio (22 x 15 inches). Covers of red cloth portfolio are lightly soiled on front and rear covers, with small crease at one edge, else very good; the title page, printed leaves and lithographs are fine. First edition, lettered issue; limited to 26 lettered copies ('reserved for participants in the project'), signed by Jim Dine, of total printing of 176 copies. 42 lithographs by Jim Dine. Folio (22 x 15 inches). "'Biotherm' is the last (truncated) long poem of Frank O'Hara, whose accidental death in 1966 at age forty deprived America of one of its most vital and innovative poets. The poet and critic Bill Berkson, to whom the poem is addressed, provided an essay and compiled a glossary to explicate the references in the poem and to recount the circumstances of its writing. The artist Jim Dine knew O'Hara and admired his work. Challenged by O'Hara's brilliant experimentation in "Biotherm", Dine's prints pay a vibrant homage to the poet and engage themes in the poem. Biotherm [is] a true livre d'artiste... The format is 22 by 15 inches, issued as unbound sheets in portfolio. The poem was set by hand in 22-point Spectrum. Over proofs of the poetry Dine drew inter-weaving images. Between the text pages are leaves with illustrations only. The images were printed by duotone offset lithography and the text overprinted by letterpress. The portfolio box is covered in red cloth. The essay and glossary, issued as a booklet 11 by 7-1/2 inches, is contained in a recessed pocket of the portfolio. The paper is English mouldmade T. H. Saunders Waterford, hot-press finish. The lithographic printing was done at Phelps-Schaefer in Brisbane, California" [per publisher's statement]. (Inventory #: 324944)