Art in America

Mount Horeb, WI: The Perishable Press, 1998. Softcover. Fine. Softcover. One of 117 copies signed by the author on the dedication page. Quite scarce. Walter Hamady (1940 - 2019) was an American artist, book designer, papermaker, poet and teacher. He is especially known for his innovative efforts in letterpress printing, bookbinding, and papermaking. In the mid-1960s, he founded The Perishable Press Limited and the Shadwell Papermill, and soon after joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he taught for more than thirty years. Noted for its fine handmade paper, distinguished typography and unique colophons, Hamady's Perishable (truncated) Press challenged traditional notions of the book. Over the years, his press produced a body of work highly sought after by collectors -- books prized for their meticulous and complex physical structures, quirkiness and inventive collaborations between typesetter, binder and illustrator. [Wikipedia]

Bobby Howard Byrd (1934 – , 2007) was an American rhythm and blues, soul and funk singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, bandleader, and talent who played a part in the development of soul and funk music in association with James Brown. David McLimans (1948 - 2014) was a graphic designer and illustrator who won the Caldecott Honor for his first book, and has won numerous other awards for his editorial illustration.

The title of this book is taken from the opening poem in this collection. According to the colophon, the title poem came as spark and the illustration as kindling for collaboration. There are seven other pieces, interspersed with McLiman's monochromatic illustrations. Letterpress in Gills and Syntax types on Hahnemüle Biblio and Gutenberg papers. The books paper cover stock is from the Shadwell Papermill. In fine condition. Measures 10.25 x 7.125 inches. Unpaginated [35 printed pages]. PRI/080524. (Inventory #: 37409)