The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman Three Volumes

San Francisco: Arion Press, 1988. Hardcover. Near Fine. Hardcover. One of four hundred copies. This is an adventuresome and inventive offering by the famed Arion Press. It is the 26th publication of the Press and is presented to the reader in three volumes. The first volume contains the complete text of the novel. The second volume is an essay of 42 pages by Sterne scholar Dr. Melvyn New of the University of Florida. Dr. New discusses Sterne's life and elucidates the complexities of Tristram Shandy for the first-time readers as well for those familiar with the book. The third volume is bound as an accordion fold and contains 39 photo-collages by the artist John Baldessari and each copy is signed by him. Baldessari (1931-2020) was an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images. Initially a painter, Baldessari began to incorporate texts and photography into his canvases in the mid-1960s. In 1970 he began working in printmaking, film, video, installation, sculpture and photography.e created thousands of works which demonstrate—and, in many cases, combine—the narrative potential of images and the associative power of language within the boundaries of the work of art. [Wikipedia]

Volume I with the text is bound with threee quarter green leather with green and white marbled paper boards. The paper was marbled by hand by Eileen Canning of Dancing Inks in Olympia, Washington, who used a style reminiscent of the marbling done for the first edition in 1760 - 1767. Printed on all-cotton Curtis Ruysdael paper using Caslon Old Style type for the text. It is 620 pages. The second and third volumes are bound in green Curtis Brightwater Cover. All three volumes are unified by a 6.75 x 10.25 inches format and are contained in a single slipcase covered in green cloth with gilt titling to spine. Near fine with wear and sunning to the spine of Volume I. The two other volumes are in fine condition. Slipcase is fine overall with light sunning to spine. Accompanied by the prospectus. A stunning achievement by the Arion Press. PRI/100424. (Inventory #: 37533)