Animal Farm: A Fairy Tale

San Francisco: Arion Press, 2013. Hardcover. Fine. Hardcover. Number 65 of 300 numbered copies signed by the illustrator with 26 lettered copies for complimentary distribution. This was the ninety-ninth publication from this esteemed press. It is a scarce edition of Orwell's satirical novel in the form of a beast fable first published in England in 19451945. It tells the story of a group of anthropomorphic farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, the rebellion is betrayed, and under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon, the farm ends up in a state far worse than before. The book was seen as being critical of Stalinist communism. In his introduction, Stansky writes that this may be Orwell's "greatest masterpiece, a perfect text. As a fable about human nature it transcends the political era in which it was written. It is in many ways a despairing book, but it has such compassion and empathy."

The illustrator, Jonathan Hammer, is an American born artist based in Madrid, Spain. Over his career he has worked in several media including works on paper, photography, unique books, sculpture, ceramics, and prints. The prints he created for this book are compelling yet disturbing images in black and red of parts of pig body parts, real and imagined. They are grotesque but fitting for the troubling text of this book. Bound in brownish orange cloth with a maroon cloth spine and stylized design to covers. Title in gilt to spine. Printed in Times New Roman on Zerkall ivory book paper. Housed in a maroon cloth covered slipcase with brownish orange spine and ends. Book and slipcase are in fine condition. Measures 7.50 x 10.25 inches. 150 numbered pages plus 24 plates. PRI/102924. (Inventory #: 37566)