Literary Figures

Portage indiana: The Compulsive Printer, 1978. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. As New/Book built into clam-shell box. In Literary Figures one of the worlds finest book artists the late (1934-2009) Joe D'Ambrosio. In Literary Figures D'Ambrosio is experimenting with communicating the writing styles of ten known authors, ( Joyce-Steinbeck-Fowles- Shirley jackson-Andre Gide- Mann- Durrell-Agee-Tolstoy and Zola) through graphic imagery. The images are printed on different kinds of paper. The individual; color and texture of the paper acts as a background and becomes an integral part of the image, The paper is tipped into place only at the top so the viewer may lift its lower edge and feel its surface. Serigraphy and letter press printing were used to create the graphic prints. Even though there are 10 authors represented, there are eleven prints in the book. To assure that the prints remain in sequence, the folios are bound within a clam-shell box. This folio is beautiful as new and unmarked except for all serigraphs are signed and numbered by D'Ambrosio. There is a small crease on the matting paper on serigraph #8. There is an wonderful additional picture on the first free end paper with an inscription " To Pat M......." Best wishes, Joe D'Ambrosio. Pat was a collector, mentor and advisor to the artist. The clam shell box with its unique serigraph on the cover is fine except that the rear board is warped and there is a small repair to inner corner of clam-shell box. This book is limited to 50 copies and 7 A.P's this is #9. The type is various faces and sizes and the leaves:23- Are Strathmore carrier pages and various printed papers. The outer box: Natsume paper and white cloth over board (inner binding. This is a wonderful D'Ambrosio collectible for those who appreciate the best in book art.