[1] Ward, Lynd, 1905-
Gods' man : a novel in woodcuts.
New York : Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929.
[144] leaves ; 21 x 15 cm.
February 21–March 31, 1997
Bienes Center for the
Literary Arts
The Dianne and Michael Bienes
Special Collections and
Rare Book Library
Broward County Main Library, 6th Floor
100 S. Andrews
Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1997. Bienes Center for the
Literary Arts
Modern Rare Books, the third exhibition of the Bienes Center's inaugural year, showcases 37 items from the The Mata and Arthur Jaffe Collection of books as aesthetic objects. The collection was formed over a period of approximately 50 years, and like all collectors, the Jaffes have put an individual and unmistakable stamp on the contents of their revered assemblage of book objects. The exhibition chronicles their maturation as book collectors and, at the same time, provides the viewer a window through which to view the Jaffes extraordinary evolution as bibliophiles.
THE JAFFE COLLECTION
Early in his artistic
development, Mr. Jaffe was initially drawn to the power of expressionist
woodcuts. He was attracted to them because they reminded him of the "stark,
black graphic quality of the ancient Hebrew 'aleph bet', with its fiery tendrils
reaching towards heaven." Next, he quickly discovered "block-books,
with each page printed from a solid block of wood that contained the picture and
the caption."
From there, it was a short leap to collecting books. Mr. Jaffe sums up his love of books thusly: "I am seduced by the beauty of the handsome letters of the printed alphabet, for it allows man to communicate and to preserve thoughts, emotions, and discoveries. I glory in the well-designed page, I am in awe of creative, magnificent illustrations and, finally, I exalt at sharing with others the nobility of beautiful books that contain man's cultural heritage."
Along with the most important examples of early 20th century illustrated books, the library of the Jaffes also houses a wonderful, personal collection of modern and contemporary books as aesthetic objects. The Bienes Center is privileged to have this opportunity to hold this selected exhibit of book objects from their uncommon holdings.
THE EXHIBITION
The exhibit is arranged in four
sections:
1. Books Without Words — includes titles by the recognized masters of the 'novel in woodcuts' format: Lynd Ward, Otto Nckel, and Frans Masereel.
2. Accordion Books — features titles by Warja Honegger-Lavater and Antonio Frasconi.
3. Illustrated Editions of Moby-Dick — highlights the Melville novel and adaptations of the Moby-Dick theme by other artists.
4. Other Artists' Books — features unique and limited editions of contemporary artists' books.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Bienes Center gratefully
acknowledges the participation of Arthur and Mata Jaffe in the preparation of
the exhibition. They dedicated numerous hours of their time helping to select
and plan the installation of the objects. They are genuine bibliophiles, a fact
that is demonstrated by their willingness and generosity in sharing with the
public so many unusual and valuable titles from their private collection. Thanks
also to the Broward Public Library Foundation, Inc., for its continued support
of this program and exhibition series.
James A. Findlay
Librarian
Bienes
Center for the Literary Arts
Exhibition Checklist
The
artist's name appears first, followed by title, author (when appropriate), place
of publication, publisher, date, pagination, size (height by width), and notes.
BOOKS WITHOUT WORDS
[1]
Ward, Lynd, 1905-
Gods' man : a novel in woodcuts.
New York :
Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1929.
[144] leaves ; 21 x 15 cm.
[2] —— Another copy.
[144] leaves ; 25 x 16
cm.
(Special edition : #306 of 409 copies. Signed by Lynd Ward).
[3] Hyde, Laurence.
Southern Cross : a novel
of the South Seas told in wood engravings.
1st ed.
Los Angeles : Ward
Ritchie Press, 1951.
255 p. ; 18 x 15 cm.
(With a review of
stories in pictures from Earliest Times ; introduction by Rockwell Kent).
(This
First Edition . . . has been printed from the original wood blocks . . . design
by Joseph Simon . . . ).
[4] Nckel, Otto, 1888-
Destiny : a novel
in pictures.
New York : Farrar & Rinehart, 1930.
207 leaves ; 20
x 17 cm.
[5] Faye, Jules Remedios.
The Mechanical
dreamer = Il Sognatore meccanico : a fabulous tale of Italian dreams told in
linoblocks cut during the Perseid Meteor Showers.
Seattle : Street of
Crocodiles, 1993.
[20] leaves ; 19 x 14 cm.
(Handset and printed
in an edition of 125 copies, numbered and signed by the artist. This copy is
#29).
[6] Ward, Lynd, 1905-
Mad man's drum : a novel
in woodcuts.
New York : Jonathan Cape, Harrison Smith, 1930.
132 leaves
; 24 x 16 cm.
(Special edition, #216 of 309. Signed by the
artist).
[7]
Masereel, Frans, 1889-1972.
Meine Heimat : Hundert Holzschnitte.
[1st
ed].
Zurich : Limmat Verlag, 1965.
[100] leaves ; 28 x 20
cm.
(In dustjacket).
[8] Masereel, Frans, 1889-1972.
My book of
hours.
[S.l.] : Se trouve chez l'Auteur, 1922.
[147] leaves ; 18 x 13
cm.
(167 designs engraved on wood by Frans Masereel. Foreward by Romain
Rolland. This edition is strictly limited to 600 copies for America. [This is
copy] #404. Each copy is signed).
[9]
Masereel, Frans, 1889-1972.
Passionate journey : a novel in 165
woodcuts.
[New York] : Lear, 1948.
22, [167] p. ; 22 x 15 cm.
(Introduction
by Thomas Mann. In dustjacket).
ACCORDION BOOKS
[10]
Honegger-Lavater, Warja.
Le Petit Poucet : une imagerie d'aprs
le conte de Charles Perrault.
Paris : Adrien Maeght Editeur, 1979.
1
folded sheet ; 16 x 11 cm.
(Key to symbols in French, English, and German).
[11] Frasconi, Antonio.
A Sunday in Monterey :
woodcuts by Antonio Frasconi.
1st ed.
[New York] : Harcourt, Brace &
World, 1964.
1 folded sheet ; 14 x 5 cm.
[12]
Frasconi, Antonio.
Kaleidoscope in woodcuts.
1st ed.
New
York : Harcourt, Brace & World, 1968.
1 folded sheet ; 14 x 5 cm.
(In
slipcase).
[13] Honegger-Lavater, Warja.
The Good
intention is blue = Der gute Versatz ist blau.
Basel : Basilius Presse,
[1963?].
1 folded sheet ; 12 x 6 cm.
(Folded story No. 8. Edition : #135
of 277. Dist. by Wittenborn and Co., Scarsdale, N.Y.).
[14]
Honegger-Lavater, Warja.
Ramalalup.
Basel : Basilius Presse,
1967.
1 folded sheet ; 18 x 12 cm.
(Folded story 18. Captions in
English, French and German).
[15] Honegger-Lavater, Warja.
Guillaume Tell
= William Tell.
Bale : Editions Heuwinkel, 1991.
[23] p. ; 14 x 10
cm.
(Edition : #206 of 701. Signed by the artist. In slipcase).
ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS OF MOBY DICK
[16] Robinson, Alan James.
Cetacea, the great whales : etchings and woodengravings.
Easthampton, Mass. : Cheloniidae Press, c1981].
1 portfolio ; 41 x 59 cm.
(This portfolio is printed on Arches Cover Buff in an edition of one hundred and ten, with ten copies withheld as artist's proofs. The seven etchings were printed by the artist at Cheloniidae Press, Easthampton, Mass. Mr. Harold P. McGrath printed the text and wood engravings at Hampshire Typothetae, Hatfield, Mass. The sheets are laid in a full leather folder tooled by David Bourbeau of Thistle Bindery. The folder is placed in a quarter leather tray-case hand crafted by Gray Parrot. This is portfolio number 22/100. Signed by Robinson, Bourbeau, Parrot, and McGrath).
[16a] —— [Etching]. Finback Whale and Minke Whales. 38 x 55 cm.
[16b] —— [Etching]. Sperm Whale. 38 x 55 cm.
[16c] —— [Title Page]. Cetacea : the Great Whales. 38 x 55 cm.
[16d] —— [Binding by Gray Parrot]. 39 x 57 cm.
[16e] —— [Etching]. Blue Whales and Killer Whales. 38 x 55 cm.
[16f] —— [Etching]. Humpback Whales. 38 x 55 cm.
[17] Moser, Barry.
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale.
Melville, Herman, 1819-1891.
San Francisco : Arion Press, 1979.
576 p. ; 38 x 26 cm.
(. . . printed and published by Andrew Hoyem at the Arion Press, San Francisco, California. The edition is limited to 265 copies, of which 250 are for sale. The type is handset Goudy Modern. The Leviathan Capitals used for the title and initial letters were designed by Charles Bigelow and Kris Holmes. The illustrations were drawn and engraved by Barry Moser. The paper was handmade by Barcham Green at Hayle Mill in England. . . . The printing commenced in March of 1978 and was completed in May of 1979. Signed by Barry Moser. In slipcase).
[18] Moser, Barry.
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale.
Melville, Herman, 1819-1891.
1st ed.
Los Angeles : University of California, 1979.
576 p. ; 26 x 18 cm.
(The Arion Press edition as designed by Andrew Hoyem with illustrations by Barry Moser and a note on the California Edition by James D. Hart. In dustjacket).
[19]—— Another copy.
35 x 24 cm.
(This California Deluxe Edition is limited to 750 copies. In slipcase)
[20]
Kent, Rockwell, 1882-1971.
Moby Dick, or, The Whale.
Melville, Herman, 1819-1891.
Chicago : Lakeside Press, 1930.
3 v. ; 30 x 22 cm.
(Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. In metal slipcase).
[21]
Stella, Frank, 1936-
Frank Stella, Moby Dick series : engravings, domes and deckle edges.
Ostfildern-Ruit bei Stuttgart : Cantz, 1993.
98 p. ; 30 x 24 cm.
(In dustjacket)
[22] Simon, Howard, 1903-
Moby-Dick, or, The Whale.
Melville, Herman, 1819-1891.
New York : Albert and Charles Boni, 1931.
507 p. ; 19 x 13 cm.
(Woodcuts by Howard Simon. Bonibooks).
[23] Sienkiewicz, Bill.
Moby Dick.
Melville, Herman, 1819-1891.
New York : Berkley ; [ Chicago] : First Publishing, 1990.
41 p. ; 26 x 17 cm.
(Adapted by Bill Sienkiewicz, artist. Bill Sienkiewicz and Dan Chichester, writers. Willie Schubert, letterer).
(Classics illustrated).
OTHER ARTISTS' BOOKS
[24] Blocker, Mare.
Watch repair.
Simic, Charles, 1938-
Seattle : M. Kimberly Press, 1987.
[6] p. ; 25 x 19 cm.
(Watch repair is a poem from Charles Simic's Return to a place lit by a glass of milk . . . Edition : #17/25. Each book was individually hand watercolored, embellished, and bound by the artist. Signed by the author and the artist. In decorated case).
[25] Johnson, Paul.
To the land of beyond.
[S.l. : The Artist, 1995].
[2] folded leaves ; 28 x 35 cm.
(In slipcase).
[26] Slight, Clarrisa T.
What's happening with Momma?
[Rosendale, NY] : Women's Studio Workshop, 1988.
[7] p. ; 29 x 16 cm.
(Edition of 150, signed by the artist. In case).
(One cardboard sheet accordion folded to form various views of a house, with a poem printed on accordion folded cards that unfold to form a stairway in front of the picture on each page).
[27]
Lynn, Toby.
A mathematician like a painter or a poet, is a maker of patterns.
[Ft. Lauderdale? : The Artist], 1991.
[10] leaves ; 32 x 21 cm.
(Edition : [1/1]?)
[28] Weier, Debra.
Las Piedras del cielo = Skystones : poemas de Pablo Neruda.
Neruda, Pablo, 1904-1973.
Easthampton, MA : Emanon Press, 1981.
[42] p. ; 30 x 23 cm.
(Book design by Debra Weier & Bill Bridgers. Intaglio images by Debra Weier. Edition of 60. Signed by the artists. In dustjacket and case).
(Constructed with flaps and other movable parts on which some text is printed).
[29] Cotty, Anne-Claude.
Chameleons on parade.
[S.l. : The Artist, 1994].
[2] folded leaves ; 25 x 31 cm.
(Edition : 18/100).
[30] Weier, Debra.
Graffiti.
Belitt, Ben, 1911-
[Easthampton, MA?] : Emanon Press, 1989.
[39] p. ; 29 x 20 cm.
(Designed and illustrated by Debra Weier. . . . a book of poems by Ben Bellit . . . It includes a variety of printing techniques including intaglio, letterpress, silkscreen, and offset. . . Signed by the artist and the author. Edition : #14/64. In case).
[31] Grooms, Red.
Ruckus Rodeo.
New York : Harry N. Abrams, 1988.
[13] p. ; 30 x 20 cm.
(Published in cooperation with the Whitney Museum of American Art in conjunction with the 1987 Red Grooms' exhibition "Ruckus Rodeo." Illustrated essay by Barbara Haskell. Contains 6 pop-up illustrations by the artist).
[32]
Blocker, Mare.
Big cats.
Ames Lake : M. Kimberly Press, 1989.
5 folded plates ; 25 x 20 cm.
(Edition : 1/1. In sequined case).
[33] Weier, Debra.
A Merz sonata : a book.
Rothenberg, Jerome.
[Easthampton, MA] : Emanon Press ; Women's Studio Workshop, 1985.
[23] p. ; 29 x 21 cm.
(Debra Weier did the two multiple-plate etchings, four type-high line plates & rubber stamp drawings. Printed in an edition of fifty numbered 450 to 500. This is copy #463. In case).
[34] Kowalsky, Elaine, 1948-
Heart rendering stuff : (and other stories).
London : The Artist, 1988.
[15] leaves ; 22 x 38 cm.
(Edition #3/12. Signed by the artist. The lithographs and silk screens were drawn and printed by Elaine Kowalsky in Leeds. The pop-ups were designed and the book bound by Charles Gledhill in London. In case).
[35]
Van Vliet, Claire.
Dido and Aeneas : an opera perform'd at Mr. Josias Priest's boarding-school at Chelsey by young gentlewomen.
Purcell, Henry, 1659-1695.
Newark, VT : Janus Press, 1989.
[38] p. ; 38 x 17 cm.
(The words by Mr. Nahum Tate; the musick composed by Mr. Henry Purcell. This co-publication of the Janus Press & the Theodore Press is limited to 150 copies of which this is copy 41, signed by the Claire Van Vliet).
(A deluxe edition of the libretto, which is based on Virgil's Aeneid. "300th anniversary publication, April 1989. The first edition of Nahum Tate's libretto . . . was probably distributed to the audience at the 1st performance . . . in April 1689. The text was prepared, typographically designed & handset . . . by Michael Alpert at the Theodore Press in Bangor, Maine. Printed at the Janus Press in Newark, Vermont by Michael Alpert & Claire Van Vliet . . . The book structure and box were designed by Claire Van Vliet").
(Consists of printing and art work on one side of a folded strip and on leaves attached to the strip, in a box containing a pocket holding a compact disc recording of the opera and an empty 2nd pocket to accommodate any other compact disc. "The book can be stood in a line or in a star-circle shape").
[36] O'Banion, Nance
Domestic science : idioms.
Berkeley : Flying Fish Press, 1990.
[50] p. ; 30 x 16 cm.
(Added title page has subtitle: Pop-up icons. Edition : 87/150, signed by the artist.
In decorated case).
(Printed on both sides of a continuous strip with additional leaves attached, folded accordion style and laid loose in a box. The "idioms" appear on one side of the strip, the "pop-up icons" on the other).
[37]
Spruance, Benton, 1904-1967.
Moby Dick : the passion of Ahab ; twenty-six lithographs.
Thompson, Lawrance, 1906-
[Barre, MA : Barre Publishers, 1968].
1 portfolio ([10], 26 leaves, 26 plates) ; 58 x
43 cm.
(Twenty-six lithographs by Benton Spruance. Text by Lawrance Thompson. In case).
[37a]—— [Lithograph] #4 : Strike through the mask. 55 x 40 cm.
[37b]—— [Lithograph] #15 : The Sphynx. 55 x 40 cm.
PERSONL NAME INDEX
Alpert, Michael 35
Belitt, Ben 30
Bigelow, Charles 17
Blocker, Mare 24, 32
Bourbeau, David 16
Bridgers, Bill 28
Chichester, Dan 23
Cotty, Anne-Claude 29
Faye, Jules Remedios 5
Frasconi, Antonio 11, 12
Gledhill, Charles 34
Green, Barcham 17
Grooms, Red 31
Hart, James D 18, 19
Haskell, Barbara 31
Holmes, Kris 17
Honegger-Lavater, Warja 10, 13, 14, 15
Hoyem, Andrew 17, 18, 19
Hyde, Laurence 3
Johnson, Paul 25
Kent, Rockwell 3, 20
Kowalsky, Elaine 34
Lynn, Toby 27
McGrath, Harold P. 16
Mann, Thomas 9
Masereel, Frans 7, 8, 9
Melville, Herman 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23
Moser, Barry 17, 18, 19
Neruda, Pablo 28
Nckel, Otto 4
O'Banion, Nance 36
Parrot, Gray 16
Perrault, Charles 10
Purcell, Henry 35
Robinson, Alan James 16
Rolland, Romain 8
Rothenberg, Jerome 33
Schubert, Willie 23
Sienkiewicz, Bill 23
Simic, Charles 24
Simon, Howard 22
Slight, Clarrisa T. 26
Spruance, Benton 37
Stella, Frank 21
Tate, Nahum 35
Thompson, Lawrance 37
Van Vliet, Claire 35
Ward, Lynd 1, 2, 6
Weier, Debra 28, 30, 33
PUBLISHER/PRINTER/BINDER/PAPER INDEX
Adrien Maeght Editeur 10
Albert and Charles Boni 22
Arches Cover Buff 16
Arion Press 17
Barre Publishers 37
Basilius Presse 13, 14
Berkley 23
Cantz 21
Cheloniidae Press 16
Editions Heuwinkel 15
Emanon Press 28, 30, 33
Farrar & Rinehart 4
First Publishing 3
Flying Fish Press 36
Hampshire Typothetae 16
Harcourt, Brace & World 11, 12
Harry N. Abrams 31
Hayle Mill 17
Janus Press 35
Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith 1, 2, 6
Lakeside Press 20
Lear 9
Limmat Verlag 7
M. Kimberly Press 24, 32
Street of Crocodiles 5
Theodore Press 35
Thistle Bindery 16
Univeristy of California Press 18, 19
Ward Ritchie Press 3
Whitney Museum of Art 31
Wittenborn and Co. 13
Women's Studio Workshop 26, 33
TITLE INDEX
Big cats 32
Cetacea, the great whales 16
Chameleons on parade 29
Destiny : a novel in pictures 4
Dido and Aeneas 35
Domestic science 36
Frank Stella, Moby Dick series 21
Gods' man : a novel in woodcuts 1, 2
Good intention is blue 13
Graffiti 30
Guillaume Tell 15
Gute Versatz ist blau 13
Heart rendering stuff 34
Kaleidoscope in woodcuts 12
Mad man's drum : a novel in woodcuts 6
Mathematician, like a painter or a poet 27
Mechanical dreamer 5
Meine Heimat : Hundert Holzschnitte 7
Merz sonata 33
Moby-Dick, or, The whale 18, 19, 20, 22, 23
Moby Dick : the passion of Ahab 37
My book of hours 8
Passionate journey : a novel in 165 woodcuts 9
Petit Poucet 10
Piedras del cielo 28
Ramalalup 14
Return to a place lit by a glass of milk 24
Ruckus Rodeo 31
Skytones 28
Sognatore meccanico 5
Southern Cross : a novel of the South Seas in wood engravings3
Sunday in Monterey 11
To the land of beyond 25
Watch repair 24
What's happening with Momma 26
William Tell 15
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abernethy, Lloyd M. Benton Spruance : the artist and the man. Philadelphia : Art Alliance Press, 1988.
Boca Raton Museum of Art. Books as art : [exhibition] August 30-October 6, 1991. [Boca Raton, Fla.] : Boca Raton Museum of Art, 1991.
Castleman, Riva. A century of artists books. New York : Museum of Modern Art ; dist. by Abrams, 1994.
Drucker, Johanna. A century of artists' books. New York : Granary Books, 1995.
Frans Masereel, 1889-1972 : Bilder, Bildromane, Illustrationen : Ausstellung aus Anlass der 100. Wiederkehr des Geburtstages von Frans Masereel : Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Kassel, Neue Galerie, Schone Aussicht 1, 17. September bis 29. Oktober 1989 : Kunstmuseum Winterthur, 7. Februar bis 25. Marz 1990. Kassel : Die Kunstsammlung, 1990.
Frasconi, Antonio. The books of Antonio Frasconi : a selection, 1945-1995. New York : Grolier Club, 1996.
Independent Curators Inc. Contemporary illustrated books : word and image, 1967-1988. New York : Independent Curators Inc., 1989.
Katz, Bill. A history of book illustration : 29 points of view. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press, 1994.
Lyons, Joan. Artists' books : a critical anthology and sourcebook. Rochester, N.Y. : Distributed by G.M. Smith, Peregrine Smith Books, 1985.
McLean, Genetta. Claire Van Vliet : a celebration of paper. Newiston, Me. : Bates College Museum of Art, 1994.
Manguel, Alberto. A history of reading. New York : Viking, 1996.
Masereel, Frans. Frans Masereel (1889-1972) the man who breathed new life into woodcutting : catalogue of the exhibition at Haifa, July 30th-October 3rd 1988. Antwerp : Museum Plantin-Moretus ; Stedelijk Prentenkabinet, 1988.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Talking the boundless book : art, language, and the book arts. Minneapolis, Minn. : Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1995.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The artist & the book, 1860-1960. New York : Hacker Art Books, 1982.
Ritchie, Ward. Fine printers : the new generation in Southern California. Sacramento, Calif. : California State Library Foundation, 1988.
Sackner, Ruth. Ruth and Marvin Sackner archive of concrete and visual poetry. Miami Beach, Fla. : [The Sackners], 1986.
Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum. Illustrationen zu Melvilles Moby-Dick : Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig, Sonderausstellung vom 18.6-19.9.1976. [Schleswig : The Museum, 1976].
Schultz, Elizabeth A. Unpainted to the last : Moby-Dick and twentieth-century American art. Lawrence, Kan. : University Press of Kansas, 1995.
Smith, Philip. The book : art & object. Merstham : The Artist, 1982.
Ward, Lynd. Storyteller without words; the wood engravings of Lynd Ward. New York : Abrams, 1974.
This exhibit was made possible by the generous support of the Broward Public Library Foundation. It is also available as a virtual exhibit at: http://www.broward.org/bienes
Graphic Design by Mary Ann Stavros-Lanning, MASWEL Group, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Printing by Atlantic-Litho Print, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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