Paris: Harrison of Paris, 1931. Quarto (10 3/16 x 7 7/8 inches), original paper-covered boards, original glassine wrapper housed in original chemise, in the original slipcase. With original printed paper-knife laid in and loose ex-libris of Monroe Wheeler.
FIRST EDITION, ONE OF ONLY 50 COPIES with an ORIGINAL SIGNED DRAWING by CALDER.
"In the summer of 1931, Calder produced some of his finest graphic work and a masterpiece of American book illustration, the Fables of Aesop for Harrison of Paris" (James Johnson Sweeney, Alexander Calder).
Designed by Monroe Wheeler and elegantly printed on Guarro's Spanish pure rag paper with coloured silk threads containing 51 line-block reproductions after pen-and-ink drawings by Calder.
In the thirties, Calder has not experimented with original print media but has illustrated books with drawings, here reproduced by a fine french craftsman.
The book was printed and edited in France. The deluxe edition was fifty copies (supposed I to XX for France and XXI to L for America) each with one of the original ink drawings signed by the artist tipped at the beginning of the book. Also the "regular" edition on Auvergne paper (595 copies).
The Calder Aesop is one of the most celebrated illustrated books of the twentieth century. The original signed Calder drawing is tipped-in (as issued).
Exceedingly scare. A mint copy in the original slipcase, with Monroe Wheeler's ex-libris, the designer and editor of the book.
The Artist and the Book 47.
Right mouse click for a full screen picture.
