Reading Copy Book Blog

UK fans of bookbinding might be interested in a touring exhibition dedicated to Welsh artist Sir Kyffin Williams, who died a couple of years ago.

Members of the Designer Bookbinders organisation have created a commemorative book of essays and memoirs celebrating the artist’s work - Kyffin: A Celebration. Published by Gwasg Gregynog, there is a foreword from the Prince of Wales and the book is illustrated with a selection of the artist’s linocuts printed directly from the original blocks, including some unpublished works. Founded more than 50 years ago, the Designer Bookbinders group is dedicated to fine bookbinding. The exhibition tours from June to November.

Gwasg Gregynog, Tregynon, Newtown, Powys Tel 01686 650625
Sat 7 June 2.30pm until Sun 8 June 4pm

National Library of Wales, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Tel 01970 632800
Sat 14 June 2.30pm until Sat 2 August 5pm

Contemporary Applied Arts, 2 Percy St, London, W1. Tel 020 7436 2344
Wed 13 August 6pm (Private View) until Sat 30 August 4pm

Stour Gallery, 10 High St., Shipston-on-Stour Tel 01608 664411
Fri 19 September 6pm (Private View) until Sun 5 October 4.30pm

John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester 0161 275 8746
Sat 11 October 2.30pm until Thurs 13 November 5pm

Wow. A 1962 Saul Bass illustrated children’s book.

This may be a day late for yesterday’s holiday to the south - but still somewhat fitting. Welcome Books has recently released a deluxe edition of the Sam Fink illustrated Constitution of the United States of America. The illustrations within and presentation of the volume are incredibly beautiful.

You can see some of the images and read a short interview with Sam Fink over at The Morning News.

As usual, The Guardian leads the way with its wide ranging book coverage. This article looks at the papercrafting art of pop-up book masters Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart

Pop-up books are still often thought of as novelties, but in fact, says Sabuda, they date back to the 13th century, and the “volvelles”, or movable discs, used by monks to keep track of religious festivals, and by astronomers to chart the heavens. In the late 1700s pop-up books were used to teach artists the rules of perspective, but since the 19th century, movable books, with cut-outs, peepholes and pop-ups, have made regular appearances in children’s literature.

As a child I spent a lot of time with the Peanuts gang. A lot. No really, just ask my parents. So when Fantagraphics started re-publishing the entire Peanuts series I was extremely excited.

Fantagraphics is one of those unsung heroes of the publishing world. The material released is alway interesting and of high quality They publish a large collection of books and comics - tending toward the offbeat and alternative variety (Clowes, Crumb, Hernandez, Woodring…) but also re-printing alot of classic materials (Peanuts, Denis the Menace, Eldon Dedini etc).

One of their more recent interesting projects is the Beasts book. The books is “a collection of mythological creatures illustrated by about a hundred of the most acclaimed artists and cartoonists from the most avant-garde gambits of the art world.” Additionally, as part of the book release there is a limited edition letterpress book showcasing 10 of the illustrations being released through the art site Tiny Showcase.

Find out even more about the book, signings and book events at the Beasts blog. And keep up to date with Fantagraphics goings-on at their blog.

Apparently Myspace just launched a new comic book community, and the folks over at Mashable were discussing if this news would be the beginning of the end for the newly formed ComicSpace.  The battle for Web2.0 comic supremacy wages on.

In related news, Jessa at Bookslut tipped us off to The Nerve’s 20 comics that may change your life

BibliOdyssey is perhaps one of my favourite blogs - book-related or not. It doesn’t feel like a traditional blog, rather the blog focuses on collecting antiquarian book imagery. Most posts are a series of related images and some explanatory text about the series. The posts range from book arts, scientific illustrations, antiquarian maps, country specific art styles and more…

Rather than wasting effort trying explain how fascintating the posts are, you should really just visit and discover for yourself, I really can’t recommend it enough.

One of the best side effects of all the people being involved in the Internet is the exposure to some wonderful treasures that you would not normally get to see.

A-HAA (ASIFA-Hollywood Animated Archive) blog has put up some beautiful Arthur Rackham images from a 1909 first edition Grimm’s Fairy Tales. A-HAA also puts up images from a 1923 edition of Grimm’s Fairy Tales with illustrations from Gustaf Tenggren.

Both posts are a wonderful visual treat.

You can find out more about Rackham or Tenggren