Leaves from the Pie Tree

Folio. 68, (3)pp. A range of samples from Rimmer's immense oeuvre chart his long career as a designer and compositor, visualizing his compelling, often coy, recollections. Among the samples are tipped-in sheets from Being Five or Six, the Pie Tree Press's edition of A Christmas Carol, and a color linocut from the Pie Tree Shadow River, as well as a quote from Rudolf Koch to exemplify Rimmer's Albertan type. Other examples fold out from the gutter: a Duensing Titling presentation in silver ink on handmade black paper; a practice in 24pt Fellowship type on the same; a compendium of popular types from Rimmer's youth printed in all their "rugged dignity" in red on white paper; and an eight-color block print of a tiger designed for, but ultimately unused by, the Shrine Circus. Of particular note is an illustration from The Adventures from Tom Sawyer, which was in-progress at the time of publication. Otherwise emblazoned throughout with photographs, drawings, typographic experiments, and a concluding page of Rimmer's commercial work, which includes the logos for Whistler mountain, the Hot Jazz record label, and the band Heart. As a much a book of personality as of the larger history of book and type design. Bound in quarter black leather with paper over boards stamped with the Pie Tree device in a repeating pattern. Housed in slipcase. Fine. Prospectus laid in, as is the program for an exhibition of Rimmer's work, held at Simon Fraser University, and the signed notecard, which has a reduced version of the Duensing Titling example tipped-in. One of forty copies. Initialed by Rimmer at the colophon. Signed note from Rimmer laid in.…