Moby Dick, Arion, Used (3 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Hardcover. One of 265 copies of which 250 copies were for sale. However, this spectacular copy is one of only five specially bound by the press in luxurious white leather. The owner of the press, Andrew Hoyem kept one copy and this copy was owned by a private collector. The whereabouts of the other three copies are unknown, and this special edition has never appeared on the market or at auction. This book has been described by William Everson as "a feat of craftsmanship unexcelled in modern printing," and named by the Grolier Club as one of the 100 most beautiful books of the twentieth century. According to the 24 page prospectus for the book, this was the sixth publication issued by the press, which is described by them as "one of the most elaborate printing ventures ever to be undertaken by an American press, and nothing will be spared in the effort to make it the finest of books." There is a several page description of the making of this magnificent edition. They write: "Despite many editions -perhaps because of its length - it has not been accorded the full typographical treatment that a classic of its stature deserves".in the early days of [the press] they considered the possibility of their printing a handset folio Moby Dick. It took ten years from the early discussions for the press to secure the capital for this long-planned venture. They go on to explain in detail the type and paper selection, followed by a section on the illustrations by the renowned artist Barry Moser of the Pennyroyal Press. It was decided from the inception of the project that there would be no dramatic or interpretive scenes that would imposed on the reader's imagination. Instead, the text would be interspersed with informative depictions of subjects mentioned by Melville. It took 14 months to print this folio copy of Moby Dick. Bound in full white leather with the illustrated image of a whale debossed on the front cover and titling to the spine. With beautiful blue endpapers. The text was set by hand in Goudy Modern, with initial letters printed in blue at the start of each of the 135 chapters in Leviathan Capitals, a special alphabet designed for the purpose by Charles Bigelow & Kris Holmes. Printed on Barcham Green's handmade paper, which is watermarked with the outline of a whale. Very light occasional foxing to fore-edges, not affecting the text pages. Housed in a custom box covered with gray cloth bearing a title label printed on the same white leather used on the special binding. Accompanied by the prospectus. In fine condition. Measures 10 x 15 x 3 inches. 577 pages. PRI/091924.

A scarce and beautiful example from one of the 20th century's finest press books which was illustrated by Barry Moser. This leaf is pgs. 525/26 and includes the beginning of chapter 126, "The Life-Buoy," with colored initial. This leaf was presented by Hoyem to Colophon, the Associates of SMU Libraries (later became the friends of), on January 20th, 1980. We are unsure how many exist; no record of this in OCLC, and we have not seen another for sale. 14.5x11" leaf laid in 15.5x12.5" folder lettered in blue on front cover. Light edge wear to leaf else a near fine example in toned and lightly wrinkled folder.

Barry Moser (illustrator). For sale is a copy of the University of California edition of the Arion Press Moby Dick, one of 750 in uncommonly collectible condition. FROM THE COLOPHON Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, by Herman Melville, has been reproduced by the University of California Press from the edition designed by Andrew Hoyem, printed and published by the Arion Press in San Francisco, California. The Arion edition was limited to 265 copies, of which 250 were 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. Members of the Arion Press who assisted in the production of the original edition were: Pauline Christensen, Margaret Green, Lester Lloyd, Abigail Potter, Gerald Reddan, and Glenn Todd. The printing commenced in March 1978 and was completed in May of 1979. The original pages were photographed for reproduction in the University of California Press edition by Charles R. Wood. The printing was done by The Kingsport Press. This California Deluxe Edition is limited to 750 copies. In near fine condition - mild signs of handling on the slipcase, and a small hit of a bump on the corner of the slipcase as well. Otherwise, a surprisingly bright and square, issue free edition of a significant book. Enquire directly for PayPal invoicing and free shipping within North America.