You Can Judge a Book by Its Cover; A Brief Survey of Materials Middleton, Bernard; Pankow, David (Editor); Kavin, Mel (Foreword); Ritchie, Ward (Book Design); Morris, Henry (Printer); Miura, Tini (Binding Design); Miura, Einen (Endpapers); DePol, John (Artist) Books About Books,Miniature Books

One of 500 copies, miniature book, 167 pp., signed by the eight contributors, additionally inscribed by John DePol, with his Ex-Libris and the Ex-Libris of the inscribees. A stunning book which can indeed be judged by its cover.bound in full black leather, red and blue leather abstract designs cut in on both boards, the front additionally with a small gilt circle, both boards and the spine glittering with iridescent green and blue dots, the gilt top-edge with debossed green and purple dots.a magical book, and so far we've just looked at the exterior. Upon opening the book, one discovers the bright blue marbled endpapers by Einen Miura, and inside will be found seven wood engravings by John DePol, each section with a "chapter headpiece" of a gilt abstract design. The contributors to this book include some of the most talented: authored by Bernard C. Middleton, a skilled restorer of bindings as well as a prolific writer on the techniques of the craft; Ward Ritche (who designed the text), John DePol (contributor of the seven wood engravings), David Pankow (the editor), Henry Morris (the printer), Mel Kavin (who wrote the Foreword), the blue marbled endpapers by Einen Miura and the binding design by Tini Miura (note that all eight of these signed the book at the final blanks). Although not signed by him, Pat Reagh set the type. This copy one of the 100 which were reserved for contributors, hence unnumbered. Inscribed by John DePol "For Merce and Michael / With Affection / May 7, 1996 / John DePol". Merce and Michael were Mercedes Dostale and Michael Tarachow, of the Pentagram Press. Loosely laid into the clamshell case are two Ex-Libris, both clearly engraved by John DePol: one is DePol's own, the second being that of Merce Dostale and Michael Tarachow. A feast for both the eye and mind, with excellent provenance. ___DESCRIPTION: Bound in leathers and decorated as set forth above, blue marbled endpapers, double-spread title page with gilt decorations and rules; miniature (2 7/8" by 2 3/8"), pagination: [1-7], 8-161, [1, blank] [1, colophon], [2, blanks], [2, signature pages]. Enclosed in a clamshell case covered in black silk on the sides, black leather spine with an abstract red spine label with silver lettering, the inner tray lined with grey handmade paper. The two DePol Ex-Libris plates are less than 3", the wood engraving in black, the names in blue (John DePol) and red (Merce Dostale and Michael Tarachow). ___CONDITION: Volume fine, with clean boards, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; clean and as new. The clamshell case also fine, clean and without wear. Both Ex-Libris plates fine as well, clean and without wear. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.