Tartuffe [Molière] Poquelin, Jean-Baptist; Wilbur, Richard (Verse Translation and Introduction); Hamilton, William (Artist) Andrew Hoyem and Arion Press (New),Performing Arts

Folio, 14 7/9" by 11", 120 pages. The type is 16-point Van Dijck in Monotype composition by Mackenzie & Harris for the text, with larger sizes handset for display, and an ornamental type, Fontanesi, for the title, an initial letter, and act numbers. The names of characters are separated from the dialogue by a wavy rule. The rule, running heads, folios, decorative type, and speeches repeated in larger type beneath the illustrations are printed in burgundy ink. The illustrations were printed from photopolymer plates. The paper is Arches, a French mould-made sheet. The binding, done in-house, is hand-sewn, in full burgundy moiré satin with gold titling on the spine and front cover, and a protective mylar jacket. Edition of 300 numbered copies, plus 26 lettered copies hors de commerce, signed by the translator and illustrator. The course to publication of this book took many turns. It was first suggested by our literary agent, Fred Hill, who put Hoyem in touch with his friend Brian Bedford, a distinguished actor who specializes in Molière comedies. Photographs of a current production of "Tartuffe" proved impossible to obtain as illustrations. While waiting for another idea for the art, Hoyem got in touch with the poet Richard Wilbur, who had made an excellent translation of the play in rhymed verse, and obtained permission to use it. Then William Hamilton, the "New Yorker" cartoonist, came to mind. Hoyem had met Hamilton in 1978, and admired his liquid line and quick capturing of character and expression in his send-ups of WASPs. But could he do period costumes? Hamilton made seven charming drawings with the main characters in period dress and the servants in modern dress. To celebrate the publication, the Arion staff presented a staged reading from the play, directed by veteran actress and director Joy Carlin. Bruce Bolt, an eminent seismologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and an amateur actor, took a matronly role wearing a skirt with an elastic waistband, borrowed from his wife. This was the fifth volume in our drama series. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___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.