Search Results: Authors starting with C from Ursus Books

1931. CALDER, Alexander. Fables of Aesop According to Sir Roger L'Estrange. [6], 124, [10] pp., illustrated with 50 line-block reproductions after pen-and-ink drawings by Calder. 4to, 255 x 195 mm., bound in publisher's over boards, in the original cardboard slipcase, in a new half morocco folding box. Paris: Harrison of Paris, 1931. The publisher's copy of the deluxe issue of Calder's most significant book, illustrated with figures from Aesop constructed in the same style as his imaginary Circus figures and in his wire portraits and statues that dominated his creative output during the 1930s. This copy has an original signed Calder drawing for "The fox and the grapes", one of the more elaborate images in the book. The deluxe issue is especially sought after, being exquisitely printed on Spanish handmade paper incorporating coloured silk-threads. The Calder drawings for Aesop are creative and playful, marking this as a major example of modern book illustration. This… Read More

1969. Calder, Alexander. CALDER: An Autobiography with Pictures. 285 pp., profusely illus., 4to, 252 x 201 mm., wraps, in a new cloth folding box. New York: Beacon Press, 1969. A unique copy of Calder's autobiography embellished with a self-portrait drawing by Calder on the title page.

1929. CASSANDRE, A. M. ,[Bifur Typeface]. BIFUR WITH Words only, are important: alone, a letter is nothing. 2 volumes: 28 and 16 pp.; some pages intereaved with colored cellophane sheets. 8vos [260 x 175 mm], original wrappers in a new cloth folding box. Paris: Deberny & Peignot, 1929 and France: N.P., N.D. Cassandre designed the first booklet to introduce his typeface "Bifur" for the first time. In addition to the brilliant layout, Cassandre provide illustrations to accompany the type, creating an artist's book as well as a type-specimen book. Now rare, both were printed in small editions and never offered for sale. Fine copies of these two small masterpieces of modern design (Words... loose in binding).

1944. AVANT-GARDE GRAPHIC DESIGN. KVT. Koninklijke Vereenigde Tapijtfabrieken. Propaganda en Andere Planenvoor de Toekomst. 41 pp. text and 54 pages of collages, illustrated typescript, 2 pop-up dioramas. Small folio, 280 x 212 mm., original boards. Rotterdam: N.p., 1944. A splendid piece of avant-garde book design, reminiscent of Heartfield. Founded in 1797 KVT was a major manufacturer of carpets until its demise in 1995. A unique document outlining the business strategies and direction of KVT amidst WWII and following the destruction of their headquarters in Rotterdam as they sought to re-establish themselves in the international market.

1985. CELMINS, Vija. The View. Poems by Czeslaw Milosz. Unpaginated. Illustrated with four mezzotints by Celmins. Tall 4to., 377 x 280 mm, bound in original publisher's black morocco spine, grey paper over boards in matching slipcase. Uncut. New York: Library Fellows of the Whitney Museum of American Art, 1985. Considered to be one of the most important artist's books published by the Whitney Library Fellows. Celmins, American painter, sculptor, object-maker and draughtsman of Latvian birth, provided four mezzotints to accompany Milosz's poems in this beautifully printed book. Milosz's melodic words are a perfect accompaniment to the tranquil work of Celmins; the combination serves to create an ethereal symphony of words and image. Edition limited to 120 copies. Signed on the colophon by Milosz and Celmins. A fine copy.

1919. LEGÉR, Fernand. La Fin du Monde filmée par l'Ange N.-D. By Blaise Cendrars. [30 ff.], including 22 pochoirs and 6 line block reproductions. Folio, 315 x 250 mm., original illustrated wrappers, in a new cloth folding box. Paris: Editions de la Sirene, 1919. A very good copy of one of the outstanding illustrated books of this century. A dazzling symphony of shapes and colors, boldly placed on the page in the manner of Russian books of the same period. While 1200 copies were printed, very few copies have survived in acceptable condition. Pencil mark on cover, some wear to spine and corners. A Century of Artists Books 120. Cubist Prints/Cubist Books 64. Johnson, Artists' Books in the Modern Era 1870-2000, No26.

1919. CHARMAISON, Raymond. Les Jardins Précieux. Preface by Henri de Régnier. [vi], [8] pp. Illustrated with 8 full-page colour pochoir plates by Charmaison, plus coloured cover illustration and one black and white title illustration. Folio, 490 x 335 mm, bound in original publisher's printed paper folding chemise, preserved in new cloth folding box. Paris: Chez Meynial, 5 November 1919. First Edition. One of 8 copies accompanied by an original watercolour, this "La Treille Rose." A colourful example of Deco luxuriousness, which only pochoir printing under the guidance of Jean Saudé could achieve. One of the premier books of Art Deco illustration. These imaginary "Precious Gardens" are a testament to the power of the printed book as a vehicle for transporting the viewer/reader into the garden and a world of dreams. As Henri Régnier observes in the book's gold-printed preface: "Il contient quelques feuilles avec des… Read More

1927. CHERNIKHOV, Y.G. Iskusstvo nachertania [The Art of Graphic Representation]. 77, [3] pp., with black & white illustration throughout. 8vo, 170 x 130 mm., bound in publisher's white wrappers, in a new green cloth folding box. [Leningrad]: Knigoizdate'stvo Akademii khudozhetsv, [1927]. First edition of Yakov Chernikhov's extremely rare first book. Chernikhov (1889-1951) was an artistic visionary, best known for his elaborate architectural fantasies in his later works. The present book is an instructional for neophyte art students encouraging them to depict beauty and movement through abstract representations. Although a considerably more humble publication than his subsequent books, its fragile format has rendered it quite scarce. Neat ink ownership inscription on the cover and title page dated 1930. Spine a little worn, a near fine copy. Not listed on OCLC.

1931. CHERNIKHOV, Yakov. Osnovy sovremennoj architektury: eksperimental'no-issledovatel'skie raboty / J.G. Tchernikhov - Les bases de l'architecture contemporaine: essai de recherches expérimentales / J.G.Tschérnikhow - Die Grundlagen der modernen Architektur: erfahrungsmässige - experimentelle Forschungen / J.G. Tschernichow. 96 pp., illustrated with 46 photographically reproduced colour plates and numerous black and white designs. Folio, 304 x 206 mm., bound in original boards. Leningrad: Izdanie Leningradskogo Obscestva Architektorov, 1931. Second, enlarged edition (the first edition had only 5 plates). A fine copy of this rare treatise by the legendary Soviet architect Yakov Chernikhov, whose books are among the most visually striking of all Russian avant-garde books. One of the few copies we have seen that has not needed to be rebacked. Incredibly rare with OCLC listing no copies in the U.S. Getty Research Institute, Russian Modernism 129.

1941. CHURCHILL, Winston S. Broadcast Addresses to the People of Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Russia and the United States. [6], 57, [2] pp., arms of Great Britain on half-title. Folio, 404 x 274 mm, bound in recent half morocco. San Francisco: Printed for Ransohoffs by the Grabhorn Press, 1941. This Fine Grabhorn Press Edition prints six important speeches of Winston Churchill delivered at the onset of World War II. The dates of the broadcasts range from December 23, 1940 to June 22, 1941, and thereby represent crucial communications from England to the Italian peoples, the British Nation and Empire, a broadcast to Polish peoples around the world, two general reports on the War, and a report on the Atlantic Meeting. Limited to 250 copies, printed in blue and black on hand-made paper. With large six-line initials in gold and blue and the blue and gold crest of England on the half-title. Being printed by the Grabhorn's within months of the final broadcast, this publication has to be… Read More

2000. CLERGUE, Lucien. Eve est Noir. By Georges-Emmanuel Clancier. Illustrated with colour photographs by Lucien Clergue. 28 Loose leaves each with a 4 x 6 in. colour photograph, plus 1 colour laser-print. Housed in a linen-covered clamshell box. Arles: privately printed, 2000. Eve est Noir was originally published in 1982, and is here revisited together with a poem by Clancier, reproduced in facsimile, which it inspired, and a 1982 text by Clergue. The photographs all depict a black nude model photographed in various American locations from Point Lobos on the West Coast to Rockport, Maine in the East. As new. No. XVIII/XXX of a total edition of 45. Signed by Clergue and Clancier.

1986. CLEMENTE, Francesco. The Departure of the Argonaut. By Alberto Savinio. [102] ff. With 49 photolithographs, 46 in color and 3 in black on cream paper. Elephant folio, bound in original wrappers and beige linen box designed by Rudolph Rieser. London: Petersburg Press, 1986. Clemente's images are extraordinary and elevate this work to one of monumental bookmaking in conception, design, and production. The artist's designs range from monochromatic and brooding to intensely imaginary and vividly colourful. The text itself, first issued in 1917, is the travelogue and wartime diary of Alberto Savinio, one of the seminal figures in 20th-century Italian arts and letters. It is translated here from the Italian for the first time. Limited to 200 copies signed by the artist. Johnson, Artists' Books in the Modern Era 1870-2000, No. 169. Castleman, A Century of Artists Books, p. 217.

1960. CLERGUE, Lucien. Le Test des Vignes. 12 loose leaves, each with a 1 x 1 in. black and white photograph, set in folder in a cloth slipcase [3 x 6 in.]. Privately printed, 2000. A delightful little book which features twelve photographs of flooded vines in the Camargue taken in 1960. The title-page, colophon, and wrappers are written out by hand by Clergue, who also signed the rear cover. One of an edition of 500 copies.

2000. CLERGUE, Lucien. Le Taureau. Poem by René Char, illustrated with photographs by Lucien Clergue. Loose as issued in the original wrappers and slipcase. Montpellier: Lucien Clergue, 2000. A handsomely produced, photographically illustrated livre d'artiste. Char's poem is reproduced in facsimile, and then printed in fragments, each one accompanied by a photograph, and then separately at the end. Clergue has contributed a colour photograph of Rene Char, and 5 black and white photographs of bullfights. This is number 9 of an edition of 30 copies, with all the photographs signed by Clergue, who also signed the colophon.

1996. CLERGUE, Lucien. Saint- John Perse. Poete devant la Mer. Temoinage et Photographies de Lucien Clergue. Illustrated with photographs by Lucien Clergue. Folio, bound in original wrappers in a cloth slipcase. Biarritz: J & D Editions, 1996. $675.00 A handsome tribute to the poet Saint-John Perse which contains texts by various scholars and poets accompanied by an introduction by Clergue together with his photographs. One of an edition of 50 copies containing an original photograph of Perse, signed by Clergue, who also signed the colophon. There were 450 regular copies.

1980. CLERGUE, Lucien. Les Saltimbanques. Consisting of 8 pp. of illustrated text and 12 facsimile photographs by Lucien Clergue, plus 1 matted original photograph signed by Clergue on the photograph. Preserved in clamshell case within cloth slipcase. Marseille: Editions AGEP, 1980. An evocative selection of original photographs using of children dressed in costumes inspired by Picasso, to evoke the ephemeral and disappearing world of itinerant theatrical performers. Clergue states in the text that Les Saltimbanques was inspired by the film Orpheé by Cocteau and the film La Strada by Fellini. Limited edition of 100 copies signed and numbered by Clergue on the final page of the text and also on the original photograph.

1855. COCCHI, Francesco. Lezioni di prospettiva pratica nonchè regole abbreviatrici per disegnare le scene seguite da un facile metodo per la prospettica collocazione delle fi gure ne' quadri di storia. Seconda edizione. 2 volumes. Text volume: 2, 227 pp. and 2 folding plates. 8vo, publisher's wrappers with later linen spine. Plate volume: letterpress title page followed by 25 full page engraved plates. Oblong folio, 305 x 394 mm., bound in contemporary Italian quarter calf over marbled boards, green morocco label on front cover. Bologna: Società Tipografica Bolognese e Ditta Sassi, 1855. Second edition. A finely illustrated model book on perspective for set designers by Francesco Cocchi, a pupil of the Bolognese artist Antonio Basoli. The 25 plates show a large variety of perspective stage design, the last being richly animated with actors. The plate volume has a light waterstain to the last three leaves and minor rubbing to joints. The text volume has intermittent,… Read More

1948. MASSON, Andre. Le Dit du Vieux Marin [The Rime of the Ancient Mariner]. By Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 104, [6] pp. Illustrated with 12 lithographs. Small folio, loose in original printed wrappers, preserved in the original maroon chemise and slipcase. [Paris]: Collections Vrille, [1948]. While at first glance it might seem surprising to find Masson illustrating an English text, it becomes less so when one considers the surreal nature of much of the poem. One of an edition of 220 copies on Marais of a total edition of 269. Saphire and Cramer, ANDRE MASSON: The Illustrated Books. No. 23

1882. DORÉ, Gustave. The Doré Gallery: Descriptive Catalogue of the Pictures by M. Gustave Doré on view at 35, New Bond Street, London. By Francis Roubiliac Conder. 72 pp. 12mo., 130 x 105 mm, bound in publisher's pale blue printed wrappers. London: Fairless and Beeforth, 1882. A rare exhibition of catalogue of paintings by Doré exhibited at the Dore Gallery, which opened in 1874 to showcase his work, and which was a testimony to the tremendous popularity he enjoyed. OCLC lists copies at Mount Holyoke and the Frick. Small tear to head of spine with some loss, else fine.

1687. CONFUCIUS. Confucius Sinarum Sive Scientia Sinensis Latine Exposita. cxxiv, 108, 160, xx, 20, 8, [2], 23-108, [2] pp. Illustrated with engraved portrait of Confucius and a map of China engraved by François de Louvemont from a drawing by the Belgian missionary Philippe Couplet. Folio, 335 x 225 mm, bound in contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt. Paris: Daniel Horthemels, 1687. First western edition of the Latin Translation of Confucius's body of work, a collective enterprise of a group of European Missionaries. With a dedication to Louis XIV, preceded only by fragmentary translations. An early translation of Ta hsueh, Chung yung and Lun yu, three of the four Confucian texts chosen by the neo-Confucian philosopher Chu Hsi in 1190 to be included in the collection known as the SAshu ('Four Books'). The fourth book, the works of Mencius, and the reason for not printing it, are discussed in a note printed on p. 159 at the end of book three. The translation was done… Read More