If There Were No Books.... [portfolio] by [Cheloniidae Press] Robinson, Alan James, designer and artist; Charles E. Roberts, quote and concept; - 2019

Easthampton, MA: Cheloniidae Press and Wonder Books Editions, 2019. Fine. Letter K of 26 lettered copies, lettered and signed by the book artist and Roberts of Wonder Books Editions. This portfolio is an impressive new production from Alan James Robinson and his Cheloniidae Press. The press has issued many fine limited edition books since its founding in 1979 by master printer and artist Robinson. Now he and Roberts and letterpress printer Arthur Larson have collaborated to create this homage to great books and authors that have influenced and changed lives. The portfolio has a suite of letterpress broadsides each beginning with the phrase "If there were no books." They honor Hound of the Baskervilles, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Unicorns, Moby Dick, Headless Horseman, Nevermore, Black Cat, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Ophelia, Alice in Wonderland, Call of the Wild, and Jabberwocky. There are one hundred broadsides to be sold individually and an additional thirty available in portfolios, lettered A-Z , with four Artist Proofs. Each portfolio has twelve broadsides from original pen and ink drawings by Robinson. He has lettered and signed each one. This special set also includes copies of two of the illustrations that are hand watercolored by the artist - Alice in Wonderland and Jabberwocky. There is an additional suite of twelve different illustrations for these works that will only appear in print in these thirty portfolios. The type and illustrations are printed from polymer plates on Cranes Lettra paper. The two suites are each in a stiff paper folder housed in a tan linen portfolio and housed in a linen clamshell box with a paper title label affixed to front cover. They are accompanied by a title page and colophon. In fine condition. Measures 11 x 14 inches. PRI/121219.