Bird & Bull Press - Oak Knoll Books

18. (Incline Press) Myers, Colin.
THE BOOK DECORATIONS OF THOMAS LOWINSKY.
Oldham: Incline Press, 2001, large 4to., half cloth with pattern paper-covered boards, cloth-covered slipcase with paper spine
label. (ii), 120, (4) pages. $ 310.00
One of 245 numbered copies, from a total
issue of 250. Often labeled as surrealist,
the unusual, sometimes even bizarre visual
images created by Lowinsky combined
with his cool, jazz-age wit and dedication
to making his shapes suit the pages with
which they were associated, produced some
of the finest books of the 1920s and 30s. The
body of the book traces the development
of Lowinsky’s book decorations, evaluating
both contemporary and modern reviews
and prospectuses. Ninety illustrations,
two of which are hand colored. Includes a
memoir by his daughter, Katherine Thirkell
and a full bibliography prepared by Oliver
Clark, which includes details of variant
bindings and U.S. editions. Printed on
acid-free Magnani paper with various hand
and mould made papers used for the plates
to approximate the originals as much as
possible. Bound by hand in the workshop of
Stephen Conway using a new printing of one
of Lowinsky’s Curwen designs to cover the boards. [64608]
19. (Laboratory Press) Garnett, Porter.
A DOCUMENTARY ACCOUNT OF THE BEGINNINGS OF THE LABORATORY
PRESS, CARNEGIE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Pittsburgh: The Laboratory Press, 1927,
tall 8vo., parchment-backed boards, paper
spine label. xiv, 131, (49) pages. $ 400.00
First and only edition, limited to 255
copies. One of the more elusive of
American private press bibliographies.
Well-illustrated. The Laboratory Press was
founded in 1923 as part of Carnegie. It was
set up to give students a chance to see what
hand printing and illustration involved.
Many of the students went on to become
involved in the printing industry. This
excellent book is the best book produced
by the press and not only gives a history,
but demonstrates throughout the design
work of the press. Includes five full-page
calligraphic initials in red. Spine is age
darkened with cover soiling. Chip in hinge
at top of front cover and wear at tips.
[73698]
10 Oak Knoll Special Catalog No. 12