SF Fine Press: Lawrence A. Patterson, "Queen Melanie and the wood-boy" 36/110

Description: Scarce, scarce, scarce. Only two copies located in Worldcat libraries. One of the finest poems of tragic author Richard Middleton, illustrated by Lawrence A. Patterson. #36 of just 110 copies printed letterpress by Lawton R. Kennedy in San Francisco for Johnck & Seeger, December 1931. With the elegant bookplate of Herbert McLean Evans, the American anatomist and embryologist best known for co-discovering Vitamin E. "Henry Savage in his biography of Richard Middleton s says: "More the product of the enchanter is Queen Melanie and the Wood-Boy, which sets me thinking of qualities characteristic of the work of the master artist among poets and master craftsman, Keats. It has beauty, cer- tainly, has this Queen Melanie. There is color in it and deep natural feeling; art's lordly pleasure-house and the world of nature are here, and finely contrasted. More objective than most of its author's work, its theme is the woman weary of all sensual enjoyment and craving the motherhood she has not experienced." Printer Lawton R. Kennedy (1900-1980) worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for his entire career. Considered one of the best letterpress pressmen in America for decades, Kennedy’s work is forward-thinking, and he was known for embracing technological innovation while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship. After beginning his career printing church bulletins for his father, Kennedy grew to be in high demand for trade presswork, working for well-known Bay Area printers such as John Henry Nash, Johnck & Seeger, Jane Grabhorn's Colt Press, and Albert Sperisen's Black Vine Press. In 1933, Kennedy went on to print over 200 works of limited edition books and other high quality printing bearing his own name, briefly collaborating with his brother Alfred, and later his son of the same name. Most of Kennedy’s books were designed in the “English revival” tradition; this can be seen through the distinct typography, and the inclusion of wood and linoleum prints to compliment text. Kennedy is an important fixture in printing history because he embraced printing technology as an ever-changing thing; this opinion is in strong contrast to other notable printers of his time, who valued the tradition of centuries-old printing techniques and materials. Kennedy’s support of new processes, new materials, economically sound procedures, and the superiority of the cylinder press make him an important source of information on the progression of printing technology during the 20th century and its sociological implications.

Price: 135 USD

Location: Decatur, Georgia

End Time: 2024-11-09T13:30:38.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.75 USD