The Ondt and the Gracehoper from Two Tales of Shem and Shaun

Chicago, Illinois: Joesph J. D'Ambrosio, 1975. Limited Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. As New/book built into slipcase. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Joseph J. D'Ambrosio. What a remarkable work of art! This edition of The Ondt and the Gracehoper, limited to fifty numbered copies (41) and five artists proofs, has been set in 18pt Bulmer and printed by The Compulsive Printer of Portage Indiana, on a Number three Vandercook proof press. The serigraphs which are quite striking, block prints and presentation case were all prepared by the artist, the late, great Joe D'Ambrosio The cover relief serigraph is gilded with 23 K gold. The story is taken from Two Tales of Shem and Shaun by james Joyce. The book appears to be a bound book, but is really a case and the pages are loose within it. The cover relief-serigraph was produced with 26 layers of silkscreen ink, and then gilded with 23K gold leaf. The last coat of ink is red and lies just below the top layer of gold. As the gold wears away, a red patina will slowly emerge allowing this edition to age gracefully. This device is fro the Italian gilder's craft of gold leaf over red clay. The binding is dark green Ultrasuede over board framing; pinwale corduroy sides and lining. A great piece of art and a great Joyce collectible. Internally flawless the framed clamshell box has small bump on front lower corner a little warped and slight rubbing due to the nature of ultrasuede.