James Reid: Selected Wood Engravings
[Boston]: Brier Hill Press, 2013. Limited Edition. Folio [34 cm] Designed by Michael Russem at Kat Ran Press. Printed by Arthur Larsen at Horton Tank Graphics. Frontis, portrait, (12) pages of text in wraps, plus 32 wood engravings printed directly from the blocks. New. Item #57936
A retelling in dramatically bold black-and-white of one of the most sacred stories ever told. James Reid studied illustration at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art under Thornton Oakley, a disciple of the Brandywine School, founded by Howard Pyle, who was known as "The Father of American Illustration." Reid's "Life of Christ in Woodcuts" is viewed as one of the earliest wordless books ever published.
A lavish portfolio of wood engravings printed directly from the original blocks created by James Reid for "The Life of Christ in Woodcuts" and "The Song of Songs." "The Life of Christ in Woodcuts" has 19 engravings, and "The Song of Songs" has 13 engravings. Each print is numbered. The prints are laid into two paper portfolios. All contents housed in a fine green cloth clamshell case with a blind-stamped vignette on the front cover.
Both books were published by Farrar & Rinehart. "The Life of Christ," published in 1930, contained 78 illustrations. "The Song of Songs," published in 1931, had 30 engravings. The illustrations in the two books were printed from electrotypes. Only 42 wood blocks survived, all present here. This set is #55 of 125 numbered sets signed by the publisher.
Price: $1,500.00