Fathoming
By: Jessica Spring
Publisher: Springtide Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Tacoma, Washington
Language: eng
Subjects: Ocean liners in art; Seafaring life in art; Maps in art; Naval art and science; Terminology; Cigarette cards; Specimens; Artists' books
Description: "Fathoming explores the origins of nautical terms, many familiar such as 'anchors aweigh' and others that have evolved into new usage, like 'bitter end.' Bound in an adaptation of Hedi Kyle's flag book structure, vintage tobacco cards depicting vessels sail across the book's interior while the back displays 1945 Japanese maritime maps. The front and back covers incorporate portholes which reveal prints of nautical terms and imagery"--Artist's statement at the Vamp & Tramp Booksellers' website, viewed on April 6, 2016.
Notes: Cover title.

Varied limited edition of seven copies, one for each of the seven seas.

"[L]etterpress printed with handset Latin Condensed and Bernhar Gothic with vintage maritime cuts. The edition includes a varied copy for each of the seven seas, featuring collectible tobacco cards sold with packages of cigarettes from 1924-37. Printed by Jessica Spring and bound in an adaptation of Hedi Kyle's flag book structure with Japanese maritime maps from 1945 [on exterior of concertina spine]. [Drop-spine] boxes bound and portholes scuttled by Gabby Cooksey"--Colophon.

Removable flags are held in place with sewing rather than attached to concertina spine (as in the traditional flag book binding by Hedi Kyle). Concertina attached at either end to blue cloth over boards with three circular cut-outs in each, displaying illustrations and the title. Spine is letterpress printed with various nautical terms and their definitions on recto, with historic maritime maps on verso.