The book of the anonymous
By: John Yau & Max Gimblett
Contributors: Gimblett, Max, 1935-; Laozi; Bertolo, Diane; Clay, Steven, 1951-; Mills, Susan (Susan E.); Gallo, Philip; Granary Books (Firm); Hermetic Press
Publisher: Granary Books
Published: 2012
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 28
Subjects: Artists' books; Specimens
Description: "The Book of the Anonymous is one of the most mysterious, surprising and beautiful books published by Granary Books. Acclaimed poet and art critic John Yau wrote the poem in 2009 in response to several translations of the "Tao Te Ching" given to him by Max Gimblett. Upon receipt of the manuscript Gimblett created a series of more than one hundred drawings and collages incorporating rare and unusual handmade papers from around the world. The Granary Books publication comprises the twenty-four part poem and twelve of the remarkable images; each book includes an original ink drawing by Gimblett on the cover"--Publisher's website.

The text and images were printed letterpress by Philip Gallo at the Hermetic Press; the collages incorporate gold-leaf, photography, photocopy and drawing. The non-adhesive binding was created by master binder Susan Mills. Through a series of ingenious folds and couplings, the pages are gathered together and sewn to cloth-backed boards. Each copy in the edition is signed by poet and artist and housed in a handmade silver cloth-covered clamshell box with spine label also made by the binder. The edition of 33 + 2 proofs is limited by the scarcity of many of the papers.
Notes: "Edition of 33 ... Each copy is signed by poet and artist"--Colophon.

"Produced by Diane Bertolo, Steve Clay and Susan Mills. ... The typography is by Steve Clay, the binding by Susan Mills. Philip Gallo printed the book at the Hermetic Press. The collages were made at Max Gimblett's studio with assistance from Matt Jones, Giovanni Forlino and Kristen Reyes. The papers used ... include Kinkami black, Cal Ling autumn, Tamashiki orange, Kingin Furi tan, Sunomi silver, Sunomi kraft, Yuzen cream, Kyoto M25 white, Tairei #1 white, Philippine Banana Bark alabaster and Gampi Smooth 43"--Colophon.

"John Yau wrote the poem in 2009 in response to several translations of the "Tao te Ching" given to him by Max Gimblett. Upon receipt of the manuscript Gimblett created a series of more than one hundred drawings and collages incorporating rare and unusual handmade papers from around the world. The Granary Books publication comprises the twenty-four part poem and twelve of the remarkable images; each book includes an original ink drawing by Gimblett on the cover. ... The text and images were printed letterpress by Philip Gallo at the Hermetic Press; the collages incorporate gold-leaf, photography, photocopy and drawing"--Publisher's Web site, viewed Dec. 13, 2012..

Printed on double leaves.

Black cloth boards; open spine, with exposed stitching. Original drawing by GImblett in black ink on silver on front cover. "The non-adhesive binding was created by master binder Susan Mills. Through a series of ... folds and couplings, the pages are gathered together and sewn to cloth-backed boards. Each copy in the edition is ... housed in a handmade silver cloth-covered clamshell box with spine label also made by the binder"--Publisher's Web site.

Rare Book copy: No. 21.