An Alphabet of Owls et cetera; With a Text suitable for all Children, Grown-ups, Non-readers, Ornamental Hermits, Et Alia.
Melbourne: Gryphon Books, 1981. First Edition. Folio : pp. [2 (title, imprint)], [27], [1 (limitation statement)] : linocut title and 27 large historiated linocut initials, text printed in red : original black cloth : red morocco title label with gilt illustration on upper board : spine lettered in gilt, black
endpapers : copy 116 of 140 (150 in total). Small chip to top of leather panel with some loss of gilt border (3mm); leaves rippled particularly at the head and tail and a small stain (1cm) to head of last two leaves. Item #15691
Friend’s Alphabet of Owls belongs to his late work, and combines his eye for the beautiful and the whimsical with fine printing techniques. ‘The humorous vein in his work had a serious purpose, in the tradition of English illustrators such as William Hogarth and Thomas Rowlandson, and Shakespearean clowns’ (ADB), and the fantastic tales of birds and their antics that accompany the alphabet are introduced by Friend with the words, ‘An Alphabet of Owls, Et Cetera ! – how lovely. Surely this is what the Fanatic Booklovers have been waiting for – especially those who can’t read, or would prefer not to, or would rather look at the pictures’.
Price: $1,200.00