Kora in Hell
Kora in Hell
By William Carlos Williams, prose-poetry from 1920, with an introduction by Lawrence Kart, and 21 prints by Mel Kendrick, signed, 1998. $600.00
Publication 56
ADD TO CARTWilliams, one of the most important poets of this century, wrote this book of prose-poetry in 1917. He reflects on daily events over the course of a year, his readings, thoughts, observations. To these statements, made in language plain-spoken yet rising to the beauty and imagination of his poetry, he appended further comments or interpretations to make them more intelligible to others. An essay in which Williams explains himself as a figure within the modern movement was added as a prologue. The critic Lawrence Kart claims that the great poetry Williams achieved “would not have been possible without the eruptive prose of Kora in Hell”. The book includes prints by contemporary artist Mel Kendrick whose own work is in the modernist lineage. Twenty-one images from three series of woodblock prints, each involving seven separate blocks in the form of long vertical sheets that can be rolled up like scrolls, have been separated and each occupy the recto page of a leaf in the book, with pages of text in between. The three long woodblock prints as originally conceived by Kendrick in the scroll format are published along with the book.
FORMAT
10 inches square, 106 pages, including 42 unnumbered pages for the 21 leaves bearing the prints. The types are Stymie Bold for the text and Franklin Gothic for display, in Monotype and hand composition. The paper is German mouldmade Zerkall. Proofs of the woodblock prints were photographically reduced to approximately 62% and made into photopolymer plates. The type and plates were printed by letterpress in black ink. Red ink is used on the title page. The binding is a black goatskin spine with title stamped in red, with boards covered with laser-cut veneer replicas of woodblocks by Kendrick, inked in black. Numbered and signed by the artist. Edition of 300.
Book with Extra Print: The three woodblock prints were printed by hand, from blocks cut by Mel Kendrick, by Stacy Petty and Robert Fisher in New York City, in black ink on Kozo natural, a Japanese paper. The prints are presented in tubes covered in oak veneer, inked in black, with a black goatskin cap, and with titling stamped in red. Print prices include a copy of the book. The three editions are each limited to 20 prints for sale. "Sperm" consists of 7 blocks, approximately 12 by 12 inches, on paper 91.5 x 20 inches. Order "Sperm" print with book, $3,800.00 total. "Helmet" consists of 7 blocks, approximately 12 by 12 inches, on paper 92.95 x 19.5 inches. Order "Helmet" print with book, $3,800.00 total. "Coupling" consists of 7 blocks, approximately 12 by 12 inches, each repeated once in a pattern for a total of 14 images, on paper 98.5 x 27.5 inches. Order "Coupling" print with book, $5,400.00 total.
POSTAGE: Additional postage may apply; please inquire for details.
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