On the rocks

Printed on the ice of White Bear Lake, Minnesota: Ampersand Club, 1997. Edition limited to approx. 120 copies, this one of 80 copies in gray wrappers, paper label on upper cover; sq. 24mo, pp. [15]; wood-engraved title-page vignette by Gaylord Schanilec; very fine. "The untitled and anonymously-compiled word-list was discovered in a small notebook in the library of M.F.K. Fisher. To the first leaf of the manuscript, in Fisher's hand, was attached the following note: "Definitions (alcoholic) by whom? Why? Found in old binder." The manuscript consisted of 15 pages on graph paper, in pencil, and in a shaky, juvenile hand; but that it was compiled by an adult seems beyond question. The book was printed by the Ampersand Club at its winter meeting on Super Bowl Sunday in 20 degree below zero weather in the middle of White Bear Lake in an ice-fishing house. The Club believes it is the first time a book has been printed "on the ice" in the western hemisphere. Quarter to Midnight A.57.b. (Inventory #: 57935)