Going Down Singing; A Poem in Nine Parts by Robert Bringhurst with ten burnished aquatints by Joseph Goldyne

Camden, ME: Two Ponds Press, 2017. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. One of 50 copies for sale, slim folio, [30] pp., signed by both Robert Bringhurst and Joseph Goldyne. The poetry of Robert Bringhurst, OC (b. 1946) "draws on his experiences with Native American myths and storytelling, as well as his training in philosophy, comparative literature, and linguistics. Bringhurst’s work is known for its wide-ranging intellectual curiosity and linguistic clarity" (n.b., from the web site of the Poetry Foundation).

Joseph R. Goldyne (b. 1942), is best known for his monotypes and aquatints; in addition to being an artist, he is also an author and co-founder of 3EP Ltd. Press. His work is in major institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Met, the National Gallery, the V&A, and more (n.b., info from Wiki).

The Two Ponds Press brought together the talents of Bringhurst and Goldyne in this, their ninth publication. Per an excellent piece by Leah Dobrinska on the web site of Books Tell You Why (published online August 26, 2016), "Two Ponds Press has a vision: to celebrate and reinvent the fine art press. The Press succeeds in doing just that by working with artists from all over the world to create new and exciting pieces of fine printing."

Scarce in the online marketplace: as of this writing we see no other copies online, and our search of OCLC locates eighteen copies with institutions.

___DESCRIPTION: Quarter blue morocco with both gold and silver lettering stamped onto the spine, the sides covered in changeable silk of blue and gold, fore-edge uncut, title page in red and black, bound in throughout are the ten aquatints by Goldyne, each signed by him in pencil below the plate, interspersed are the nine parts of the poem by Bringhurst; Linotype Aldus (for the text) on BFK Rives lightweight, letterforms designed by Hermann Zapf, slim folio (the box measures 13 7/8" by 6 7'8"), [30] pp., this copy no. 14 of 50 standard copies for sale (total edition of 89 which includes ten special copies and proof copies), the publisher's device in red at the colophon, signed by both Bringhurst and Goldyne at the colophon. With the publisher's prospectus, a single sheet folded thrice for nine pages, the front a mirror of the title page, the first two of the inner pages samples of an aquatint and the first poem part, the third of the inner pages a short essay on the art of the aquatint, the verso pages with standard prospectus information and bios on the author and artist. Both housed in the publisher's drop-back box covered with changeable silk in shades of blue and grey, blue leather spine label with silver lettering, the interior lined with ivory felt.

___CONDITION: Fine: the leather on the book smooth and supple, the boards clean, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; we acquired this volume directly from the publisher, it is as new; the prospectus also fine, clean and without wear, as is the box. A stunning example of a lovely production.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

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