WPA Federal Art Project - Printmaking in California, 1935-43

San Francisco: The Book Club of California [designed and typeset by Patrick Reagh], 2005. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. One of 450 copies, folio size, 135 pp., prospectus, signed by Elizabeth Seton. The Federal Art Project, instigated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of the New Deal, was created to employ thousands of artists across the country; this publication from the Book Club of California encompases printmakers working in California, and features a diversity of style and methods. Elizabeth Seaton writes in detail about each artist, as well as the historical context in which the works were made.

This volume was printed (truncated) at the shop of Patrick Reagh (b. 1948), son of Los Angeles photographer William Reagh, who has printed numerous fine press editions under his own imprint.

This copy signed by Elizabeth Seaton, which was not done for the entire edition.

___DESCRIPTION: Quarter black cloth with blue cloth boards, geometric design in black on the front board, yellow lettering on the spine, black endpapers, title page in red, yellow, blue, and black with geometric design, text in double columns, photographs and facsimiles of various artists' work, most in black and white, a few in colour, throughout; Metro Gothic and Minion types, Arches Velin paper, binding folio size (13" by 10"), pagination: [1-7] 8-132 [133-134] [1 colophon], one of 450 copies, unnumbered. With prospectus, one sheet folded once to four pages, printed in red and black, laid in. In clear mylar jacket.

___CONDITION: A fine copy; the covers clean, the corners perfectly straight and unrubbed, the binding tight with solid hinges, the interior clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; clean, crisp, and as new. The prospectus fine, clean and without wear. The mylar jacket is near fine, clean overall with a few light, stray marks. Note that the original Errata sheet is missing from this volume, a photocopied sheet is included for informational purposes.

___POSTAGE:  Please note that this is an unusually large and heavy volume, therefore additional postage may apply; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: 23092103)