Ruminations

Claremont, California: Scripps College Press, 2011. Limited Edition. Stitched Binding. Fine. One of 103 copies, folio size, [28] pp., signed by the students and Kitty Marryatt. The publications by the students of the Book Arts and Typography Class at Scripps College are some of the most imaginative we have ever seen, and this publication is no exception.

The work was inspired by the the 13th-century poet Jalaud'din Rumil, now known by most simply as "Rumi". Although a Muslim by faith, his poetry "seeks to deal with the more universal aspects of the human condition. He discusses the aspects of existance encountered by all individuals, and (truncated) continues to make profound, beautiful statements regarding even the most ortinary tasks and occurences..." (n.b, from the book's bio of Rumi).

The students in the Class chose a medieval text and provided their own commentaries as exegesis. This book unfolded as a poem by Rumi as interpreted by Coleman Barks, with the students' commentaries. The visual images "were inspired by the geometric structures of medieval book imagery. The colors of the linoleum blocks reflect the preponderance of lapis lazuli blue, crimson red and royal purple in medieval miniatures" (n.b., from the Colophon).

A true delight for both the eye and the soul. Scarce in the online markeplace, as of this writing there are no other copies online; our search of OCLC locates thirty institutional holdings.

___DESCRIPTION: Boards bound in Ginga Iridescent Orange bookcloth (introducing gold which was prevalent in medival manuscrips), binding Tyvek-reinforced tapes with gold thread which are attached to the covers, each page with a geometric design in various colours, signed by each of the students in the class and Professor Maryatt on the page facing the Colophon; types Scripps Old Style, Centaur, Arrighi, and Weiss (Initials) on Rives BFK paper, binding folio size (14 1/4" by 11 1/8"), unpaginated with fourteen leaves; limited edition of 103 copies, this no. 73.

___CONDITION: Fine overall, the cloth over the boards clean, the tape binding strong, straight corners with a modicum of rubbing, a square text block, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a lovely production.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.

___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 #: 22032603)