A SPHINX'S FIELD GUIDE TO QUESTIONABLE ANSWERS.
Asparagus Valley (Hadley): Double Elephant Press, 2004. 7 1/2 x 10. 16 leaves,many are double and fold out. Printed throughout with wood type & chiaroscuro woodcuts in several colors on Japanese handmade paper. Bound by Mark Tomlinson in die-cut flax fiber printed wraps. In a red flax chemise with ivory ankh closure. Fine copy in a fitted tray case also containing:
*Operating Instructions, a large Key to the Wood Type, and the 10 x 29 inch broadside prospectus (signed by Kuch).
*Two original engraved engraved woodblocks (1 cherry, 1 walnut) with the image of the Sphinx and dancing angels.
*Original watercolor of a sphinx holding a very tall pin, while 3 angels dance on the pin's head. Signed & dated by Kuch.
*An extra suite of 13 full-page images in the book; one image is signed and numbered ix/xv; in parchment folder.
*18 proofs of wood type & images, in parchment folder. Item #18261
No. ix of xv deluxe copies with an original water color, wood blocks, an extra suite of illustrations, and working proofs. During this period, Michael Kuch created all his illustrations first as water colors, before his engravings or etchings. The chiaroscuro woodcuts in Sphinx were cut in cherry blocks & then offset onto walnut wood (chosen for its open grain to produce a linear element). The walnut blocks were cut to create the backgrounds.
A marvelously inventive, colorful, exuberant work -- unriddle the riddles, solve the cryptogram, septsec the circumference of the a circle, and behold the sacred geometry of the Great Pyramid.
Price: $4,500.00