Hardcover
Belladonna
Aurora, CO: Ravenpress, 2005. Approximately 1 3/8 x 1 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #9. Cosmetics case, with printed foil label, slightly worn with small bits of foil missing, in very good condition; Three accordion miniature books have polymer clay covers with laser print transfer, illustrated, numbered and signed on the colophon on the back of the case by the publisher, in fine condition.
Created as part of a series using cosmetic tools and containers as structure, this piece contributes to an ongoing commentary on the harms of the cosmetic industry. Three accordion books detail various aspects of the Belladonna plant (Deadly Nightshade). This plant, although toxic, has been used medicinally and as an aid to beauty as its ingestion enlarges the pupils of the eye (a look that indicates sexual arousal and is known as 'bedroom eyes'). Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
London Almanack for the Year of Christ 1818
(London): (Printed for the Company of Stationers), 1818. Unpaginated. Approximately 1 1/4 x 2 1/4". Original red morocco slipcase with onlays in cream and green, gilt-tooled throughout, in fine condition; Pink outer wraps, most likely replacing a cover that usually matched the slipcase, first page called "Common Notes", all edges gilt, a good copy.
These miniature booklets have been published from the late 17th century until the Victorian era, and give monthly information for eclipses, phases of the moon, saints days, as well as lists of Royals and Lord Mayors, bank transfer days and other banking rates. In this copy, there is a folding view of the Royal Dramatic College.
London Almanack for the Year of Christ 1868
(London): (Printed for the Company of Stationers), (1867). Unpaginated. Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 1/4". Original red morocco with onlays in cream and green, gilt-tooled throughout, some parts of covers and spine missing, all edges gilt, gift inscription on rear endpaper, matching slipcase partly faded and a few chips to edges, else a very good copy.
These miniature booklets have been published from the late 17th century until the Victorian era, and give monthly information for eclipses, phases of the moon, saints days, as well as lists of Royals and Lord Mayors, bank transfer days and other banking rates. In this copy, there is a folding view of the Royal Dramatic College.
Opening a Shell (Shell Book 5)
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 2001. Approximately 2 7/8 x 2 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 15 copies, this being #8. Outer box has mustard cloth and maroon illustrated and textured paper along with title label on spine, in fine condition; inside of box has five hanging cowry shells suspended from the top of the box with attached handing text, laser printed on unryu tissue, illustrated on the back of the inner box, visible only by moving the hanging objects, numbered and signed on the inside box spine by the publisher, in fine condition.
Pushing beyond typical erotic content, this box-style book explores auto-erotic sensations from a female perspective. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
Perfumed Garden
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 2002. [24] pp. (Box) Approximately 1 1/2 x 3 x 2". LIMITED EDITION of 20 copies, this being #17. Outer box is highly decorative carved stone with brass hinge, printed bottom liner, in fine condition; Marbled paper over boards with printed title label on front cover, printed as leaves and pasted to form pages, and pasted to endpapers to mount in marbled boards without spine, copies of watercolor illustrations, numbered and signed on the colophon by the publisher, in fine condition.
From page 1: "The Perfumed Garden by Sheikh Zefzawi is likely the most famous of the Arab love manuals. This miniature book is based on Nafzawi's descriptions of the eleven basic lovemaking postures". Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
Re-rooting
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 1997. [18] pp. Approximately 1 3/8 x 1 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 26 copies, this being #26. Paper covered box with wood, shell and bone sculpture on lid in fine condition; miniature book has paper covered board with bone, seed, ribbon closure, 5 illustrations, laserprint on paste paper and chiri tissue, signed and numbered on the colophon by the publisher, in fine conditon.
The text is excerpted from Donna Jackson's poem Re-rooting, © 1991. Bailey says that this book references her own awareness of union with earth and questions the notion of ever leaving the natural world. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural re-design and innovations.
Sinking to Heaven
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 2001. (Box) Approximately 1 1/2 x 3 x 2". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #12. Outer box is dark wood with decorative brass onlays, in fine condition; Color copies from watercolor paintings with Mohawk Superfine text that are laminated to museum boards with burgundy and orange ribbons, two-sided, six paneled Jacob's ladder construction, numbered and signed on the colophon by the publisher, in fine condition.
This is the second book in the miniature pillow book series. Bailey uses evocative language and richly erotic imagery to refer to passions that remain indescribable. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
The Story of Word Pictures
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1984. 14 pp. Approximately 2 x 2 1/8". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, the first fifty are hand-painted and bound in leather, this being #197 of the regular printing. Pale green paper wrap with design and title on cover and spine in fine condition. Green boards with design on front cover, printed on a hand-operated printing press on Peter's handmade paper, one minor foxing spot on rear endpaper, numbered on the colophon, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas 11).
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. This is a lovely little book with elfin maidens and wizards and words by the author on how to gather pictures in your own head.
The Well Known Family Game
Germany: n.p., (ca 1920). First edition presumed. Slipcase with chips and small loss of paper affecting two words of the instructions, glossy illustration to front cover, directions to the game on back cover, in good + condition. Twelve cards, 1 1/2 x 2 1/4", cards titled and crudely illustrated in blue, some with roughly trimmed edges (as issued), in about near fine condition.
An apparently unrecorded gambling card game, manufactured in Germany in the early 20th century from cheap materials. The cards are lettered in pairs from A to F and illustrated with members of several "families" such as George Brown, Mrs. John Smith, etc.
There are Names for Those Acts (Which We Long to Perform)
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 2001. (Box) Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 5/8 x 13/16". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #11. Outer box is dark wood with brass decorations, in fine condition; Accordion hinged boards with paste and marbled papers, book opens to 2 x 9", color laserprint from original watercolors, numbered and signed on the colophon by the publisher, in fine condition.
This is the first book in the miniature pillow book series. Based on the traditional instructional pillow books given couples on their wedding night, this two-sided accordion contains six secually explicit watercolors paired with six physical and spiritual descriptions of the 'embraces of love' taken from ancient Asian texts. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.