Item Details

Kuch, Michael.

A Sphinx's Field Guide to Questionable Answers * Field Guide Proofs: a Chronological Survey [Artist Book: Complete in Two Volumes].

Asparagus Valley [Hadley, MA]: Double Elephant Press, 2004. Super Deluxe Limited Edition. Original Wraps. Bound by Mark Tomlinson in Shannon Brock’s flax fiber wraps printed with a woodcut and wood type. Variously illustrated (first woodcut created in 1986) iteration of one of Kuch's most experimental and pleasingly complex works. Housed in matching drop spine boxes, the first box includes the book in a chemise, a signed original watercolor, a suite of the 13 wood engravings (signed and numbered II/XV), a large Key to the Wood Type, two woodblocks, a prospectus (signed), and "Operating Instructions." The second contains over 170 wood engraved state proofs and three woodblocks.
BOX 1: A fine copy of the book in a red flax chemise with ivory ankh closure in a fitted tray; also laid in are:
-Operating Instructions, a large Key to the Wood Type, and the 10x29 inch broadside prospectus.
-Two original engraved woodblocks (1 cherry, 1 walnut) with the image of the head of a Sphinx, a tree, shell, and parachute.
-Original watercolor of a sphinx matching the image on the blocks. Signed and dated by Kuch.
-An extra suite of 13 full-page images in the book, each signed by Kuch and numbered II/XV, in parchment folder.
-15 proofs of wood type and images, several double page, and one quad-fold state of the prospectus, some with penciled notations, in parchment folder.
BOX 2: Three wood blocks (the four pillars which created the '4' in 2004 and two versions of the sphinx; an additional copy of the prospectus; more than 170 state proofs in a parchment folder.
During this period, Kuch created all his illustrations first as water colors, before his engravings or etchings. The chiaroscuro woodcuts in Sphinx were cut in cherry blocks and 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. The book opens with double spreads depicting the answer to a familiar riddle, to which the reader is invited to guess the question. Others reveal geometry most likely used to construct the great pyramids. Illustration on p[19] has three flaps that open to reveal letters that change as the paper wheel within the double leaf is turned. The text, impeccably printed by Art Larson, is set in 19th century wood type from his collection. [Book, Art, Object page 154]. Fine in Fine Archival Box. Tight, bright, and unmarred. Tan cloth drop spine cases with printed paper onlays; bound in brown flax fiber wraps and housed in a red flax chemise with ivory ankh closure; various other elements housed in parchment folders or within the fitted boxes and printed in various formats throughout with woodcuts and chiaroscuro woodcuts in several colors on Japanese handmade paper. 4to. np. Illust. (color and b/w plates). Numbered limited edition, this being II of XV from a complete printing of 150. Signed by the artist. Item #12300

Price: $12,500.00