[Cheloniidae Press]—Alan James Robinson. A Fowl Alphabet. One of five copies—artist's proof numbered "A/2"—accompanied by a small archive of related material

[CHELONIIDAE PRESS] — ALAN JAMES ROBINSON

A FOWL ALPHABET, TWENTY-SIX WOOD ENGRAVINGS BY ALAN JAMES ROBINSON. [EASTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS]: CHELONIIDAE PRESS, 1986

2 volumes, 8vo (8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.; 216 x 140 mm). Bound volume: title printed in black with the word "fowl" lettered by hand, half title, text and colophon printed in brown and black, 26 wood-engraved plates of birds by Robinson, presented in alphabetical order according to their common name, each with their name and their scientific name added beneath in variously colored inks in a fine calligraphic hand by Suzanne Moore, the letter of the alphabet added above each plate in manuscript by the same hand, colophon/limitation leaf signed and numbered "A/2" in pencil by Robinson. Original limp vellum by Grey Parrot, flat spine gilt lettered.  Chemise: an additional suite of the 26 wood-engraved plates, each signed and numbered "A/2" in pencil, a set of 26 blind-stamped impressions of the line cut initials produced for the regular limited edition, 1 original pen, ink and watercolor drawing on vellum (sheet size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in.; 113 x 113 mm) of the head of the Toucan, extra-illustrated with two copies of the original prospectus, one signed by Robinson. Unbound, as issued, within original vellum-backed cloth-covered boards. Both volumes contained within a single vellum-backed cloth-covered box, spine titled and dated in gilt with the Sea Turtle device at the foot of the spine.

[with:] A boxed collection of three folders containing a paste-up, original artwork, and a set of watercolor drawings, all relating to the production of A Fowl Alphabet, together with an explanatory 3pp. TLS from Robinson, folders contained within a single cloth box, with a calligraphic manuscript title label inset on the spine.

Details of archive available upon request.

One of five copies—artist's proof numbered "A/2"—accompanied by a small archive of related material

Entire edition was limited to 231 signed and numbered copies, including 31 "Full Vellum Edition" copies, and "five artist's proofs." 

The present lot offers a unique archive of material, chronicling the genesis of the Cheloniidae Press' twelfth book, and one of Alan James Robinson's most successful productions. The book is described in the prospectus as "a collaboration of twenty-six wood-engravings by Alan James Robinson and a newly designed alphabet by Suzanne Moore. The text was culled from 'Animate Creation,' by Rev. J.G. Woods, Vol. II Birds 1885. the text explains that the classification of birds depends largely on the shapes of their beaks or bills. The bird portraits, arranged alphabetically, consider the more diverse and curious forms that beaks have taken through evolution … Two hundred and thirty-one books were printed by Harold P. McGarth at Cheloniidae Press … during the Fall of 1986. The type was set by Mackenzie-Harris with some handset by Arthur Larson … This book was designed by Alan James Robinson, Arthur Larson, and Suzanne Moore."