Christopher, A.B.; d'Arbeloff, Natalie

The Word Accomplished with: Ephemera

London, England: NdA Press, 1980. First Edition Thus. Softcover. Inscribed & signed by Natalie d'Arbeloff to Thomas Rain Crowe. "This book is a facsimile reproduction of a handmade livre d'artiste published in England in 1974 in an edition of only 75 copies. Natalie d'Arbeloff, who produced that limited edition and illustrated it with her deep-etched color plates, also printed its text by hand...Her motive in undertaking such a...task...was to give flesh and permanence to a text which she felt would otherwise pass unheard and unseen, so quietly and anonymously was it previously presented...The author, A.B. Christopher (who prefers the anonymity of this pseudonym) approved of these extracts from his original, much longer book, now out of print...it was felt that the time is right to publish this facsimile edition so that the Word Accomplished can reach a wider audience everywhere." (from Preface) A stunning collaboration with excerpts from the Christian-spiritual writings of the elusive A.B. Christopher accompanied by reproductions of beautiful, relevant artworks by Natalie d'Arbeloff. On blank inner front cover, d'Arbeloff has hand-written & signed: "For Thomas Crowe/ with good wishes/ (signed) Natalie d'Arbeloff/ 26 Feb. 1984." Recipient & previous owner Thomas Rain Crowe is the acclaimed & prolific poet & publisher who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s (see our book, Starting from San Francisco, item No. 3071, Deluxe Edition No. 3075). Loosely included between inner front cover & endpaper are two pieces of interesting ephemera: (1) A promotional-ordering sheet, folded width-wise into two panels with printing on recto only, mostly with printed words & image but with handwriting which may be original or facsimile. There is a fine-print copyright reference at lower left corner with the date of 1980, which we have surmised is the date of this facsimile edition rather than the date of 1984 in the inscription noted above. affixed near lower edge is a mailing sticker for artist-publisher d'Arbeloff, apparently torn from another document. (2) a single sheet with printing on recto only entitled "Corrections In Preface" with a list of three errata (which we used to re-spell some of the words quoted from the Preface above). Large-format softcover original first edition thus in sewn binding. A most rare & rewarding production, even as a high-quality facsimile, with significant association & provenance. In fine condition with only mild-to-moderate rubbing, browning, spotting & light, faint creases to front, back covers & spine; mild wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; light spotting to edges of text block esp. upper edge. Interior very fine with only small, faint creases & bumps at blank upper corners of page leaves. Sticker with publisher's information over previous of same on copyright page located at last page leaf. Ephemera very fine, (1) folded as noted above; (2) with mild fading; spotting & browning near/at upper edge & corners. Fine. [Item #3695]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00