Category Archives: Breon Mitchell – Franz Kafka

Fine Bindings for CODEX and other news!

29 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Breon Mitchell - Franz Kafka, CODEX, In the Penal Colony, Kenneth Grahame, Letterpress, Mad Parrot Press, Presentation bindings, The Wind in the Willows, Vladimir Zimakov

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It’s been a busy few weeks getting ready and I’ll be heading to Berkeley starting this Friday to once again attend Codex – CODEX VII Nordica – what is now the biggest fine press fair in the world. Come see me at table #159 about 2/3 of the way to the back on a corner along the left side of the aisle, you can’t miss me. For this big show I’ve prepared a couple presentation bindings of my latest book, a new translation of Franz Kafka’s In the Penal Colony as well as some of my earlier book editions. One of them may be spoken for already and I’m down to my last few copies of this book.

And another one in a similar motif – I’ve been using a printed sheet for the endpapers that evokes a topographic map as the Penal Colony takes place on an island so decided to continue that on these covers. Both have Hewit spines and dark blue Harmatan goat on the covers that has been extensively blind tooled, both have various onlays of other leather bits are complete in a drop spine box with spine label. Actually, I’m still working on these a bit, fiddly bits….

The Wind in the Willows — Kenneth Grahame

I will also have with me a prototype page layout for The Wind in the Willows to accompany the first illustration we’ve (Mad Parrot Press) commissioned from Vladimir Zimakov. Conveniently, Vladimir has a table right next to me so we can answer questions and take in the love that surrounds this wondrous book. I’ve gotten more inquiries about this book already than any other ever except maybe the long gone Heart of Darkness and it’s great to share the excitement with people. Here is Pan as found by Rat and Mole during their search for Otter’s poor lost boy Portly from the chapter “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. In the book it’ll match the text block size and be a generous three color plate of 8 x 9.25 inches – we hope to have at least ten more of these from Vladimir for the book!

final print comb 5

Apologies for the less than ideal photos. There hasn’t been much sunlight here in Northern Michigan these last couple weeks. Plenty of five degree days plunging to -20 at night and an abundance of snow approaching three feet now. It’ll be good to go to California, I’ll take 60 degrees and rain about now no problem even if I have to dig myself into my house and studio when I return.

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Our poor snowmen are now “at one” with their world….

In the Penal Colony, Kafka – new edition binding!

25 Tuesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Breon Mitchell - Franz Kafka, Dellas Henke, Fine Press Book Association, In the Penal Colony, Letterpress, Oak Knoll Fest, PR and Media releases

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I am pleased to present the first bound copy of In the Penal Colony by Franz Kafka. This new translation by Breon Mitchell was done especially for this Deep Wood Press edition along with the sublime etchings by Dellas Henke. Please read earlier blog posts for details on the journey of this 2+ year long project. Here are the specs for this initial prototype binding structure made for show at the quickly approaching Oak Knoll Fest XX in New Castle, Delaware October 5-7th.

The book comes in at 35 pages of printed text with a title page printed in 3 colors on Somerset Book White making 4 sections. This copy is bound on leather cords laced into the boards and quarter bound with black Moroccan Goat and sienna Fabriano Text paper (circa 1950’s) with a copper foil title on the cover. The flyleaves on this copy are the same Barcham Green “Windover” stock used for the 3 deluxe copies of the edition. The endpapers and slip case covering are printed Cartiere Magnani Revere evoking the island our story transpires at. 10 1/8 x 13 1/4 x 5/8″ (25.5 x 33.5 x 1.6cm)

For the rest of the edition I plan to make drop spine boxes for the book but because of time constraints opted for the slipcase for this copy. The binding style may change as well but for now I am content with this “salesman’s sample”. A reminder; Dellas, Breon and myself are splitting this edition 3 ways giving us each 10 copies to sell, 2 artists proofs and 1 deluxe on the Windover stock. Pricing for the book is $1000 unbound in sheets and we will each sell bound copies as well but that price will fluctuate with whatever binding treatment it is given. My bound copies will start at $1350. Inquiries may be made to me here.

 

Kafka, Penal Colony, Oak Knoll XX!

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Breon Mitchell - Franz Kafka, Dellas Henke, Letterpress, Oak Knoll Fest

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Just in case you all thought I might be dead or lost or something I thought I’d get these bits out during a slow moment before ink once again rules the day. Yes, Kafka will be ready soon and those of you venturing to Oak Knoll Fest XX coming up in a few short weeks in New Castle, Delaware on October 5-7th will be the first to see it. This new exquisite translation by Breon Mitchell with six etchings by Dellas Henke is sure to please. The books are nearly ready and all the other bits necessary for trekking across the country are falling into place. Check back soon for some initial binding shots:  
If you can’t make it to Oak Knoll (going to be a great one) then I’ll have details up for book purchasing and final binding details on my return in mid October. I’ll also be attending CODEX VII in Febuary 2019 where I will have copies of the book as well as a preview of the upcoming Mad Parrot release of The Wind in the Willows as well as what is available of previous editions.