The Shapes of the River: The London Thames
London: Gaberbocchus Press, 1955. First edition. 8vo, [40] pp, bound in cream cloth titled in blue at the spine. Illustrated dust jacket.
First and only edition of this beautiful artists' book, and the only book published by the artist. It is illustrated with color reproductions of prints featuring images of the river and the life alongside it that border on the abstract. "The images compose an atmospheric evocation of the London reaches of the Thames. Shapes of barges, cranes, bridges and cooling towers merge with elusive impressions of water, reflections, smoke and movement. The poetic text complements Gwen Barnard's images, which were made by such unorthodox tools as the wheel of a toy bicycle." - Biography of a Publishing House, no. 17.
An underappreciated landscape book deserving of a wider audience.
A bit of fading to upper margins of front board, and a hint of foxing to top edge of boards, else fine, in a near fine jacket with a couple of closed tears and some minor rubbing to extremites. Item #30059
Price: $100.00