The real world of Manuel Cordova

The real world of Manuel Cordova

Merwin, W. S. 1927-

Reprinted from Travels published by Alfred Knopf, Inc., New York, pp. 96-114 -- Colophon. Based upon actual events in the life of Manuel Cordova-Rios (1887-1978) as told to F. Bruce Lamb and subsequently published under the title, Wizard of the Upper Amazon. This special edition was printed from hand-set Samson Uncial type onto kakishibu, a persimmon-washed handmade paper The text, which is housed in an accordion-style binding, may be unfolded and read in hand, stanza by stanza, or opened entirely, thus revealing all forty-three, fourteen-line stanzas. Fully extended, the book is fifteen feet long. The image of a river undulates alongside the poem The river is printed from photopolymer plates in five colors gradually intermingling one after the other. The book is held within an enclosure of handmade papers-- the outermost being a loft-dried, 100 percent raw flax sheet made under the direction of Timothy Barrett at the Center for the Book Papermaking Facility at the University of Iowa. The enclosure is lined with kakishibu on which is printed a map of the world, the first to show the world's currents, drawn by Athanasius Kircher in 1665. The map is hand-tinted in five colors echoing the colors of the river. The enclosure is fastened with alum-tawed goat skin and bone. The design, presswork, and binding are by Carolee Campbell at Ninja Press. -- Prospectus.

1995

Sherman Oaks, Calif. Ninja Press

Indian captivities--Peru--Poetry

Artists' books--California

English

1 folded leaf : ill., map 10 x 34 cm

39362050811180

Art Spec Coll OS

PS3563.E75 T72 1995

Contained in a plexiglass slipcase

Limited ed. of 160 signed and numbered copies, along with 18 lettered hors commerce; OC copy 63/160 signed by the artist