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In
designing and making this book I have combined the beauty of Shakespeare’s
poetry with the charm of herbal woodcuts in a binding intended to reflect the
precious nature of both.
The book is bound by hand
in a brilliant kingfisher blue calf leather, decorated with a hand gilt
design of flowers and leaves. Each
impression is made individually with heated brass engraved hand tools.
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A gilded sterling silver
clasp
in
the form of a leaf fastens the covers of the book.
This has been especially designed and made by the Worcestershire jeweler Judith Price.
A
soft black suede case is attached to the clasp and protects the book, which
measures approximately 3” x 23/4” (inclusive of case).
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Some of the most beautiful
phrases in the English Language were written by William Shakespeare.
Then, Herbal Medicine reigned supreme and the properties of plants were
comprehensively documented in books called Herbals.
Shakespeare was familiar with these and his allusions to plants and
flowers carried meanings beyond the obvious.
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Herbals were illustrated
to
enable the reader to identify accurately the plants to be used medicinally.
The illustrations in early Herbals were printed from woodcuts; hard
wooden blocks with the image cut into the surface.
I have used metal copies of these to illustrate the quotations, marrying the
best of each.
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The book is letterpress
printed from blocks onto hand made paper produced by Griffen Mill.
The paper is made from linen, cotton and manila fibers in a similar
manner to the process used in Shakespeare’s day. The quality of the paper, its strength and durability are
unmistakable.
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The illustrations are hand coloured individually using watercolors, as they were in early Herbals. The seven quotations and seven illustrations fold up concertina style into the book. Price CA$ 410.00
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