Fine Press Friday
The Black Swan by Thomas Mann (1875-1955) illustrated with original lithographs by the American architect and artist John Hejduk (1929-2000) was published by The Limited Editions Club in 1990 in an edition of 375 copies. The short story was originally published in Germany in 1954 under the title Die Betrogene: Erzählunh. The story follows a woman who struggles with her changing body and experiences a sexual revival when she falls for a younger man.
Bound in brown leather and embossed with a bold black title, this fine press book was printed in eighteen-point Monotype Gill Sans, a bold straight-shaped font which feels harmonious with the geometric illustrations. The lithographs have a limited color scheme, blacks, browns, and blues. John Hejduk makes use of touché, a liquid resist that can achieve large areas of tone—it can appear like watercolor, however when it dries it achieves a rippled effect.
The text was set by Dan Carr and Julia Ferrari at Golgonooza Letter Foundry and printed by Heritage Printers, Inc. on Rives Buff Text paper in an edition of 375 copies. The lithographs were printed on Rives Buff Cover paper by Melissa and Ted Braggins at Pondside Press. Kim Shkapich designed the book. The book was bound at Jovonis Bindery, where the slipcase, wrapped in a simple black book cloth, was also made. Our copy is signed by the artist and is a gift from our friends and benefactors Megan Holbrook and Eric Vogel.