26 unnumbered pages : illustrations. 67 x 59 mm.
An alphabet book that showcases exceptional letterpress skill, wit, and typographic experimentation. It is a 32-panel, accordion-fold book produced in a limited edition of 240 copies. Each letter of the alphabet is somehow engaging in the word associated with it. The book features 26 imaginative unions of letters, decorative type, and images where Bodoni type "acts out" specific words or charades. McDowall utilizes the specific characteristics of the Bodoni typeface to create visual puns, such as lowercase 'g' descenders that appear to hang off the edge of the page, a lowercase 'i' with a dot that looks like a dripping icicle, and a lowercase 'j' that shares its jester's cap bobble with an uppercase 'J'. M, for example, is mountaineering and a small printed lowercase M is placed on a large printed uppercase M, offering the appearance that the small M is climbing over the peaks of the large M. In H, hanging, an uppercase H seemingly hangs from an upside down lowercase H.
The 32-panel accordion is attached to the front and back covers in a way that discourages stretching it out fully, encouraging the reader to turn the pages codex-style to savor the jokes two at a time.
It is considered a demonstration of high-quality letterpress, showing the tactile and visual precision of the Old Stile Press, which often blends traditional techniques with modern, inventive design. The book is a notable example of a "typographic conceit" by Nicolas McDowall, a respected figure in private press publishing known for his focus on the relationship between words and images.
Signed by Nicolas McDowell and numbered by him 9/240.
“Conceived in the early 70’s, forgotten in a drawer for 20 years, designed, made &
printed in 1995 by Nicolar McDowall by way of recreations and diversion from work
on more weighty volumes (in every sense).”
printed in 1995 by Nicolar McDowall by way of recreations and diversion from work
on more weighty volumes (in every sense).”
34850784. WorldCat records 18 copies worldwide, 5 of them in the UK.