One of just 40 copies issued

Graham, Rigby ~ John Minton. A Commemorative Exhibition. Catalogue and Introductory Essays : The Publisher Trevor Hickman’s Copy

Cog Press, Aylestone : 1967

The sole UK printing published by The Cog Press, Aylestone in 1967. Large 4to., blue / black cloth, with 'John Minton' lettered vertically in gilt along the spine; black and white frontis portrait of Minton by Lucien Freud; half title vignette, and numerous other black and white full-page illustrations by the artist, as well as five in colour, tipped-in; title page in red and black; printed on white and green paper stocks; no wrapper as issued, and with reinforced cloth hinges present in all copies; The BOOK is in near Fine condition, ever-so-slightly scuffed at the spine tips and corners; and lightly spotted to the upper edge. Limited to just 40 copies, privately printed and for private distribution only. This copy formerly in the possession of publisher Trevor Hickman, with his bookplate to the front paste-down. There was also a wraps edition issued which did not contain any of the illustrations. A collection of essays on the subject of the artist John Minton, which includes 'The Man, his work and the legends', as well as chapters on his book illustration, dust jackets, posters and advertising work, a chronology and a catalogue of his works. The sections printed on green paper are devoted to the titles of four contributions by Minton to 'Ark' magazine ('The Hopkin Syndicate'; 'Pictures of Jamaica'; 'Doing the book of the Film, or How I Ruined my Life' and 'Three Young Contemporaries, Derrick Greaves, Edward Middleditch and Jack Smith'). Minton had joined the Pioneer Corps in 1941, and it was while he was in the army that he produced the costumes and scenery for John Gielgud's 1942 production of 'Macbeth'. His artworks produced during and after the war were dominated by strong, dark colour schemes, though it is perhaps for his book illustration that he is best remembered today, producing many titles with the publisher John Lehmann, including Elizabeth David's 'A Book of Mediterranean Food' and 'French Country Cooking'. Rigby Graham was himself an artist considered by some to be one of the most important English landscape painters of the late 20th century. A lovely example.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine