L’Histoire D’Un Tournesol.
Mill Valley, California: Sunflower Press, 1992. One of 30 copies on Frankfurt paper, signed and numbered in ink by Carol Cunningham on colophon. 20 additional copies were printed on Mohawk paper. With 4 pp. bifold “Addendum” in pocket bound to rear pastedown. Orange sunflower frontispiece. Hand-stenciled and hand-painted illustrations throughout. Serigraph sample tipped in on ninth leaf. All type was hand-set by Cunningham. A bit of toning and light wear; overall a bright, near-fine copy of a lively book. Blue cloth patterned in green and orange. Orange endpapers. Paper label on front cover printed with title and an orange sunflower within a decorative border. Twelvemo. [29] ff. Item #16673
Carol Snell Cunningham (1925-2013) was a book artist and one of California’s most significant 20th century female printers. Like her printing contemporary Jane Bissell Grabhorn (1911-1973), Cunningham had a humorous and eccentric style, and this bibliography showcases her playful color schemes and interest in cartoonish illustrations—Arnold Lobel’s iconic Frog even makes an appearance opposite the colophon. Cunningham was a frequent collaborator of Joseph D’Ambrosio and was instrumental in the establishment of the annual Fine Print Fair in San Francisco.
Price: $500.00