Art

Two Letters of Norman Lindsay – Richard Pennigton Private Press – Signed Number 5 of a Limitation of 75 Copies

Extended title … Two Letters from Norman Lindsay to Francis and Betty Crossle here printed for Members of the Christopher Brennan Society.

Privately printed signed and numbered by Richard Pennington, limited to only 75 copies this number 5.

The letters, in the possession of Richard Pennington printed for the first time – he received the permission of Janet Glad, Norman Lindsay’s daughter.

Octavo, 24 pages, limitations page, bound in decorative string bound wrappers. Printed in Stephenson Blake’s Perpetua type on Barcham Green hand-made “Tovil’ paper by Richard Pennington at Presse de l’Abricotier Abatuu Blanzac France in September 1980.

Richard Pennington was born at Rugby, England but spent a large part of his adult working life in Australia. He was Librarian at the University of Queensland for eighteen years from 1946. He retired to France where he purchased a hand printing set-up and operated first in Normandy then later in Blanzac. Ten years before this work he was involved in the printing of a special memoir on the Australian poet Christopher Brennan. Lindsay did a portrait sketch of Brennan for the memoir .. so you can begin to understand the connection.

Pennington provides a lovely six page introduction. Pennington knew the recipients, who had introduced him to Brennan’s poetry. He describes the recipients interest in the arts and their rather metaphysical view of life and the world … something they had in common with Lindsay. Good content regarding their conversations about Lindsay and how Pennington came to receive the letters from Betty.

The letters are most interesting a particularly that to Francis which runs to over 1,200 words. Lindsay clearly respects Francis as a Doctor and close friend .. as a consequence the content is extremely personal .. allowing one to understand this genius of man better. Lindsay struggles with over-reaching in his work and finds that whenever he tries to control this “problem” he usually turns to some other form of “work’. In the evenings he listens to classical music but that does not help as it stimulates his mind into thinking of many new elements of work yet to be done. Many rather complex metaphysical views are shared which seem to stem from deeper anxieties. He references Newman’s book .. the best revelation of the critical mind that I have come across, but read it with considerable disgust also. Critic Newman’s book on criticism was published in 1925 .. so dates the letter better than Pennington’s suggestion of the year before [Pennington references the wrong book].

The letter to Betty is less wordy … just over 500 words … but perhaps more intimate. Lindsay obviously does not like Rousseau .. one of the most evil minds that ever appeared on earth in the disguise of a Good man. Lindsay adores Beethoven, Turner and Byron. He is close to finishing his novel Madame Life’s Lovers … which he will send shortly.

Special Very Limited Private Press Lindsay Item – with an interesting series of connections

$140.00

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Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev in An Evening with the Royal Ballet

An original promotion poster produced in 1963 for the Documentary Film staring the great Fonteyn and Nureyev. This was incidentally one year before their highly charged successful performances in Melbourne and Sydney.

The film was produced by Anthony Havelock- Allen and Anthony Asquith and was filmed at the Royal Opera House, London. Dances performed by the famous couple included from Les Syphides; Le Corsaire; La Vaise and Aurora’s the last segment from the third act of The Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky.

Printed by Robert Burton, Sydney for local release 100cm by 70cm and in very good condition with bright colours.

Fonteyn and Nureyev were at first seen as an unusual if not unlikely pairing … Fonteyn the epitome of English poise and grace whilst Nureyev rather wild and a bit of a rascal. This unusual recipe gave rise to surely the best dance pairing ever … Nureyev said … “when we dance, we are one body … one soul”

Fonteyn and Nureyev for inspiration ……

$90.00

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Engraved at Lahainaluna: A History of Printmaking by Hawaiians at the Lahainaluna Seminary, 1834-1844 – David W Forbes

A significant book by the author of the recognised bibliography of all literature Hawaiian. Published by the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society, Honolulu in 2014. Quarto, xxi, 210 pages .. with large folding map in rear pocket. An as new copy .. super condition … clean as a whistle.

A heavy book … may require a modest Overseas supplement to our standard postage allowance.

A wonderful collection of over 120 images of copperplate engravings from the seminary on the island of Maui.. Views of Hawaiian Islands, towns and rural settlements, portraits, natural history, original maps and charts. The most important collection of 19thC Hawaii images before the age of photography. Includes biographical information on many of the engravers

Special Hawaiian Item and a lovely production

$40.00

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The Engravers of Van Diemen’s Land – Clifford Craig.

First printing 1961 of Clifford Craig’s definitive book on the engravers of Tasmania and their art.

Small quarto, 172 pages, published by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association. Decorative covered boards depicting life around the harbour in Hobart. Illustrated with 44 plates of examples. Limited to 1,000 copies and intended to be numbered and signed … this one was overlooked as were many.

Covers after a good introduction … the James Ross and Henry Melville Presses; Charles Atkinson; Benjamin Duterrau; John Skinner Prout and T. Bluett; Robin Vaughan. And then some “subject” offerings … Scientific; Country Houses; Town Scenes; Portraits; Music Prints; Northern Engravings. Then an interesting “Other” which includes … James Grove; the Hermit; Glover; Bishop Nixon; Political Cartoons etc.

Starting point for any interest in Tasmanian engravings

$40.00

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Prey (Fishing – Fly Tying and Exotic Lures) – Carl Richards

“designing and tying new imitations of fresh and saltwater forage foods”.

Published by Lyons and Burford, New York in 1995 a first edition. Large octavo, 132 pages, nicely illustrated, some in colour.

A special book for fly tyers and fisherman. A major part of the book is about the construction of saltwater prey imitations … sardines, shiners, sand lace, bonefish, crabs, shrimp, sea urchins … the art and skill involved in the process well described and much to be admired. We don’t fish but we love it!

Prey much more than flies and bought plastic lures.

$30.00

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The Art of Georges Lepape – From the Ballets Russes to Vogue by Claude Lepape and Thierry Defert

The book on the work of the talented Georges Lepape. Written and compiled by his son Claude Lepape with the assistance of Thierry Defert.

Folio, 175 pages published by Thames and Hudson. London a first UK edition 1984. Lavishly illustrated, with 196 images of which 135 are in colour encompassing the start to finish of Lapape’s work. Excellent biographical content.

Very good near fine condition. A heavy book which may require a postage supplement depending on buyers location.

From his childhood in Paris and the Montmartre and Beaux-Arts that influenced his developing style. The important long relationship with top fashion designer Paul Poiret. La Gazette du Bon Ton (see Voyager’s original pochoirs – a number referenced in this work). The 1920’s and the Theatre and on to Vogue and New York.

Most beautiful illustrated book – the work on Lepape

$80.00

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Two Letters of Norman Lindsay – Richard Pennigton Private Press – Signed Number 5 of a Limitation of 75 Copies

Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev in An Evening with the Royal Ballet

Engraved at Lahainaluna: A History of Printmaking by Hawaiians at the Lahainaluna Seminary, 1834-1844 – David W Forbes

The Engravers of Van Diemen’s Land – Clifford Craig.

Prey (Fishing – Fly Tying and Exotic Lures) – Carl Richards

The Art of Georges Lepape – From the Ballets Russes to Vogue by Claude Lepape and Thierry Defert

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