Prospectus for the Arion Press Edition of Moby-Dick (c.1979) — Limited to 250 Copies

Description

Scarce original prospectus for the celebrated Arion Press edition of Moby-Dick, issued in advance of what remains one of the most ambitious undertakings in modern American fine press publishing. Announcing the sixth publication by the press, this handsome booklet outlines the scope of the project: a folio-format, handset edition of Melville’s novel, illustrated and limited to just 250 copies for sale. Designed under the direction of Andrew Hoyem, this project is often considered one of the great triumphs of American private press work—featuring type cast at Mackenzie-Harris and illustrations by Barry Moser.

This example includes details about the typographic choices (Goudy Modern), a photo of the foundry at work, and samples of the specially designed “Leviathan” capitals. Though not as monumental as the finished book itself, this prospectus holds a place of honor in the ecosystem of bookmaking—part sales tool, part design blueprint, part manifesto. In addition, this chapbook acts as a “mini-bibliography” of sorts, containing bibliographic information on the first five Arion Press publications.

An essential artifact for collectors of Arion Press, Melville, or the modern American private press renaissance.