Ediciones Dos Amigos. Carroll, Lewis. Alice in Wonderland. Engravings by Alicia Scavino. [Buenos Aires] Ediciones Dos Amigos 2006
One of 25 copies, 20 of which are for sale, all on Johannot paper, each numbered in print in the colophon, containing 10 double-page intaglio etchings (drawn on zinc plates and burnt with acid in the conventional manner), plus title page etching by the late Alicia Scavino who died before completing the planned etchings for the last two chapters of this beautiful book, 10 smaller (approximately 4 x 3 inches) hand-colored cliche prints in the lower right corner preceding each double-page etching, and one full page hand-painted cliche print after page 176, painted by Facundo Ali. The book was designed and completed under the direction of Samuel Cesar Palui, Ernesto Lowenstein, and Ruben Lapolla. The type is hand set by Mariano Romero in 14-point Aster type and printed letterpress by master pressman, Ruben Lapolla in two colors: black and the initial letter of each chapter in red. The famous "Mouse's Tale / Tail" on page 48 which starts in 14-point Aster type, descends to 6-point. Page size: 12-7/8 x 9-7/8 inches; [1-10] 11-176, [177-185] pp., including "Indice" which is table of contents and colophon. Bound: loose in original wrappers that are drawn in pencil and hand-water colored (across both panels) with an image of a screaming, large Alice with elongated neck in purple dress against city skyline, overshadowed by large green leaves on the front panel, with a mouse balancing on the top of a steeple on the back panel, by Facundo Ali (after one of the etchings by Alicia Scavino) with title and author engraved in silver on front panel. Housed in custom- made red cloth clamshell box by Samuel Garbarino and Mariano Romero, faced with cork on front panel and on spine, "Alice" printed and treated with heat for definition in red over cork on front panel and on spine, the author and "IN WONDERLAND" printed in black on spine. The interior of the clamshell box is lined with two original watercolors laid down on the front and back panels by Facundo Ali, the first with the word "welcome" and the back with the words "Bye Bye" featured. New from one of today's most innovative private presses. Ediciones Dos Amigos has taken on the challenge of creating a new imagining of one of the most popular books in the English language that was to become a catalyst for so much of contemporary Latin American art. From the first edition illustrated by Tenniel to Barry Moser's Pennyroyal edition in 1982, artists and printers have succumbed to the challenge of re-interpreting Dodgson's magical story. The art of Alicia Scavino has never been seen to better advantage. Her ability to capture the reality of those bizarre images verbally created by C. L. Dodgson combines with her technical abilities as a printmaker to produce a magnificent book. Of course, that the Surrealists took Dodgson's children's story as their own is well known. Salvador Dali's edition of ALICE is widely recognized as one of the great books produced by the Surrealist movement. Surreal art - magical realism - the literature of Borges, the art of Matta and Botero, can all trace some of their roots to Dodgson's classic tale. This impressive piece of book production from Buenos Aires' great private press, Ediciones Dos Amigos, is their inspired new production. Alicia Scavino (1937 - 2006) has helped create six books for Ediciones Dos Amigos. With this lovely edition of ALICE, her 10 double-page etchings printed in color are a wonderful tribute to this gifted artist. Her paintings and collages and, especially her prints, are held in several private collections in Argentina, as well as museums.
$US8000
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