Item #19010701 The Corpus Christi Carol. Medieval Text, Angela Lemaire, Artist.
The Corpus Christi Carol
The Corpus Christi Carol
The Corpus Christi Carol

The Corpus Christi Carol

[Monmouthshire]: The Old Stile Press, 2017. Lemaire, Angela. Limited Edition. Folio in a case. Letter N of 26 copies, oblong folio size, nine folded sheets with eight woodcuts laid in, each print signed by Angela Lemaire. Fine. Item #19010701

The "Corpus Christi" Carol, written in Middle English in 1504 by an unknown author has been set to music numerous times, and its haunting narrative resonates with audiences to this day. This gorgeous edition of the carol is from the Old Stile Press, a fine press in Wales which had been run by husband-and-wife duo Frances and Nicolas McDowall, who created lovely editions of classical writings featuring works by contemporary artists; the poetry of the carol is set against woodcuts by printmaker Angela Lemaire, who hand-coloured each print to create provocative images matching the ethereal text. The text is letterpress-printed in Middle English, on the verso of the folded sheet to face each woodcut.

Although many have speculated as to the meaning of the carol, there isn't a clear consensus based on a reading of the text; per the colophon, at the end of the carol ". . .there is a stone with 'Corpus Christi' written on it, a reminder of loss and death, but also of redemption and new life. Perhaps this carol doesn't require explanations, its haunting mystery being meaning enough."

___DESCRIPTION: Nine folded sheets loosely laid into a brown paper folio with title in dark brown and edition number written in pencil on the front cover, the interior of the folio with three folded flaps on each cover, of the nine folded sheets, eight enclose woodcuts by Angela Lemaire, each hand-coloured and signed in pencil by the artist, and one colophon with the edition number in pencil; Truesdell type, Somerset Bookwove and Bugra Butten papers, oblong folio size (10.5" by 15"), nine folded sheets with eight woodcuts loosely laid in, one of 26 copies, this lettered N. Housed in a clamshell box covered in seafoam green cloth, with white paper label with title in brown on the front board and brown velvet lining on the inside.

___CONDITION: A fine copy; the covers clean, the corners without wear, the interior clean and bright, and free of prior owner markings; clean, crisp, as new. The clamshell box is fine also, strong and sturdy, clean, without wear.

___POSTAGE:  International customers, please note that additional postage may apply due to the size of this book; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Price: $1,250.00

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