A Pictorial Journal of a Voyage Aboard the Three Masted Schooner Louise; Last of the Sailing Codfisherman out of San Francisco, As recorded in 1931 by the artist Otis Oldfield
San Francisco: Grabhorn-Hoyem, 1969. Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of 400 copies, folio size, [127] pp., with prospectus. Fine. Item #260827061
Noted San Francisco Bay Area artist Otis Oldfield (1890-1969) studied art first in San Franciso and then in Paris; over his lifetime he won an impressive array of awards and also had an impressive array of one-man shows. To get a feel for the man, one should read his biography on the web site (his name plus dot net).
One of his solo exhibits were the marine watercolours he made while sailing on the "Louise", a codfishing schooner. It was from these watercolours that Andrew Hoyem and Robert Grabhorn selected nineteen to be included in this work, all of which are reproduced in full colour by photolithography and coloured by letterpress with handcut linoleum blocks (n.b., from the prospectus).
A stunning work which brings to life the final days of large wooden schooners being employed for commerce. Included in the Exhibition of Western Books (Rounce & Coffin Club).
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in white canvas over boards with a blue leather shelfback, this with title and decorations in gilt, title page in blue, red, and black, running titles in blue with red decoration, the nineteen coloured illustrations bound in throughout, colophon in blue and black, this one of 400 copies (unnumbered); types used include Goudy Modern, Union Pearl, handset, and Goudy Modern, monotype, printed on all-rag Ruysdael heavyweight (machine-made), binding folio size (14" by 10 1/2"), unpaginated with [127] pp. per the bibliography. With the prospectus, the same size as the volume, one sheet folded once to four pages, the first page with the same information as the book's title page but in a totally different design, the second page standard prospectus information (note, however, that the prospectus notes that 20 pictures would be included of which 16 would be in colour, which plan obviously changed), the third page with a coloured illustration, the final page blank.
___CONDITION: Volume fine, the boards clean, the leather shelfback smooth and supple, the gilt lettering and decorations bright, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; clean, crisp, and as new. The prospectus near fine with minimal toning around the edges and some very light edgewear.
___CITATION: Grabhorn-Hoyem Bibliography, no. 25.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.
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Price: $200.00