Dance For Life; Isadora Duncan and Her California Dance Legacy At the Temple of Wings
Berkeley: Elysian Editions [Wesley B. Tanner], (1985). Mitchell, Margaretta K. First and Limited Edition. Folio in a case. The printer's proof from an edition of fifty copies, seven text pages and twelve photogravures, all housed in a clamshell case. Fine. Item #CNWT01
This an homage to Angela Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), and the incredible effect she had on modern dance which she initiated at the turn of the last century.
She "emphasized the dynamics and rhythm of movement, invoked the Greeks, and refused to perform anywhere but in the sanctified halls of the opera house and concert stage. Duncan avoided all links with dance as it had been known in the nineteenth century - a 'leg business' that was titillating and low class. She remains a key figure in the history of American modern dance primarily because she established dance as a legitimate artistic practice" (n.b., info and quote from the online Dictionary of American Biograpy).
A native of San Francisco, she spent much of her adult life in Europe and Russia. However, her influence was deeply felt in the San Francisco Bay Area; an admirer and childhood friend of hers, Florence Treadwell Boynton, and her husband built a home in Berkeley, designed by Bernard Maybeck, which was named the "Temple of Wings". It was there that Florence created a dance school that adhered to her own beliefs regarding raising children, with these beliefs integrated with the dance style of Duncan. Annual summer dance events were held at the Temple of Wings from 1914 through 1985, and it is this style of dance which is celebrated in this photographic portfolio.
With photographs by Margaretta K. Mitchell (b. 1935), whose "photographs belong to the Pictorialist tradition, addressing formal concerns of line and shadow primarily in black and white" (n.b., from Wiki). Her style shows in the twelve gravure plates in this work, which bring to life the interpretation by Duncan and Boynton of the ancient Greek-style of dance.
Issued in an edition of fifty copies plus nine copies reserved for the participants in the project, this the printer's proof copy which we acquired directly from him. Somewhat uncommon in the marketplace, as of this writing we see only a single other offering online; our search of OCLC locates four institutional holdings.
___DESCRIPTION: The work consists of nineteen sheets in a portfolio (box), the title page in blue and black, four pages of Introduction, this followed by the poem "The Dancer", this by the twelve photgravures, with the colophon at the end, the first page of the Introduction has a small photoengraved illustration printed in black, there are nine continous-tone offset illustrations printed in black throughout the Introduction, the twelve photogravures are all titled, numbered (this copy noted as "Printer's Proof"), and dated by Margarette Mitchell, each photogravure interleaved with archival paper for protection; types Castellar, Van Dijck, and Garamond on Arches paper, the pages measure 19" by 15"; the box is covered in blue cloth with a white paper label mounted onto the front with blue lettering and measures 20 3/4" by 16 1/8".
___CONDITION: The text pages and photogravues all fine, clean and without wear; the box near fine, strong and sturdy but with a few spots of soil and a few areas of light wear, including a small tear to the cloth at the bottom of the front of the box.
___CITATION: The Book Club of California Quarterly Newsletter, Vol. LV, Number 4, Autumn 1990, "A Bibliographical Checklist of Wesley B. Tanner, Printer", Part II, p. 98.
___POSTAGE: Please note that this is an extremely large and heavy item and additional postage may apply, please inquire for details. International customers, also please note that any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.
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Price: $9,000.00