by Rigby Graham

images by the author

1992
58pp
385 x 280mm (15.2 x 11in)

£275

150 copies signed by the author/artist

In hospital after an operation, Rigby Graham 'lay tethered and triangulated by drip, drain and catheter'. To escape during those hours before daybreak, in his mind he turned the pages of his sketchbooks and 'lay on headlands looking out to sea; or, lingering by bastion and rampart, drew once again vistas and images which had moved me, at earlier times, almost to tears.' This means of escape during a time of crisis later formed the basic structure for the book that we had long hoped that Rigby Graham would some time do with The Old Stile Press. We were not disappointed! It was a tremendous amount of work for all concerned but stands as a major testament of this artist's approach to his work and travels, the natural and man-built world and the artistic environment in which he operates. The text is a substantial one in all senses and the double column format allows a large number of line drawings (printed in a second colour) to be seeded through the pages of the large format volume. The unique feature of the book, however, is the magnificence of the colour woodcuts. Four double page images demanded between four and six blocks each, as did the two endpaper images which are even larger. There are also five single page images printed in three colours to give a glowing 'monochrome' effect. The front board has a line drawing let into it and, finally, even the slipcase has a magnificent woodcut which is no less than 28 inches wide.

Baskerville type, Monotype set. Printed on Lana Royal Crown paper on a FAG Control 900 Press. 4 double-page woodcuts printed in four to six colours, 5 single page woodcuts printed in three colours. Line illustrations throughout, printed in green from blocks made at the Press. Case covered in fine natural linen with spine titled in gilt. Printed image by the artist laid in a recessed panel on the front cover. Endpapers consisting of woodcuts by the artist printed in four to six colours. Slipcase covered in sage green Ingres paper, printed in black with all-round woodcut.