A visual and poetic exploration of the Moon, from ELM Press
(ELM Press) The Inconstant Moon. Poems to the Moon by Mark Jarman, Phillis Levin, James Longenbach, Jacqueline Osherow, Susan Stewart, Mark Strand, Elaine Terranova and Eleanor Wilner. With the Homeric hymn “To Selene” in Greek and an English translation by Apostolos N. Athanassakis. Lithographs by Enid Mark. Philadelphia. 2006. 14” x 10.5”. Blind embossings of the crescent moon and duotone lithographs of a star field printed in indigo blue and black.
Letterpress printed in Monotype Dante and Monotype Gill Greek Caps and Gill Sans Caps by Arthur Larson on Somerset papers. Lithographs hand-pulled by Timothy P. Sheesley. Calligraphy by Jerry Kelly. Hand bound in black cloth with marbled paper panels overlaying the front and back covers. One in an edition of 45 signed and numbered copies. Fine. Matching box available on request at cost.
“In The Inconstant Moon, the motif of the moon binds the lithographs and poems together; the diverse verbal responses create a rich and intriguing text.
“The visual and poetic exploration of the moon commences with a presentation of the Homeric hymn ‘To Selene.’ … the hymn introduces the poetic suits; its translation, .. concludes the collection.
“Of the eight contemporary poems, six were written specifically for this edition. Two poems appeared in journals at the time this book was conceived, but are previously uncollected.
“The duotones bleed from edge to edge of the pages, creating a deep space for varying profiles of the luminous moon. This moon waxes and wanes, shifting shape and color from page to page, its majestic progression interrupted only at the centerfold by a detailed hand drawn image of the lunar
landscape, this printed in two colors on black mould-made English Somerset paper.” - Prospectus.
Related items: Fine Printing & Private Press, Original Prints, Photographs & Portfolios, Poetry, ELM Press, Homer