---

---

A memorial to the destroyed Historical Archives of Cologne

(John Gerard) House of Cards. Artist’s book by John Gerard. [Rheinbach.] 2009. 15p. 9.75” x 4” x 1.25”. Letterpress printed in black on handmade paper. The book pages have the form of a house sidewall and are printed with Latin texts from the bible. A handwritten register in red Lombard letters on each page. Pages are interlocked with binding strips; this binding was inspired by the work of Claire Van Vliet. In a gray dropback box with title in black on front and spine. Each copy signed and dated by John Gerard. Fine.

Gerard writes: “On March 3, 2009, the entire building of the Historical Archives of the City of Cologne (one of the largest Archives in Northern Europe) collapsed into a pit for a new subway.

“House of Cards” is my memorial book to the Historical Archives and for the two men (Kevin and Khalil) who died. The Lombards are without the letter K (Kof Koeln, Kevin, Khalil) and therefore the title is in English. (Otherwise it would be called “Kartenhaus” in german. (Latin also has no ‘K’).”

Related items: Artists' Books, Catalogue 38 - Summer 2010, Catalogue 38 Preview - Winter 2009/2010, Papermaking, John Gerard