CATALOG NO. B100-2020
Swifts and Martins of Selborne
Swifts and Martins of Selborne closed
Swifts and Martins of Selborne open to the title page
Swifts and Martins of Selborne open to Building the Nest pull out
Specifications - Edition of 15
Book - 7.75” x 11.5” x .75” Twinrocker handmade paper, twelve leaves.
Illustrations - 10 illustrations were made following the process used by John James Audubon for The Birds of America, published 1827.
Original images were drawn and painted with watercolors, then etched, engraved and hand-colored with watercolors and inks.
Text - from The Natural History of Selborne by Gilbert White, published 1789. Hand-set in Janson Roman, Janson Italic and Goudy Italic. Letterpress printed.
Covers - Linen Washi paper over board, goatskin spine and corners
Cover Illustration - Original image etched, engraved and hand-colored with watercolors and inks
Thomas Parker Williams - Concept, design, illustrations, printing, binding
Mary Agnes Williams - Concept, design, typesetting, printing
Collections
Permanent collections -
The Gilbert White Museum Selborne, UK
Free Library of Philadelphia Rare Book Department
Copies are in private collections
Swifts and Martins of Selborne is the 100th title of unique and editioned artist books completed since 1998 by Thomas Parker Williams and Luminice Press. This book was selected for the Guild of Book Workers traveling exhibition "Wildlife," visiting six venues from June 2021 to September 2022.
Inspired by two men who differed widely in their approaches to documenting the identifying features and behaviors of birds, Swifts and Martins of Selborne brings together the words of Gilbert White (1720-1793), who studied birds in his home village, and the artistic process of John James Audubon (1785-1851), who traveled extensively to document all American birds. We chose to depict two birds who also differ widely: Martins who are serious nest builders, and Swifts who are on the wing most of their lives. The book features letterpress-printed hand-set text, original images that were drawn and painted with watercolors, then etched, engraved and finally hand-colored.
