The Press is proud to present the Laureate Edition of Fables of Aesop. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, we invited 15 "Arion" artists with diverse styles and backgrounds to each select a fable to be rendered by letterpress as a relief print, whether in traditional wood block or more experimental technique.
Presentation box by Kiki Smith; Morals and Introduction by Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket)
Artworks by Sandow Birk, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Enrique Chagoya, Kenturah Davis, Marcel Dzama, Natalie Frank, Tim Hawkinson, Audrey Niffenegger, Barry Moser, Michele Oka Doner, Clare Rojas, Alison Saar, Joel Shapiro, Vincent Valdez, Richard Wagener, and Kara Walker.
Signed by Kiki Smith and Daniel Handler.
Limited to 250 copies for sale, 210 fine press and 40 deluxe. Deluxe edition is accompanied by limited-edition lithograph The Peacock and The Crane by Clare Rojas.
41 individual folios each imprinted with a select fable and modern moral by Daniel Handler
"The Moral of The Story," introduction folio by Daniel Handler
"Belling The Cat" presentation box conceived by Kiki Smith features a life-sized cat stamped in silver foil with an inset miniature cast metal mouse perched on its tail; the fine press edition features the sculptural mouse multiple cast in white brass, while the deluxe edition features it cast in sterling silver and stamped with Smith's "KS" hallmark.
Silver bells, stowed away inside the box, playfully ring out when the book is handled.
Original relief prints by 15 artists, in multiple colors and various mediums
Title lettering and custom letterform ornaments created by stonecarver, Christopher Stinehour, adorn those fables without artist prints
Printed by letterpress on 100% cotton papers mouldmade in France at the Arches mill.
A 32-page companion volume nests below the folios and includes essays by John T. Hawk and Alix Christie, a publisher’s note, a bibliography, and indices of artists and prints
Signed by Kiki Smith and Daniel Handler.
Arion Press publication #129, 2024.
Natalie Frank, The Cat and Venus
