Henricus de Nova Villa (aka Henry Morris)
So Long, Hot-Metal Men: The Comprehensive Bird & Bull Type Specimen Book, 2007
Newtown, PA: Bird & Bull Press
One of 140 copies.
2969
Quarto. 16pp., + approx. 100ff. of specimens. In his persona as Henricus de Nova Villa (Henry of Newtown), Henry Morris crafted a novel form of type specimen book for the...
Quarto. 16pp., + approx. 100ff. of specimens. In his persona as Henricus de Nova Villa (Henry of Newtown), Henry Morris crafted a novel form of type specimen book for the 20th century. Showcasing the types and decorations in use at the Bird & Bull Press, Morris created faux title pages, advertisements, broadsides, and more, many printed in two colors, alongside more traditional specimen pages. Among the examples included are an invitation to "A Demonstration of The Art of Marbling by renowned Dutch artist Karli Frigge," with a marbled paper sample tipped in; an advertisement for an exhibition of "The Head of the Renowned Bandit! Joaquin! and the Hand of Three Fingered Jack! The Notorious Robber & Murderer" (featuring the 6-line Caslon and Chatsworth wood type); and a broadside in orange and black asserting that "Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow." A Foreword by Morris gives a brief history of hot-metal types and their uses. The slightest toning to spine, else fine in quarter morocco and raw silk over boards with a matching slipcase. Prospectus and original sales receipt laid in. Bookplate to front pastedown.


