LEDA or In Praise of the Blessings of Darkness l985, by Pierre Louys. Translated by David Ball, Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Smith College, from “Contes Antiques,” Paris editions du bois sacre, l929. Illustrated with five “erotic” drypoint etchings, printed “a-la-poupee” in multiple colors and 7 woodengravings by Alan James Robinson. Text printed by Dan Keleher at Wild Carrot Letterpress and woodengravings printed by Harold McGrath on 72 lb T. H. Saunders hotpress watercolor paper. Drypoints printed by the illustrator on Gampi Torinoko, a handmade Japanese paper. Leda and the Swan blindstamped on handmade paper from Rugg Road, bound by Peter Geraty. The book was designed with the assistance of Arthur Larson.
28.5 x 2l cm 42 pp

Deluxe edition 60 copies $l250
Includes an extra suite of the five drypoints and seven woodengravings.

State proof edition l5 copies OP ($l500-$2700)
Full alum tawed pigskin binding by Daniel E. Kelm at Wide Awake Garage with a front cover inset from a bas relief paper casting taken from an original wax sculpture by Robinson. Prints, state proofs of etchings, working proofs of woodengravings in a modified fall back box of a unique design, emulating the opening of the swan’s wings.
Rarely comes up for resale.