ELI, ELI by Lalou, Frank - 1998

Nice, France: Frank Lalou, 1998. First Edition. Fine. Frank Lalou (b.1958) is a writer, artist, and Hebrew calligrapher. All of his modern-day "illuminated manuscripts" are eminently collectible, but in these bilingual renditions of sacred texts Lalou has truly found his metier. His particular calligraphic style is suited to the aesthetics of both English and Hebrew letter forms. His design also incorporates invented shapes with appear alphabetic but in fact only mimic the abstract features of a true written script. The effect is at once modernist and timeless, hinting even at a pre-Babel language. This "one of book" is signed and dated by Lalou alongside his chop stamp. Quarto. Text in Hebrew and English. Issued loose, the unsewn sheets are laid in hand-painted and hand-lettered Fabriano wrappers in black and red accents. The text is primarily in black, with red, orange, and blue accents, and accompanied by full-page die-cut illustrations with tissue guards. Housed in a red cloth-covered slipcase, with a printed paper spine label. Fine.