Mario Avati: Altre lettere a un amico [Mario Avati: Other Letters to a Friend]

Reggio Emilia [Italy]: Tipolitografio Emiliana. Fine in Near Fine dj. 2003. First Edition. Softcover. [nice clean book with minimal handling wear, essentially presents as-new]. (color reproductions) A second collection (six years after the publication of the first) of "letters" mailed by artist Mario Avati to his friend Anselmo Gualdi -- although "letters" is something of a misnomer, as what is actually reproduced in this volume are the envelopes in which the letters were mailed, each of which has been decorated by Avati with colorful, often whimsical drawings, many of which are themed to the locations from which they were mailed. The 322 envelopes reproduced here (two per page) include human figures, animals, birds, buildings, landscapes, renderings of famous artworks, etc. -- basically, it seems, whatever struck the artist's fancy at a given time or place. Avati (1921-2009) was a painter, engraver, printmaker and book illustrator who achieved his greatest renown working in the mezzotint medium. All text and introductory matter is in Italian, as is the 3-page biographical summary of Avati's career at the back of this volume -- but this will hardly impede your enjoyment of this visually delightful and charming book. Only 700 copies were printed, and both this volume and the preceding one appear to be exceedingly scarce: no copies of either are currently (January 2021) in commerce, and an OCLC search turns up only a single library copy of the earlier volume. **** NOTE that additional postage charges will be assessed for international shipping of this moderately heavy book; if this concerns you, please contact us for a shipping quote before placing your order. **** .