Quartet. Etchings by Joseph Goldyne

Berkeley, CA: Pacific Editions, 1986. One of 165 copies all on Twinrocker handmade rag paper, each signed by the author and artist. Page size: 12 inches x 8-1/4 inches. Bound by Klaus-Ullrich Rotzscher: gilt stamped morocco and Twinrocker paper in custom clamshell box. Four of the five etchings accompany each of the four essays by Thomas and a fifth, For Quartet, weaves visual metaphors of the themes of the four essays. The etchings incorporate a variety of graphic techniques, including aquatint, spitbite, drypoint, and hard and soft ground methods. They were proofed by Kay Bradner at Katherine Lincoln Press and the edition was printed by Robert Townsend and Kate Hanlon. The text is handset in 16 point Bembo and Centaur and printed letterpress at the Arif Press by Wesley B. Tanner who also designed the book. Title calligraphy is by John Prestianni. This is a real collaborative effort among artists and the result encompasses Thomas' central themes: the dominant role of symbiosis in life on our planet; guarded optimism in the face of great odds; the magical role of music and metaphor; and the idiosyncracies of language and communication. The late Lewis Thomas, National Book Award winner, had a long and distinguished career as a scientist before combining that career with that of writing. Joseph Goldyne, trained as a physician before embarking on a career in art. His work is widely collected and critically acclaimed.