Stone Soup

Portland, OR: The Chamberlain Press. Fine. 1985. Limited/Numbered Signed Edition. Hardcover. This very old, European folk tale is here retold with subtle humor by children's book author Kenneth Jones. The tale is of hungry travelers who are denied food by distrustful, selfish townspeople. The travelers produce their iron cooking pot, fill it with water and large stones, build a fire under it, and tell the townspeople that they're making a delicious stone soup that they will share with all. They pleasantly cajole someone into bringing them some garni to 'improve' the soup, then talk others into bringing some vegetables, then meats, seasonings, and everything required for a hearty soup that is ultimately shared and eaten by all. The travelers use the villagers' own foolish self-interest to trick them into collaboration that produces benefit for all. This is copy 137 of a limited edition of 150. Numbered and signed in pencil by the illustrator, printer, and publisher Sarah Chamberlain. 6 3/4" x 5 1/4". Unpaginated, but 31 pages. The tale is accompanied by 15 equally subtly humorous wood engravings cut by Sarah Chamberlain. Set in Garamond type and printed in black on cream, mould made, watermarked, Rives Lightweight paper. The engravings are printed in black, titles in brown, and wood engraved decorations in yellow. Printed by Chamberlain with assistance from Bill De Armond. Bound by Barbara Blumenthal in marbled paper over boards, with the water-based, earth-toned, and black marbling by Eileen Canning of Dancing Inks, Olympia, Washington. The 'random droplet' pattern of this paper is a creative departure from her many combed designs. Paper spine label. Laid in is the press' prospectus for this book. This excellent example of the press' work is scarce in the market, clean, sharp, and in Fine condition.; Wood engraving; 12mo 7" - 7½" tall; 31 pages; Signed by Illustrator .