Three by D'

Sherman Oaks California and Portage Indiana: The Sunflower Press, The Compulsive Prinrer, Joeseph D'Ambrosio, 1980. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/Publishers clam shell box. Joseph J. D'Ambrosio. Three By D', Joseph j. D' Ambrosio is a special handmade clamshell box containing three miniature books. The box is quarter bound in black Morocco over hand made marble papers with black Morocco tips. There is no indication how many of these sets were created. It may be a one of a kind designed for special friends of D'Ambrosio and collectors of his legendary work. 1) The first book is Masks by Carol Cunningham who signed the book. It is #19 of an addition of 115 and 10 A.P. The book is 2 3/4 x 2 3/8 The binding is cloth over boards with 3- dimensional mask in front cover; slipcase of Ingres paper over boards with acetate window. Carol and Joe collaborated on this work " Carol is an excellent writer and printer, but her bindings at that time fell short of her other talents" " Placing the mask within the front cover gave the book a bulky appearance. I visually reduced the bulk by placing three 'steps' in the spine area. The 'steps' also serve as a handy place for one's fingertips when reading the tiny object" the book is in new condition as is the stepped slipcase. The book has been signed by the authorCarol Cunningham.There are 25 striking serigraphs of masks representing the Pacific Northwest, South America and Asia. There is no indication who drew and designed the masks, but they appear to be the work of both Cunningham and D'Ambrosio. What this fabulous miniature lacks in stature in more than makes up for in soul. 2) The Little Sand Crab by Joe D'Ambrosio # 27 of 75 plus 10 A.P. 2 3/8 x2 7/8 This wonderful miniature is set in 8pt. Bulmer type and has 20 leaves of Ingres oyster paper. The binding is red cloth over boards framing a 23K gilt sunburst exposing Cockerell end paper between it's rays; gold leaf ornament at head of spine; cutaway slipcase of black Ingres paper over boards. This book represents D'Ambrosio's long association with his friend and mentor "Mr." Mundell who passed away a year later. The book is new and was produced in 1982 in Sherman Oaks California. Besides the spectacular binding there are three nice prints on the interior. Each print is signed and numbered by the author/artist. the book is additionally inscribed to his friends and collectors extraordinar,Pat and Trudy Magarick with an extra small hand drawn picture of a little Sand Crab. 3) The Crusader by Mary jane Hammett ( Dashiell Hammett writing under a pseudonym).The book is a limited edition of 85 copies and 5 A.P. this in # 16. The type is 10 pt. Bakerville and the 20 leaves are printed on Mohawk Superfine paper. The binding is White linen and clear acetate; black paper over boards make up the slipcase.D'Ambrosios friend and mentor and fellow printer " Mr." Mundell who signed this miniature urged D'Ambrosio " to Produce this eerie profile of an upstanding citizen who in his private life is a member of the Ku Klux Klan. The story begins quietly and then becomes terribly alarming as the citizen's private life is bared.D' Ambrosio to literally attack the wood blicks that were cut for the prints to reflect the terror.The binding is a virtual metaphor of white for purity. D' Ambrosio states seriously " this story frightens me, and I produced it for the same reason Hammett wrote it: Revelation of evil in man, masked by a mantle of piousness." The story appeared in the Aug. 1923 issue of The Smart Set, The Aristocrat Among magazines. Book is new and each of the 8 provocative prints are signed and lettered by D'Ambrosio. the book is also inscribed " To my dear friend Pat." The set of books are wonderful collectibles to be cherished by serious collectors of masterpieces of fine printing in miniature.