The Guest - Author Unknown (plus card)

 

Helen K. Siegl

  1924 - 2009 (biography)

1976  

color woodcuts, typeset text 

images: various; book: 9-1/8 x 6-1/8 x 1/8" 

pencil signed on the colophon 

269 of 300  

typeset text throughout 

 

woodcuts: hosho, Miliani Ingres, Strathmore; text: Spectrum and Bembo, French folded; card: cream cardstock 

published 

Janus Press, VT 

24118 

$200.00 

According to Helen Siegl, as printed in the introductory text, she was inspired to make a "Christmas keepsake" of this 17th-century anonymous poem, "The Guest", in 1961, and a chance encounter with Robert Frost proved providential. "I printed the poem," she writes, "...in 1961. Several years later in Philadelphia, Robert Frost spoke about becoming a poet. He thought there were two ways; to study to be one or to 'want to do it too.' His was the latter way and to my astonishment and pleasure, the poem that had made him 'want to do it too' was this..."

Enclosed in the book is a small handprinted card, a woodengraving titled "Innocence", printed by Siegl on cardstock and dedicated to a friend.

This book exhibits signs of wear on the cover, with sunfading along the top and spine. The contents are in very good condition with minimal foxing, strong inks, and tight binding. The paper is a soft, fibrous wove and is folded and uncut. The price reflects the condition.