Twenty-Four Bagatelles by Harold G. McCurdy, Unique Binding by Scott Kellar

Binding Details:  Twenty-Four Bagatelles is a unique fine binding designed and executed by Scott Kellar in 1993. The binding consists of pages link-stitched bound in full green Harmatan goatskin with back-pared ‘feathered’ leather onlays and gold embossing. There are sage Fabriano endsheets and the edges are colored red and burnished. The book is housed in a custom made cloth covered clamshell box with a leather label containing the title and authors name in gilt.

The binding was selected for inclusion in the 15th Anniversary Exhibition of the Chicago Hand Bookbinders Association held at Northwestern University in 1993.

A copy of the catalogue will accompany the book along with Scott Kellar’s signed artist statement for “Twenty-Four Bagatelles”.

The book measures 10” x 6.5”

Book Details:  Published by The Cummington Press, Omaha in 1989 with a limitation of 145 copies this being number 13, Twenty-Four Bagatelles in an Antique Mode is a book of poetry by Dr. Harold G. McCurdy who was a gifted poet and author of numerous books on the psychological studies of notable poets and writers including Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser, D. H. Lawrence and the Bronte sisters, Emily and Charlotte.

Dr. Harold G. McCurdy was the Kenan Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Artist Statement:  “Dragons, the enemies of your goodness, invisible, or in such shifting shapes as not to be detected till the quick poison is introduced, or jaws snap shut.” McCurdy’s imagery here was irresistible while creating the design for this book of poems.

About the Artist: A master of traditional fine bookbinding, Scott Kellar has been working intimately with books for over 40 years. Introduced to bookbinding as a hobby in 1972, his commitment to the craft was immediate. While pursuing a career in book conservation, Scott’s love of books expanded into the realm of design binding, where the art of the binder becomes integral to the book, adding yet another layer of imagery and interpretation to the work of the author. As a result, his artistic works have been featured in book art exhibition venues local, national and international. Awards won include the ‘Coup De Coeur’ award at the Biennale Mondiale de la Reliure D’Art, The Society of Bookbinders Award for Forwarding and the Fine Binding J. Hewit & Sons Ltd. Award. His studio in located in Chicago where he also teaches to share both his skills and vision.

Condition Report: The binding, book internals, and custom clamshell box are in FINE condition.

Photographs of the binding, the clamshell box, and the catalogue mentioned in the listing appear in the photo section of the listing.