Oak Knoll

Limited to 15 numbered copies, 1 deluxe artists proof variant, 1 prototype and 1 variant saved for fine binding, each signed by the author/publisher on colophon.

Complete Instructions is conceived, edited and produced as a response to social and political American life in the early 21st century, with guidance by Walt Whitman from the middle of the 19th century. The visual concepts, materials and techniques developed and employed in the edition are primarily of our time, while acknowledging the time, vision, genius and humanity of Whitman.

Each page of text is followed by a page spread which visually relates to that text, then the next page of text, visual page spread and so on. The books pages are primarily made of cherry veneer with cut-outs revealing collages of metals, plastics and painted paper. These pages are interspersed with letterpress printed pages on which Whitmans text appears.

The binding is half leather with cherry veneer applied to the boards. The front cover veneer is cut to reveal collages of paper and other materials.

Complete Instructions is designed and produced by Donald Glaister. Letterpress printing was done by Jessica Spring at Springtide Press, the abaca paper was made by Tom Balbo at the Morgan Conservatory. Suzanne Moore gave invaluable consultation and guidance and Camille Botelho offered her skilled hands and eyes.