Oak Knoll

First edition, limited to 225 numbered copies, of which this is one of 10 copies bound numbered I-X and bound by Michael Wilcox. Prospectus loosely inserted. A fine copy of this spectacular binding.

Michael Wilcox states: "My design is intended to be light-hearted and decorative, but is based on the interchange of ideas and the complex business that takes place in the mind when words are matched with images and vice-versa. It seems to me that the convolutions of my brain have been since a quite young age filled with things about nature, and so when I think about books they are often mixed in with thoughts on plants, birds, etc. The key to this design is to be found in my name (word), which appears in the left hemisphere, and my profile (image) which is the right hemisphere - the places in the brain where the experts say these things should be.

For the binding, a Cloisonné-style block of brass and copper was made and used for the main part of the design - an impression of it alone can be seen on the outside of the box. The bird, butterfly, and profile were made up as separate hand-tools again using the cloisonné method..."

With Remarks on the Bindings by Michael Wilcox & on the Books by Elaine Smyth & W. Thomas Taylor. Printed by David Holman on Guarro mould-made paper with design by Taylor. Each book is described in detail with the physical description and philosophy behind the binding and is pictured in full color with a tipped-in photograph. A beautifully printed look at one of better binders working today.