“Grieving takes strange forms. When Nell and Tig’s cat Smudgie died, Nell dealt with her disproportionate sense of loss by rewriting Tennyson’s “Morte d’Arthur” with Smudgie in the leading role, supported by a full cast of noble cats in mediaeval robes and chain mail. This was a deeply frivolous thing for her to do, and the results were not felicitous.” Thus begins the short story Margaret Atwood has written expressly for the Arion Press.

The books are printed by letterpress from Deepdene types cast onsite in the M&H foundry, 7-⅜ x 5-⅜ inches, 72 pages, and offered in both Limited and Variant bindings. In addition to three spot illustrations, all copies feature a four-panel, two-color landscape fold-out that depicts the author in a moment of reverie while re-imagining the poignant final stanzas of Tennyson’s poem. Intricately patterned front and rear endsheet wallpapers have been especially designed—a modern spin on  a Victorian tradition.

Audrey Niffenegger has additionally created two separate box aquatints printed on Sakamoto kozo in cadmium red with black. The first, “Now Farewell” (shown above left), is paired with copies of the Variant binding as a Deluxe edition; the second, “Shelter” (shown above right), is offered individually. The prints measure 15 x 12-⅞ inches (image area: 9 x 7 inches) and are printed and signed by the artist in editions of 15 plus 3 printer’s proofs, 3 artist’s proofs, and 1 trial proof.

Production Details

• Limited edition of 190 numbered copies for sale
  Sold Out – Variant edition of 45 numbered copies for sale
  Sold Out – Deluxe edition of 15 numbered copies for sale

• 7-⅜ x 5-⅜ inches, 72 pages

• Limited edition Smyth-sewn, hand-bound in full maroon cloth with gray velour labels, and presented in a custom chocolate brown cardstock envelope with a decorative label. 

• Variant edition hand-sewn in a modified dos-à-dos structure. Landscape image pops out from center binding boards. Includes additional 4-panel drawing on interior-most endsheets. Bound in silken cloth and presented in a maroon box with raised base, lined in velvety black. 

• Deluxe edition of the Variant binding accompanied by box aquatint “Now Farewell”, 15 x 12-⅞ inches (image area: 9 x 7 inches).

• Arion Press publication #120, 2021

Shipping of pre-orders will begin in September 2021.

A limited number of copies will be available in sheets (unbound) for bookbinders at a 15% discount until September 15, 2021.

Read the full prospectus here.