Sea of Cortez | John Steinbeck & Edward F. Ricketts | Richard Wagener
Sea of Cortez | John Steinbeck & Edward F. Ricketts | Richard Wagener
Non-fiction by John Steinbeck and Edward F. Ricketts
With six wood engravings by Richard Wagener
A map illustration by Martin Machado
Deluxe edition box by Jonathan Anzalone
And a note on the publishing history by Jeffrey Yang
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Mentioned in the Wall Street Journal’s 2020 “Who Read What.”
In honor of the 80th anniversary of John Steinbeck and biologist Ed Ricketts’ landmark 1940 voyage, Arion Press brings new life to a monumental collaboration—part detailed scientific study, part philosophical and spiritual exploration. Arion’s edition incorporates salvaged wood from the Western Flyer, the vessel Steinbeck and Ricketts chartered for the trip.
“It is magnificent — I love the sand-and-sun colors of it; the heft of it; the haunting wood engravings of sea creatures; the feel of the paper that seems to have a sea-edge ripple embedded in its fibers; and of course the wonderful inset of wood from the Western Flyer... spent a lot of time perusing it and ooohhing and aaaahhing over it.”
The book is printed by letterpress on Zerkall 120 gsm Frankfurt “wavy laid” white mouldmade paper from Perpetua metal types cast on site for the project in the M&H Type foundry. Six Boxwood and Maple engravings by Richard Wagener depicting marine specimens and the Western Flyer are printed in colors on Zerkall 170 gsm mouldmade. Endsheet artwork by Martin Machado maps the journey through the Golfo de California. All copies and the extra stand-alone print are signed by Richard Wagener.
Stand-alone Western Flyer Print by Richard Wagener
A limited number of individual woodblock prints of Richard Wagener’s iconic three-color Western Flyer image can be purchased apart from the edition. These are printed on heavyweight Zerkall 250 gsm Litho, measure 12-¼ x 9 inches and are suitable for framing. 40 of the 75 signed prints accompany each Deluxe edition; the remaining 35 prints are available at $400 apiece.
Martin Machado Original Artwork
Arion Press is pleased to offer for sale the two original drawings by Martin Machado commissioned for the project. The first is the map “The Voyage of the Western Flyer” that depicts the Golfo de California, Sonoran coast, and the multiple collecting stations of the Western Flyer. The map’s cartouche incorporates key elements of Steinbeck and Ricketts’ journey. The drawing, ink and gouache on Arches cold pressed all cotton rag paper, is signed by the artist and measures 29 x 37 inches. The price is $2,000, unframed. Please enquire to purchase.
The second, smaller drawing depicts the Sonoran coastline as it might have been seen from onboard the Western Flyer. It is signed by the artist and measures 9 x 12 inches, ink and gouache on Arches. $400. Please enquire to purchase.
Production Details
Limited edition of 185 numbered copies for sale
Variant edition of 25 numbered copies for sale
Deluxe edition of 40 numbered copies for saleLarge Quarto, 12 ¼ x 9 inches, 240 pages plus 12 unnumbered pages for the prints
Limited edition bound in deep red coral paper imprinted with starfish motif over boards with striated pearlescent cloth spine, featuring recessed label of wood veneer reclaimed from the Western Flyer, in slipcase of aqua paper sides, charcoal cloth edges, and matching paper spine label.
Variant edition bound in quarter coral leather and sewn by hand. The binding features 3-color silk hand-sewn headbands, striated pearlescent cloth sides, titling stamped in gold on the rounded spine, and a recessed wood veneer label with titling and an illustration of the Sonoran coast line. Presented in matching full-cloth slipcase with gold foil-stamped leather spine label.
Deluxe edition bound in the Variant style and presented in a handmade, artisanal box incorporating Douglas Fir planks salvaged from the Western Flyer and a brass-rimmed “porthole”, accompanied by an extra signed print securely housed inside the box.
Arion Press publication #118, 2020
A limited number of copies will be available in sheets (unbound) for bookbinders at a 15% discount.
Read the full prospectus here.