ILIAZD

Lidantiu faram [Lidantiu as a Beacon]: poème dramatique en zaoum.  61, [3] pp.  Elaborate typographical design throughout.  With 8-page prospectus, including preface in French by Georges Ribemont Dessaignes.  4to., 194 x 144 mm, bound in publisher’s wrappers with a collage composed of metallic paper, perforated cork, and faux-leather and letterpress designed by Naum Granovsky.  Paris: 41°, 1923.

 One of 500 copies.  A fine copy of this cornerstone of avant-garde book design. 

 ‘This was the first project in the West of the innovative Russian poet and publisher Iliazd, whose use of unconventional typography was characteristic of his future publications. Probably the most elaborate and beautiful of all suprematist book covers, it was designed by Granovsky.  Each cover had to be individually hand assembled with cork and silver and gold paper collage elements.  The only thing printed is the black letterpress type.’  [Johnson, Artists’ Books in the Modern Era 1870-2000 No. 37].