Thirty-Four Marbled Papers.
Parrot, Gray

Quarto. (4), (34)ff. One of seven copies, signed by Gray Parrot. The second book of marbled paper examples created by Parrot, with 34 tipped-in samples of marbled papers made over the course of six years, including one large fold-out page. According to the preface in Some Marbled Papers, Parrot first became fascinated with bindings and marbled paper while working at Harvard's Houghton Library as an undergraduate. He is now one of the foremost practitioners of this art form. Title page and colophon handsomely printed in gold and silver ink. Hand-bound by Parrot in green marbled paper, backed in matching green morocco, and gilt-stamped on the spine. Housed in raw silk folding case, which shows just light fading to the spine. T.e.g.

Ebru Paper with Drawing of Beyazit Tower.

Original marbled paper art by Turkey's premier paper marbler, with dusky swirls of pale peach, green, blue, and mauve. Signed and dated by the artist. Emerging from the center of the marbling is a small, detailed drawing in brown ink of the entrance archway to Istanbul University and Beyazit Tower. The tower is located on the university's campus and was originally built in 1824 as a fire watch-tower. Birds fly overhead and disappear amidst the soft clouds of a marbled sky. Paper marbling, or Ebru, is one of the oldest arts in Turkey. In addition to being employed in book binding and decoration, it was often used as a background for calligraphy and is considered high art. Ever since its fifteenth-century beginnings, artists in Turkey (and around the world) have experimented with marbling in order to create increasingly complex designs, which are works of art in their own right. Measuring 28 by 20 inches. One corner slightly bumped, else a fine example of this traditional art form.

Ebru: Turkish Marbled Paper.

Original marbled paper art by Hikmet Barutcugil, Turkey's premier paper marbler, with swirls of golden yellow, green, blue, and violet. Signed and dated by the artist. This expressive design flows gently close to the edges of the paper, but intensifies close to the center of the work as the colors mix and blend. Paper marbling, or Ebru, is one of the oldest arts in Turkey. In addition to being employed in book binding and decoration, it was often used as a background for calligraphy and is considered high art. Ever since its fifteenth-century beginnings, artists in Turkey (and around the world) have experimented with marbling in order to create increasingly complex designs, which are works of art in their own right. Measuring 20 1/2 by 24 inches. An extremely fine example of this traditional art form.

Efsun Çiçegi (Enchanting Beauty Flowers).

Original marbled paper by the premier marbling artist in Turkey, Hikmet Barutcugil. Signed and dated by the artist. Ebru, or marbling, is one of the oldest arts in Turkey. In addition to being used in book binding and design, it was often used as a background for calligraphy. In this way, marbling was elevated to a high art. Ever since its fifteenth-century beginnings, artists in Turkey (and around the world) have experimented with marbling in order to create increasingly complex designs, which are works of art in their own right. Barutcugil has developed his own technique for creating flowers within his marbled patterns, inspired by his wife, Füsun Hanim. In this lovely example, four tulips in lavender and violet bloom against a marbled background in shades of green, pink, blue, and violet. The marbling transitions from delicate washes of green to more bold, defined lines which evoke mountains and sky. Barutcgil's limitless creativity and passion for this traditional art is clear in his work. The paper has been mounted onto a stiff cardboard backing. Measures 18 by 9 inches. A very fine example of Turkish marbling, which is offered with "Efsun Cicergi," Barutcugil's fully illlustrated text on Efsun Flowers.

Allah (God).

Marbled paper with calligraphy measuring 23 3/4 by 32 inches. Ebru, or marbling, is one of the oldest arts in Turkey. In addition to being used in book binding and design, it was often used as a background for calligraphy and is considered high art. In this example, Barutcugil has used a stencil technique so that the calligraphy itself is marbled, in deep blue against a marbled background of blue and green. The original calligrapher of this design was Yusuf Coskun Beneuse (b. 1949). His interpretation of the word "Allah" takes the form of a flower and leaf stretching upwards toward heaven from a curled, grounded base. Bump to the lower left corner margin, which can be easily covered by a mat. Else fine.

El Kasibu Habibullah.

Marbled paper measuring 23 3/4 by 32 inches, with elegant marbled calligraphy in Arabic. The script translates to say "One who conducts business in a Halal fashion is the beloved servant of Allah." This superb example of Ebru, the ancient Turkish art of paper marbling, has a bold simplicity. Ebru was traditionally used as a background for calligraphy and is considered high art. This paper was marbled twice using a stencil technique and resists. The result is that the calligraphy and the background have different colors and patterns: the background of this piece is decorated with bubbles of pink, peach, and white, while the contrasting calligraphy is swirled with black and gray. The calligrapher who created the design was A. Hulusi Efendi (1869-1940), who belonged to a long line of Turkish marbling artists and calligraphers. Signed Hikmet Heida, which means "wisdom of god." Top right corner is slightly bumped, else a very fine example of Ebru art.

Efsun Çiçegi (Enchanting Beauty Flowers).

Original marbled paper by the premier marbling artist in Turkey, Hikmet Barutcugil. Signed by the artist. Barutcugil has developed his own technique for creating flowers within his marbled patterns, inspired by his wife, Füsun Hanim. In this delicate example, two carnations grow from the same root, branching off and blossoming in red and yellow. The flower is set against a speckled marbled background of pale blue, violet, and green. Barutcugil's unusual speckling technique gives the effect of pointillistic clouds.Ebru, or marbling, is one of the oldest arts in Turkey. In addition to being used in book binding and design, it was often used as a background for calligraphy and is considered high art. Ever since its fifteenth-century beginnings, artists in Turkey (and around the world) have experimented with marbling in order to create increasingly complex designs, which are works of art in their own right. The paper, measuring 14 1/2 by 10 3/8 inches, is mounted behind a dark green mat. The whole measures 17 1/5 by 14 inches. A very fine example of Turkish marbled art.

The Miscellaneous Works of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh Complete in One Volume.
Mackintosh, James

Octavo. 829 pp. Second edition. Marbled edges and endpapers. A good copy in full brown calf, elaborately gilt on spine, which is in six compartments and bears a gilt-lettered label. Binding shows some chipping, wear, and scratches; small tear in leather at spine head; abrasions and two small holes to a front interior blank, though the initial marbled blank is unmarred. Contains a small dried flower pressed between the pages, accompanied by a slip of paper which is stapled to the book leaf and bears a handwritten note dated 1857.

The Mysterious Marbler With an Historical Introduction, Notes, and Eleven Original Marbled Samples by Richard J. Wolfe.
Sumner, James

Octavo. 70 pp. One of "approximately 250 copies." Sumner's manual, published in 1854, is full of very specific recipes. This is the first of Bird & Bull's fine books on marbling. Fine in handsome marbled boards backed in gilt-titled morocco. Prospectus laid in.