LEC Uncle Remus
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1BionicJim
Thanks to a recent post here https://www.librarything.com/topic/304968#7663293 I was able to acquire a very nice copy of this book, which I have had an interest in since the discussion here https://www.librarything.com/topic/174391#7325656 about the suppression of works now considered distasteful to modern sensibilities.
After spending time with the LEC Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris, my opinion is that it is a fascinating look into the world of black folklore and southern black dialect written by someone that witnessed it personally, so an invaluable resource. Harris’ own introduction to the book (reprinted in the LEC) dives into the similarity of these tales with other myths and stories from cultures around the world. He claims that he didn’t make any of this up, but simply was a transcriber (this is debatable). My reading of a selection of the stories was enjoyable, especially “A Story of the War.” It certainly takes a bit of effort to read the words phonetically and figure out what is being said, but the gratification of finally recognizing some of the more difficult phrases is like solving a puzzle.
As for the book itself, this selection was from December 1957. It arrived to me poorly packaged in an unpadded envelope so the fragile slipcase was broken-up badly. Some patience with my book binding glue, got it in shape pretty well. Also, a soft touch with #000 Steel Wool removed all the extraneous marks on the slipcase, since it is a wood veneer.
The thick canvas cover is stamped with an illustration of Brer Rabbit taken from a woodcut by Seong Moy, a quite successful mid-20th Century American Artist born in Canton, China, according to the Monthly Letter.
I am once again thankful for the Monthly Letter for really helping me to appreciate this book, especially the printing of the woodcuts. When initially skimming the illustrations, I was surprised to see that many of the blacks weren’t solid and assumed the printing was substandard:
However, after reading the ML about the book production, the explanation is amazing. These woodcuts were cut on cherry wood in a way to purposefully allow the grain to show through. “The effect is much the same as it is when the brush-strokes show through in an oil painting - you have picture, artist, and tool all in one.” Furthermore, the printing of the woodcuts required such delicate handling, that it was overseen by the artist, Moy, the designer, Robert L Dothard, the proprietors of the Thistle Press of New York, who printed the book, and the production chief of The Limited Editions Club.
Looking again at the printing, I now could see the grain of the wood clearly and it creates a beautiful effect in the rendering of this scene:
Finally, another picture of the design, which includes a variety of colors for the title of each story:
I’ve posted the Monthly Letter to the Drive, since it looks like it was missing. Someone spilled coffee on it at some point in the past 65 years, but it is still readable. Anyone have the ML for Rousseau’s Confessions?
After spending time with the LEC Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris, my opinion is that it is a fascinating look into the world of black folklore and southern black dialect written by someone that witnessed it personally, so an invaluable resource. Harris’ own introduction to the book (reprinted in the LEC) dives into the similarity of these tales with other myths and stories from cultures around the world. He claims that he didn’t make any of this up, but simply was a transcriber (this is debatable). My reading of a selection of the stories was enjoyable, especially “A Story of the War.” It certainly takes a bit of effort to read the words phonetically and figure out what is being said, but the gratification of finally recognizing some of the more difficult phrases is like solving a puzzle.
As for the book itself, this selection was from December 1957. It arrived to me poorly packaged in an unpadded envelope so the fragile slipcase was broken-up badly. Some patience with my book binding glue, got it in shape pretty well. Also, a soft touch with #000 Steel Wool removed all the extraneous marks on the slipcase, since it is a wood veneer.
The thick canvas cover is stamped with an illustration of Brer Rabbit taken from a woodcut by Seong Moy, a quite successful mid-20th Century American Artist born in Canton, China, according to the Monthly Letter.
I am once again thankful for the Monthly Letter for really helping me to appreciate this book, especially the printing of the woodcuts. When initially skimming the illustrations, I was surprised to see that many of the blacks weren’t solid and assumed the printing was substandard:
However, after reading the ML about the book production, the explanation is amazing. These woodcuts were cut on cherry wood in a way to purposefully allow the grain to show through. “The effect is much the same as it is when the brush-strokes show through in an oil painting - you have picture, artist, and tool all in one.” Furthermore, the printing of the woodcuts required such delicate handling, that it was overseen by the artist, Moy, the designer, Robert L Dothard, the proprietors of the Thistle Press of New York, who printed the book, and the production chief of The Limited Editions Club.
Looking again at the printing, I now could see the grain of the wood clearly and it creates a beautiful effect in the rendering of this scene:
Finally, another picture of the design, which includes a variety of colors for the title of each story:
I’ve posted the Monthly Letter to the Drive, since it looks like it was missing. Someone spilled coffee on it at some point in the past 65 years, but it is still readable. Anyone have the ML for Rousseau’s Confessions?
2Glacierman
I was tempted by this one, but opted to get the Stevenson instead. Enjoy your book!
3laotzu225
>1 BionicJim: Jim, Thanks for this effort and education. It looks like a book I'll want to get!
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