Baskin, Leonard. Diptera: A Book of Flies & Other Insects

(Northampton, MA), The Gehenna Press, 1983. (7) text p., 33 lvs of col. copperplate etchings, colophon w. col. etching. Printed in 45 copies on various English hand-made papers; this copy numb. 28, signed in pencil, w. dedication to Nico Israel "For Nico from Leonard 1987". Four fascicles, in tan morocco chemise, gilt-lettered red morocco inset on front cover, silk endpapers, in corresponding morocco and marbled paper clamshell box, by Gray Parrot. Inserted: prospectus for the present work (folded) and handwritten letter by Baskin to Nico Israel, dated 1987. In the letter Baskin presents the present work to Israel and invites him to come to the United States. He also reflects on the book: "It does inevitably live in the world of M. Sibyllam M.[erian], [Johannes] Gödaert, et alia, but has, I hope, a look & feel of its own."

In fine condition. Cornell University Rare Books and Manuscripts Collections: "Exploring a long-held interest in natural history, Leonard Baskin embarked upon a project to record flying insects in near-microscopic detail. Diptera: A Book of Flies & Other Insects, 1983, is at its core an ode to insects. Diptera is the order that comprises all insects with one pair of wings, including mosquitoes and flies. The artist's unusual choice of subject matter recalls the work of nineteenth-century naturalists and entomological illustrators, another example of how easily Baskin crossed traditional artistic boundaries. Baskin conceived the project with the help of his friend, the poet Jose Iglesias, who wrote the introduction. Diptera also signaled the artist's new interest in colour etchings. Many of his plates were meticulously inked à la poupée, an antique French technique that employed multiple coloured inks."