An ABC Tour About France [Limited Edition – Gwasg Gregynog – Hand-Colored Pochoir Illustrations]

Item Details

Wales:, Gwasg Gregynog Ltd.,, 1991, Wraps with Dust Wrapper

Limited Edition, Fine

Peter Allen's An ABC Tour About France reimagines the traditional alphabet book as an artist's travel narrative, with each letter introducing a distinctive French place, subject, or cultural association. Rather than functioning as a children's primer, the alphabet becomes the framework for a visual journey through France, interpreted by one of Britain's most accomplished contemporary printmakers.

Issued by the renowned Gwasg Gregynog in a limited edition, the volume exemplifies the press's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. Allen's original linocut illustrations, each hand-colored by pochoir, elevate the book beyond an illustrated travel work into an accomplished example of modern private press printing and book arts.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Original wraps with a brown paper spine and heavy tan illustrated dust jacket. Designed and printed by David Esslemont and Peter Allen at Gwasg Gregynog. Set in Monotype Baskerville on Arjomari Rivoli paper by compositor David Vickers. Illustrated with 29 original linocuts—including the title-page device, opening illustration, and limitation-page vignette: printed from the original blocks and hand-colored by pochoir with stencils cut by the artist. Oblong, 7.5 by 5.5 inches. Number 188 of an edition limited to 500 copies.

CONDITION: Fine. No flaws or blemishes. Bindings remain tight and square; text and illustrations are fresh and bright. An exceptionally well-preserved copy presenting as gift quality.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE:MODERN GREGYNOG REVIVAL—PRINTMAKING AS STORYTELLING.
Rather than illustrating an existing narrative, Peter Allen allows the images themselves to carry the journey. Each letter becomes a destination and a visual interpretation, transforming the familiar alphabet book into an artist's exploration of French places, architecture, and cultural identity. The result reflects the long tradition of alphabet books while expanding the genre into a sophisticated work of contemporary printmaking.

THE GREGYNOG TRADITION CONTINUE.
Founded in 1922, Gregynog is among the most distinguished names in twentieth-century British private press printing. Following its revival as Gwasg Gregynog, the press continued its commitment to hand craftsmanship, original prints, and finely produced limited editions. An ABC Tour About France exemplifies that tradition by bringing together thoughtful typography, fine materials, and original hand-colored artwork in a harmonious book design.

PETER ALLEN AND THE ARTIST'S BOOK.
Peter Allen has earned recognition as both printmaker and bookmaker, creating works in which illustration, typography, and physical design form an integrated artistic whole. His hand-colored linocuts demonstrate a mastery of relief printing while embracing the expressive possibilities of pochoir coloring, making his books highly regarded among collectors of modern private press printing and contemporary illustrated books.

KEY FEATURES.
+++ The Alphabet as Itinerary — Rather than serving as a simple primer, the alphabet provides the framework for an artist's journey through France, making the volume equally appealing as an illustrated travel book and a modern alphabet book.
+++ Original Pochoir-Colored Linocuts — Features twenty-six original linocut illustrations, each individually hand-colored by pochoir, combining traditional relief printing with the vibrant stencil-coloring technique long associated with fine illustrated books.
+++ Peter Allen, Artist-Printmaker — Demonstrates Allen's distinctive approach to printmaking, where carefully observed landscapes and architecture are interpreted through bold relief designs and expressive hand coloring.
+++ Gregynog Fine Press Craftsmanship — Beautifully produced by Gwasg Gregynog, one of Britain's leading private presses, reflecting its long tradition of fine typography, thoughtful design, and exceptional presswork.
+++ Travel Through the Printed Image — Celebrates the character, history, and visual identity of France through the combined languages of typography, printmaking, and the artist's book.
+++ Alphabet Book Tradition — Reinterprets the classic alphabet book as an artistic and cultural journey, extending a long-established publishing tradition into the realm of fine press printing.

SUBJECTS: Peter Allen, Gwasg Gregynog, Gregynog Press, Alphabet Books, France, Linocuts, Pochoir, Relief Printing, Artist's Books, British Private Press, Fine Printing, Illustrated Travel, Contemporary Printmaking, Private Press, Artist's Books.

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