Thursday, January 26, 2012

In Place & Out by Michael Tarachow



In Place & Out
Michael Tarachow
Pentagram Press
Markesan, Wisconsin
(c) 1982

Full disclosure : I am also the head of Plan B Press.

The reason I bring that up is that one can tell a good deal about the journeys of a small press by what's listed on the title page. In our case, that would include addresses in Leola, PA, Philadelphia, and Alexandria, VA.

Pentagram Press moved more frequently than many a Press. This beautifully crafted, hand-sewn chapbook was produced in the small town of Markesan, Wisconsin in early spring 1982. The poet & published Robie Liscomb gave me a bit of a "virtual tour" of the Press when we corresponded last summer, but it's fair to say that they produced books in nearly every location where they settled for any length of time. There are graphics between each poem, and these were expertly done by Vickie Burton. The copy I possess is #106 of 123 made. Signed by both poet and illustrator.

This is a bloody gorgeous chapbook. Hand-made paper, attention to detail throughout. Just amazing. Printed by someone named Rich Hopkins (who lived in Markesan, perhaps?) at his Hill & Dale Typefoundry. Quite the collector's item.

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