Illustrations by Picasso, Rockwell, others on display at the Main Library

Illustrations by Picasso, Rockwell, others on display at the Main Library

The exhibit “Artists and Authors Unite,” which runs through March 29 in the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room, showcases an extensive collection of works compiled by George Macy, who revolutionized the art of fine book making when he established the Limited Editions Club in 1929.

He offered subscribers visually exquisite limited editions of literary classics featuring original illustrations by artists including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Norman Rockwell, and Grant Wood. All are signed by the illustrator. 

Among the books on display are:

·         “Poor Richard: The Almanac for the Years 1733–1758” by Richard Saunders (Benjamin Franklin). Reprinted in 1964, illustrated by Normal Rockwell. One of only 1,500 copies.

·         “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes, reprinted in 1934 and illustrated by Pablo Picasso. One of 1,500 copies.

·         “Cathay: Poem after Li Po” by Ezra Pound, reprinted in 1992, including seven color woodcuts by Francesco Clements. One of only 300 copies

·         “Music, Deep Rivers in My Soul” by Maya Angelou, published in 2003, illustrated by Dean Mitchell. One of only 400 copies, signed by Mitchell and Wynton Marsalis, who produced an original jazz composition to accompany the book.

Hours for the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 513-369-6900. Visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.