Lover Beloved (From the Masnavi) Translated by Zahra Partovi with Etchings by T. Kurahara

New York: Vincent FitzGerald & Company, 2000. Artist's book, signed, limited edition, one of 50 copies, all on Apta Verge Royal paper by Richard de Bas, hand-numbered and signed in pencil by the artist, T. Kurahara and the translator, Zahra Partovi. Page size: 9-1/2 inches x 6-1/2 inches; 27pp; + colophon, with four separate suites of etchings by T. Kurahara, each measuring 9-1/2 inches x 38 inches when unfolded (6 folded leaves). Each of the four suites is on paper etched on the reverse - one in gold, one in deep brown, one in lighter brown, and one in brick. These are laid into the bottom of the custom-made blue cloth clamshell box each of the inner trays lined with color-field etch in gold with brick line on brown and reddish-brown with brick line on red. The blue cloth over boards clamshell box is lettered in palladium gilt on the spine with the title. The book is bound in blue cloth by Zahra Partovi. The binding is a long stitch technique using only one piece of thread - a periwinkle blue, visible on the spine in five different lengths on top and bottom with title stamped in palladium gilt on front panel. There are four original etchings in the bound book as well as the suite. Again, these are color field etchings and the artists has interpreted this part of the MASNOVI by the times of day at which the tale is set: early morning, mid-day, dusk and evening with corresponding colors - moving from light pink to inky blue-lavenders. The text has been printed letterpress by Daniel Keleher at Wild Carrot Letterpress in Aldus by Hermann Zapf in black and in light gray for the Persian calligraphy by Zahra Partovi (from polymer plates). The two color printing is a masterpiece in itself with the moving English translation by Ms. Partovi above and below each line of Persian in gray of Ms. Partovi's Persian calligraphy. The title page is printed in red and black with the blue thread exposed and knotted in the gutter of the title page. Jerry Kelly has accomplished the calligraphy on the title page. The etchings were editioned at D2 Press by the artist. The moving text cannot be summarized but must be experienced - preferably in the profoundly beautiful setting of this book. It is an aesthetic experience to savor.