An Animated Alphabet (1996)

An Animated Alphabet (1996)
Marie Angel
Paperback, perfect bound. H140 x W160 mm, 64 pages. Acquired from Redux Books, 28 April 2021.
Photos: Books On Books Collection.

In the 1960s, Philip Hofer of Harvard’s Houghton Library commissioned the British illustrator to create a series of bestiaries. A black and white edition of An Animated Alphabet appeared in 1967. The publisher David Godine issued this full color edition in 1996. Before the Godine edition, other abecedaries appeared, including Marie Angel’s Exotic Alphabet (a lift-the-flap double-sided accordion book) in 1992, the colorful Angel’s Alphabet in 1986 and An Alphabet of Flowers in 1987.

From An Animated Alphabet

An Animated Alphabet (1971)

An Animated Alphabet (1971)
Marie Angel
Cased softcover, sewn. H140 x W105 mm. [64] pages. First edition. Acquired from Oakholm Books, 29 August 2023.
Photos: Books On Books Collection.

From the earlier two-color Harvard edition.

A Bestiary (1960)

A Bestiary (1960)
Marie Angel
Cased softcover, sewn. H100 x W104 mm. 60 pages. First edition, 1000 copies. Acquired from Oakhlm Books, 29 August 2023.
Photos: Books On Books Collection.

Some illustrations’ initials are the monograms of their commissioners. The originals were painted in color on vellum.

Perhaps the earliest commission by Hofer of Angel’s drawing and calligraphy.

Marie Angel’s Exotic Alphabet (1992)
Marie Angel
Ribbon-tied, paper on boards case, inclosing lift-the-flap double-sided accordion book. Closed: H172 x W202 x D28 mm. Open: W2730 mm, 27 panels, including title panel. Acquired from Robert Gavora, Fine and Rare Books, 7 September 2021.
Photos: Books On Books Collection.

An Alphabet of Garden Flowers (1987)
Casebound with decorated endpapers. H205 x W140 mm, 66 pages.
Angel’s Alphabet (1996)
Casebound with decorated endpapers. H140 x W 160 mm, 60 pages.
Acquired 7 June 2021. Photos: Books On Books Collection

Even with different audiences, Angel’s style and eye for choice show through from A to Z.

Further Reading

“Abecedaries I (in progress)“, Books On Books Collection, 31 March 2020.

Mullen, Chris. n.d. “Marie Angel’s Alphabet”, in “The alphabet of illustrators and artists”, The Visual Telling of Stories. Accessed 7 June 2021.