John Crombie formed Kickshaws in 1979 in Paris. Joined by Sheila Bourne, they published over 150 works. Apparent as the esoteric influence of visual poetry and the Oulipo movement may be, their works have the combined smell of the printer and typesetter’s workshop and artist’s studio that distinguish them from that crowd.

ABC in a maze (1987)

ABC in a maze (1987)
John Crombie
Spiral bound on four sides, double gate fold. H95 xW95 mm, 17 leaves. Edition of 300 (150 in English, 150 in French), of which this is Letter of 26 numbered A-Z. Acquired from Librairie Jean-Étienne Huret, 17 March 2022.
Photos: Books On Books Collection.

The cover of this work hides its title, just as the proper order of the pages hides in the reiterations of the alphabet across 17 leaves of this double gatefold puzzle and book.

The French title ABC Dédale carries more freight than the English. Not only does it convey the idea of the maze by reference to its inventor Daedulus, it refers to Cadmus, the Phoenician prince who brought the alphabet to Greece while on his quest to find his sister Europa, mother by Zeus to the Minotaur — the “monster in the alphabet”. If that seems a far-fetched allusion, then consider the additional hint in the name of the chosen typeface: Hélios, the Greek god and personification of the sun, to which Daedulus’ son Icarus flew too close in their escape from Crete.

Portrait évolutif du typographe
“Evolving portrait of the typographer” (1988)

Portrait évolutif du typographe. Fait par lui-même en collaboration avec sa presse en douze passages a partir des trois couleurs primaires
“Evolving portrait of the typographer. Made by himself in collaboration with his press in twelve passes using the three primary colors)”(1988)
John Crombie
Softcover, sewn and glued. 162 x 162 mm. 28 unnumbered pages. Edition of 60, of which this is #42. Acquired from Antiquariat Heinzelmännchen, 2 October 2022.
Photos: Books On Books Collection.

If a selection of works from the Books On Books Collection were made based on the theme of “artists’ books and color”, this small work would have to make the cut. Moving from five small splashes of color in the first pass, subsequent passes build up a multi-colored cartoon image of the typographer in a head-on eyeless gaze. At the seventh pass, however, the colors begin to fade; in the ninth, the features of the portrait begin to erode, and by the twelfth, only streaks of gray and the faintest impression of the outline remain.

A close look at the title reveals that same faint impression of the portrait’s outline. Were it not for its reference to the three primary colors, the title would have to be amended to a baker’s dozen of passes in collaboration with the press.

Further Reading

“Abecedaries I (in progress)“. Books On Books Collection.

“Sonia Delaunay“. Books On Books Collection. In progress.

“Klaus Groh and Hermann Havekost“. 2 July 2021. For another strange four-way binding.

“Karen Hanmer“. 25 October 2021. Books On Books Collection.

“Ursula Hochuli-Gamma“. 18 November 2022. Books On Books Collection.

“Jean Holabird“. 8 February 2022. Books On Books Collection.

“Tatyana Mavrina“. 24 February 2023. Books On Books Collection.

“Kveta Pacovska“. Books On Books Collection. In progress.

“Shirley Sharoff (1)“. 27 March 2019. Books On Books Collection.

“Shirley Sharoff (2)“.1 August 2020. Books On Books Collection.