Parallel Botany
Lionni, Leo. Alfred A. Knopf, 1977 (1st American Paperback Ed.). Softbound. Translated by Patrick Creagh. Cover design by Lidia Ferrara. Photos by Enzo Ragazzini. A stunning crypto-botanical jam-packed with Lionni's incredible charcoals of imaginary plants alongside photographic portraits of 'parallel botanists' and world-building text—describing mythical expeditions, folk etymologies, and brazenly pseudoscientific taxonomy—that would go on to inspire Italo Calvino and Luigi Serafini. Lionni taught at Black Mountain College, designed MoMA's ambitious 1955 The Family of Man catalog, and was the first known children's author to illustrate using collage as a medium.
Tight, square, uncreased spine. Clean, unmarked interior. Some moderate edge-wear and areas of toning to the covers, as well as some very light foxing to the edges. 181 pp. Featured Rare & Collectible.
