Sappho's Leap
A Novel
by Erica Jong

Norton, 2003
Bound by Minsky 2003
12" x 7" diameter

Bound as a scroll. Papyrus endpaper printed inkjet with reproduction of Sappho text from early scroll fragment. Wood endcaps with oil base stain, 23K gold leaf, polyurethane and lacquer. Inset brass bushing for cedar scroll handle, which is contained in scroll center under removable endcap. Scroll cover is lacquered inkjet adapted from Greek Krater image of Alcaeus and Sappho. 

The title page is at the end, rather than the beginning of the scroll. This was an ancient practice, to keep the title at the most protected part of the scroll.

Click on any image below for larger pictures.

 Upon removing the cover, a papyrus scroll is seen. 

The papyrus with Sappho's text from a 2,300 year old fragment. 

A handle for the scroll is contained under the endcap. 

The cedar handle screws into a brass bushing in the bottom endcap.

The Minsky label is on the base.

 

Other bindings by Minsky on books by Erica Jong: Becoming Light. Bound by Minsky 1991 Inventing Memory: Bound by Minsky 1998 Any Woman's Blues Bound by Minsky 2000 Fear of Flying and Fear of Dying Bound by Minsky 2018 click on the links or photos to go to these pages. You may also want to visit Erica Jong's Website

See a Minsky project featuring Sappho wedding fragments, on a  diptych made as an anniversary gift:

• Section A Bindings 1968-79
• Section B Bindings 1979-85
• Section C Bindings 1986-88
• Section D Sculptural Bookworks from 1988
• Section E Bindings 1988-94
• Section F Painted Car, Watercolor studies, Bindings
• Section G Sculptural bookworks 1988, 1994-98
• Minsky's Resume and Bibliography

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