Cherryburn Prints: Volume I. Discovered Subjects I to X (and) Volume II. Discovered Subjects XI to XX + 2 additional signed prints, each housed in portfolio cases as issued

Pp. (vol. 1): (5, title page, subjects by discovery, prints without a press); pp. (vol. 2): (2, title page, addendum for Volume II) + 22 linoleum-block prints in colors on Japanese paper, each tipped into a plain paper mat with the printed roman numbers of each print at bottom inside corner; the plates are loose in portfolio as issued. Original hand-made rag-paper wrappers for each volume is printed in red and housed in the publisher’s cream-color linen box over charcoal paper-covered boards with red ribbon ties, spine and front cover with red printed title labels, folio (15 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches). This edition was limited to 20 copies only. Middleton describes the creative process: "Start by spotting several blobs of water color paint, in different hues, on a piece of heavy tracing paper, located well within the whole area; then, subject the paper to quick horizontal movement in several directions. Repeat the process one or more times. The result will be a mass of crisscrossing irregular width lines and solid shapes". This process allowed Middleton to "discover recognizable material, usually in the form of birds, animals, fish, flowers and human profiles, appearing in plausible environments." Middleton was an American book designer, painter, and type designer. Born in Glasgow, Scotland he came to Chicago in 1908 where he studied at the School of the Art Institute. He joined the design department of the Ludlow Typograph Company in 1923 where he served as director from 1933-71. In 1944 he began operating a private press, The Cherryburn Press, producing many fine press editions. This copy of ‘Cherryburn Prints’ came from grandson of R. Hunter Middleton. This copy has two extra prints, the first is dated 1973 and bears the initials RHM, and the second extra print is a large format watercolor (10 1/2 x 8 inches) printed on the stationary of R. Hunter Middleton. Each extra print is added at the beginning of the prints in each portfolio. No ownership marks.