John Willie Mail Order BIZARRE Illustrations 1950s

Most of what is distributed on the web about the work of John Willie is associated with Bizarre magazine and the photographs and illustrations he created for the magazine. However in the mid-1950s Willie sold photographs and reproductions of his artwork via mail order, ephemera that few people outside of die-hard Willie fans know about. The method used was to make a large format negative of the chosen pieces and then make prints on matte surface, heavy-weight 8" x 10" photographic paper. Using his Bizarre mailing list he solicited potential buyers offering the photos for sale, similar to a system employed by Irving Klaw.

Here from the archives is a miscellaneous group from various sets, featuring the exceptional artwork created by Willie in the 1940s and 1950s. It is not known how many of these photographs he created, however they are quite rare and eagerly sought after by collectors.

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Georges Hugnet LA VIE AMOUREUSE DES SPUMIFERES

Georges Hugnet's LA VIE AMOUREUSE DES SPUMIFERES, a book of surreal photographic images, published in Paris, 2011. Created in the 1940s by surrealist artist, writer and publisher Georges Hugnet, the fantasy "spumiferes" creatures were painted on the surface of classic 1920s French, real photo postcards. The ensuing amorous menagerie were first made public in this marvelous and now allusive volume which immediately sold-out at publication. Hugnet's legacy includes the iconic La Septieme Face du De, Huit Jour a Trebeaumec and the 1937 set of surrealist postcards. Click here for more about Hugnet and the surrealist postcards.

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The MAGICIAN Enigmatic Limited Edition Artist's Book/Object

Earlier this month at Comic Arts Brooklyn, a one day event in Williamsburg, I spent some time with Chris Byrne the creator of The Magician. A self described "...epic graphic novel, a bookmaking tour de force, (and) mesmerizing art object..." this most intriguing, beautifully constructed facsimile of a magician's box was years in the making. 

This black box with a large white "M" on the side is indeed a magic box, where all twelve elements have been fitted together, each easily removable. The limited edition box also includes a "soundtrack", an illuminated lens to view "specimen slides" as well as a screen on the front projecting an animated figure. The elements of the piece are all impeccably designed and produced and remain enigmatic even after viewing all the parts. 

 So what is it? Byrne’s succinct description of The Magician:  "It’s set in a public bathroom. The Magician is this character that goes through and reconciles opposites. Every misunderstanding I have about the universe is documented in these objects. And creation myths, too. But it’s all tongue-in-cheek. The Magician takes different forms. He is a sleeping figure. He is a hand. He is sperm. He is a cape".

Quoting from Dan Nadal's piece in The Comics Journal (March,2013) 

which in turn quoted Chris Byrne.

Read the article here.

The Magician is a box of wonders housing a dozen separate publications, printed and hand bound using a variety of techniques. The books include Theogony, Handmade, Down the Head, Mountain Man/She-Wolf, Letterpress Flipbook, 4-Ply Toilet Paper, Moleskine, BM Case, M-Phase, Unfinished Versions, Colophon, and Curtains. Designed by Chris Byrne and Scott Newton. Published by Marquand Books in an edition of 20 copies plus five artist's proofs. 

For additional information contact Ed Marquand, edm@marquand.com.

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