In the Finnish epic Kalevala, Lemminkäinen drowns in the river of the underworld while attempting to capture the Black Swan. His mother fishes her dead son’s body parts from the river and sews him back together. The only thing that can restore his life is a drop of honey from the dwelling of Ukko, the God of the Sky.
In this painting, Lemminkäinen’s mother waits for the bee to deliver the precious drop of honey to revive her son.
Noted Swiss artist Hans Erni (1909-2015) illustrated this edition of Sophocles’s Antigone with 14 original etchings. The text was translated by
André Bonnard and printed
by master printer André Kundig in Geneva
in 30 pt. Garamond on handmade rag paper from the Favier Mill in Auvergne, and published in Lausanne by André Gonin
in 1949 in an edition of 230 copies signed by the artist and publisher. Erni would continue to illustrate publications for Gonin, especially classical texts, for the next 30 years. In his very long career, Erni illustrated around 200 books, and both he and his philanthropist sister Maria Strebi-Erni lived to very ripe old ages, Hans to 106 and Maria to 107.
Our copy of Antigone is yet another donation from our friend Jerry Buff.
“The Minotaur doesn’t like to smoke, but smokes anyway, smokes menthols because he likes them even less, while JoeJoe dances to the static-y music thumping out of the boom box at his feet, the music fighting with the sounds of the exhaust fan over their heads and the incessant traffic on the highway below.”
Steven Sherill, “The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break”
A young, and incredibly handsome George Washington is taught the path of the warrior by none other than the Goddess of America, Herself.
George Washington is forced to defend his wife “Carol” from a dastardly British assassination attempt, led by the nefarious English officer Asura (far left).
John Adams does furious battle with a giant serpent
Benjamin Franklin fires an entire cannon with his bare hands as John Adams directs the fire.
Washington’s on the move in his carriage, whom the author points out with breathless amazement was only pulled by two - yes, *Only Two!* - horses! His trusty soldiers lead the way, with a star-less American flag proudly flying.
George Washington fights a tiger.
Franklin and Adams have had a falling out.
Adams has had enough, he gets on his horse and fires off an arrow at Franklin before speeding away. Franklin doesn’t even flinch.
John Adams has gone to visit and take care of his mother in a touching display of filial piety.
While Adams’ back is turned, the snake he fought earlier has returned and eats his mother!
Adams beseeches the Fairy of the Mountain (I am deadass serious about ALL OF THIS) to lend him supernatural help in seeking revenge against the matrivorous serpent
The Mountain Fairy hears Adams’ desperate pleas, and enlists the aid of a Giant Bald Eagle (named Freedom) to do battle with this serpent
All is now well under Heaven! America reigns supreme, free from both giant beasts and British influence!
