WHat better way to celebrate bloomsday than with a post about a very special item in my modest collection: A First edition of Joyce’s Ulysses – Almost.
Usylessly is an artist’s book by John Morgan that was published in an edition of 500 copies to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the publication of Joyce’s Novel.
It is designed to be identical with Sylvia Beach’s 1922 edition of Ulysses in every regard, except for …
… the text.
With over 700 blank pages, usylessly would be all too true to its name if it weren’t for two fascinating and generously illustrated essays by Ted Bishop, nestled in the middle of the book.
The essays chart the Physical And cultural transformations of Joyce’s novel, from modernist contraband to post-copyright commodity, and embark on a journey of archival discovery including over forty copies of the 1922 edition.
An excellent Read for BLoomsday!
Evi Heinz 