Imaginary Books: A Journey Thru the Unseen Literary Treasures of History
In the heart of midtown Manhattan, a hidden gem awaits book lovers and history enthusiasts alike. At the Grolier Club, an exhibition showcases a collection of literary works that never existed—yet feel tantalizingly real. From the lost translation of Homer’s single comic epic to Sylvia Plath’s unpublished manuscript Double Exposure,this exhibit invites visitors to explore the realm of the imaginary,where fiction and history intertwine.
A Collection of the Unseen
The exhibit, on display until February 15, features a curated selection of books that exist only in the imagination. Among the highlights are Aristotle’s Poetics II: On Comedy, believed to have been lost in a Benedictine Abbey fire in 1327, as described in Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose.Also on view is the Book of the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert’s Dune, imagined as a text from 20,000 years in the future. Each piece in the collection bridges the gap between reality and fantasy, offering a glimpse into what could have been.
“it takes a certain suspension of disbelief to even consider having an exhibition of the imaginary,” said Reid Byers, the creator and curator of the Imaginary Books collection.
Byers,a bibliophile with a diverse background as a Presbyterian minister,welder,and C language programmer,has spent years imagining what thes lost or fictional texts might look like.His meticulous attention to detail brings these imaginary books to life, allowing visitors to experience them as if they were real.
Beyond Fiction: A Journey Through Imagination
the exhibit challenges visitors to embrace the concept of the imaginary, transforming it into something tangible. Byers likens the experience to stepping through a hidden door into a secret room,where the boundaries between reality and fiction blur. “If you went in and looked at that, and if the liminality is propitious, you can see all the way to Wonderland,” he explained during a recent tour of the exhibition.
While many have attempted to collect imaginary books in list form or as decorative elements, such as the comedic titles on jib doors, Byers’s collection takes this concept to a new level.His work transcends mere decoration, offering a deeper exploration of the literary imagination and its impact on history and culture.
A Rare Glimpse into the Unseen
The Grolier Club’s exhibit is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring allure of books. Whether you’re a fan of ancient Greek literature, modern science fiction, or the works of Sylvia Plath, this collection offers something for everyone. As you wander through the exhibit,you’ll find yourself transported to a world where the impossible becomes possible,and the imaginary feels real.
Don’t miss this unique chance to explore the unseen treasures of literary history. The Imaginary books exhibit runs until February 15 at the Grolier Club in Manhattan. Whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile or simply curious about the intersection of fiction and reality, this is an experience you won’t wont to miss.
For more information, visit the Grolier Club website.
Imaginary Books: A Whimsical Journey Through Literary Fantasies
Step into the Grolier club in New York City, where an extraordinary exhibition brings to life the world of books that never were.”Imaginary Books: From the lost to the Fictional” is a captivating showcase of literary creations that exist only in the minds of authors and readers alike. This unique exhibition, curated by renowned bibliophile and expert on private libraries, Michael Byers, offers a glimpse into the imaginative realms of lost manuscripts, fictional tomes, and speculative works.
From Lost Classics to Fictional Fantasies
The exhibition opens with a tantalizing question: What might Ernest Hemingway’s first novel have looked like if it hadn’t been stolen from his wife Hadley at the Gare de Lyon in 1924? Similarly, what if Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labours Won” had survived beyond 1610? these lost treasures are just the beginning of a journey through the realms of speculative literature. The exhibition also delves into unfinished works, categorizing them as destroyed, orphaned, abandoned, thought out, conjectural, and proposed. One notable example is Raymond Chandler’s hypothetical “Shakespeare in Baby talk,” rendered as a whimsical children’s book with a darkly humorous twist.
“The sheer mechanics of presenting to the public a series of objects that cannot possibly be on display present a broad spectrum of curatorial challenges, only some of which have been entirely overcome.”
The challenges of curating such an exhibition are immense,especially when it comes to fictive works—books that exist only within the pages of other books.Among the highlights is ”Rules & Traffic Regulations That May Not Be Bent or Broken,” a driver’s handbook mentioned in Norman Juster’s “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Another gem is “The Songs of the Jabberwock,” bound in purple and printed backwards, as described by Byers: “pretty much as Alice found it sitting right inside the mirror.”
A Journey Through Literary Imagination
One of the most intriguing pieces is “The Lady Who Loved Lightning” by Clare Quilty, a character from Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita.” This maroon-colored book is a unique specimen, as it is “a book written by a character who does not exist, even in the book of origin. So it’s doubly imaginary,” Byers explained.
The exhibition is a testament to the boundless creativity of literature. Byers began with a list of about 400 imaginary book titles, half of which were past and half fictive. “No one can make a complete list of fictional books unless they have read all of the literature,” he noted. Eventually, the list was narrowed down to 114 titles on display. The decision to include a book often hinged on whether Byers and his team could envision what it should look like. For instance, a lost work by the Roman historian Suetonius was relatively easy to conceptualize, while “The Octarine Fairy Book” by Terry Pratchett posed a greater challenge. The replica, shimmering in iridescent blue and gold, captures the essence of a color that is “only visible to wizards and cats.”
“Imaginary Books” is a party of the literary imagination, offering a whimsical and elaborate exploration of the books that could have been, should have been, and never were. It’s a must-see for anyone who has ever wondered about the stories that lie just beyond the pages of our favorite novels.
When and Where to Visit
the exhibition is open to the public at the Grolier Club until December 31, 2023. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of literary fantasies and discover the books that exist only in the imagination.
Imaginary Books: A Whimsical Collection Blurs the Line Between Fiction and Reality
In a world where books often transport readers to far-off lands and fantastical realms, one collection stands out for its playful blend of imagination and reality. The Grolier Club in New York City recently unveiled “Imaginary Books,” a unique exhibit that challenges the boundaries of what a book can be.
A Collaborative Effort
Designed by artist and bookmaker Peter Byers,about half of the collection was brought to life through the creative collaboration of letterpress artist Martha Kearsley,calligrapher Margo Dittmer,and historical bookbinding expert Jeff altepeter. “They all get the gag,” Byers quipped, referring to the playful nature of the project.
The books,meticulously arranged and styled to resemble a genuine rare books display,feature faux provenance and classifications. But what lies within their pages? Byers, ever the storyteller, answers in character: “These are magic books.They are held in existence only by a carefully balanced ontological tension. For technical, thaumaturgical reasons, they cannot be opened. If you were to open one, it would protect itself by turning into something else.”
Alternatively,he admits,about half the books are blank inside,while the rest contain other texts within their bindings.The ambiguity adds to the charm and mystery of the collection.
A Playful Tribute to Imagination
Byers describes “Imaginary Books” as a sincere and true gag, complete with a fictional ”sponsorship” by the Mountweazel Foundation in Faraway Hills, New York. For those unfamiliar, a mountweazel is a term for a fake entry in a reference work, frequently enough planted to catch copyright infringement. The playful nod to this concept underscores the whimsical nature of the exhibit.
Despite its playful origins, the collection of 114 works—or 113, as Juan Villoro’s self-descriptive The Wild Book has mysteriously escaped—feels remarkably real. “It feels real in a very different way,” Byers explained. “That’s why some of them can give you a little stand-up hair at the back of your neck. It’s the feeling of ‘oh, how I wish I could open that.'”
The exhibit invites visitors to question the nature of books, creativity, and the power of imagination. Whether you see them as blank pages waiting to be filled or as magical tomes beyond reach, “Imaginary Books” offers a unique experience that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
A Must-See for Book Lovers
for book enthusiasts and art lovers alike, “Imaginary Books” is a must-see exhibit. it not only showcases the craftsmanship and creativity of its makers but also invites viewers to explore the limitless possibilities of storytelling. As Byers puts it, “It’s a celebration of the imagination, and what could be more real than that?”
The Grolier Club’s “Imaginary Books” exhibit is on display until [insert date]. Don’t miss the chance to experience this one-of-a-kind collection that redefines what a book can be.
