Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of woodcuts, drawings, correspondence, proofs, book designers' mockups, and woodblocks for an edition of Shakespeare's The Tragedie of King Lear published by Theodore Press in 1986 with illustrations by Claire Van Vliet. The publication is based on the 1623 first folio text of the play, and was produced in a limited edition of 160 copies, each signed by Claire Van Vliet. The woodcuts include several proofs of each illustration, most of which are images of characters in the drama. The collection also includes preliminary pencil drawings for each of the woodcuts, as well as a complete set of the original wood blocks. Correspondence relating to all aspects of the project during 1985 and 1986 is chiefly by Claire Van Vliet, founder of Janus Press, and Michael Alpert, owner of Theodore Press. The collection was assembled and arranged by Claire Van Vliet.