Ephemerus is the 2017 artist’s book edition from the Marjorie S. Coffey Library Endowment Residency at the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. The book was designed by H.M. Batsel (Chicago, Illinois) during the semester-long residency in the fall of 2017. The book is inspired by Batsel’s research and study of occult and magical texts from the Harold and Mary Jean Hanson Rare Book Collection and movable books from the Baldwin Children’s Book Collection in the Special and Area Studies Collections Department, notably:
Natural Magick, John Baptist Porta (1658)
Works of the Highly Experienced and Famous Chymist, John R. Glauber (1689)Historical, Physiological and Theological Treatise of Spirits, John Beaumont (1705)
Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Henry Cornelius Agrippa (1651)
Always Jolly! A Moveable Toybook, Lothar Meggendorfer (1891)
Ephemerus tells the story of a magician and his dying apprentice who the magician attempts to spare from death through his mastery of magic and spiritual negotiation. The story reveals the limitations of power and the reality of human frailty.
This book was letterpress printed in the UF School of Art and Art History Type Shop and co-produced by H.M. Batsel and Ellen Knudson (Associate in Book Arts, University of Florida). The book is printed from linoleum reduction blocks by the artist and photopolymer plates by Boxcar Press on Murillo paper. Drum-leaf binding structure. Three pages in the book contain movable “pop-up” parts. 8.5 x 6 x 2”. 13 pages. © 2017 Hannah Batsel for the Library Press @ UF.
To see more of Hannah Batsel’s work, visit her website.
