African American: A Handbook

Persimmon and indigo-dyed paste paper, letterpress and digital printing, original poetry, persimmon and indigo-dyed wooden container, 5.5 x 8 inches, 20 copies

This companion piece to Negroes: A Handbook and Colored: A Handbook contains letterpress printed, original poetry on handmade paste paper dyed with indigo and persimmon juice. The colors, patterns, and marks serve as evocative illustrations and background to the text. The dyeing process involved the darkening of the paper over a thirty day period to a deep, rich brown hue. During that time, the paper was regularly burnished to heighten its glossiness and lacquer-like appearance as well as dyeing with indigo. The birch wood container underwent a similar process.

Detail of African American: A Handbook. Image courtesy of Tia Blassingame.