J Martin Pitts GYMNOPAEDIAE Signed Slipcased Limited Edition
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J Martin Pitts GYMNOPAEDIAE Signed Slipcased Limited Edition
Limited edition slipcased hardback of GYMNOPAEDIAE by J. Martin Pitts and published by The Old Stile Press in 1989. Signed (in pencil) by Pitts on the limitation page at the back of the book. Number 57 of 220 copies printed. Binding executed at the Fine Bindery, Wellingborough. Thick, rough-cut paper.The book is in fine condition (quarter black cloth with blue paper covered boards. Black title to spine and terracotta illustration of a Greek sculpture of a nude boy to the front cover, black sprayed top page edges) with no significant wear. The book is in a near fine slipcase which has very light age related staining. Internally the pages are clean and tight and there are no tears or other inscriptions.
Perched on a cliff that towers a thousand windy feet above the southern Aegean stood the ancient city of Thera. First among the sanctuaries and temples of the city was that of Apollo Karneios and in the middle of the month Karneios (August-September) the Karneia took place - the solemn and important festival introduced from Sparta.
At the height of the festivities and when the moon was full, were the Gymnopaediae. On a specially dedicated square, close by the cliff edge, and watched by the citizens (some of whom were moved to express their feelings in graffiti which are still visible in the stones) naked boys danced and sang paeans to the patron of the palaestra, Apollo Kourotrophos, Apollo the 'boy-raiser'.
Unpaginated (80 pages containing a series of male figures in various poses)
ISBN: 0907664229
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J Martin Pitts GYMNOPAEDIAE Signed Slipcased Limited Edition