The First American Wordless Novel: Lynd Ward's Gods' Man

Lynd Ward. GODS' MAN: A NOVEL IN WOODCUTS. London and Toronto: Jonathan Cape, 1930. Hardcover. Quarter black cloth over b&w illustrated paper-covered boards, top edge stained black, black endpapers, with paper label on the spine. 8vo; unpaginated with images on the recto of each leaf.

8 3/8 x 6 1/8 in.

Private Collection, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Lynd Ward (American, 1905-1985) was a Chicago-born artist best known for his prints and book illustrations. He created Gods' Man, the first American wordless novel, and he went on to publish five more as well as win several awards including a Caldecott Medal. His work had a tremendous influence on book illustrators and graphic novelists.

Boards slightly bowed with light grime and small stains; spine slightly cocked with light grime, toned label, minor end wear, and some separation from text block at head; bookplate on front pastedown; pages with light scattered foxing and rare minor grime or blemish, otherwise a clean interior. About very good/none.