Roland Penrose 1939 (published) Book page from Roland Penrose The Road is Wider Than Long: An Image Diary from the Balkans July - August 1938 (London: London Gallery Editions, 1939)
Limited edition. One of 500 hand-numbered copies (outside the 10 copies on Milbourn hand-made paper). 8vo. Unpaginated (52pp). Original boards covered with fine woodpaper, blue lettering on front cover and spine. Binding designed by Hans Bellmer. Frontispiece. The Road is Wider Than Long is a masterful combination of surrealist poetry and captivating photography. In July & August of 1938, English historian and poet, Roland Algernon Penrose and photographer and surrealist model, Lee Miller traveled through the Balkans. During their journey, Penrose took pictures as well as taking notes which would develop into the poetic commentary present in this work. The 38 b/w photographs show local customs & people, landscapes, as well as architecture, capturing a serenity and peacefulness that was soon to be shattered by the events of World War II. Shortly after their return, Penrose published The Road is Wider Than Long, dedicating the work to Miller. The publication stands as a bold and striking work of the English Surrealist movement. Printed on Art Paper. Typographically designed printing in red and black.
