This book was a collaboration with Steve Black, Associate Professor of Art at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana, who did the lettering and illustrations.

While I was playing around with spineless book, I began to try and visualize books that had multiple spines, and wondered how (and if) such a beast could actually work as a book structure.  At about the same time, the Guild of Book Workers announced an opportunity for binders to enter a juried competition of Abecedaria, or ABC books.  I decided to try a book with two opposing textblocks - thus spine on the left and the right - that would shuffle together like a deck of cards.

The result was fascinating, but disappointing.  When one was finished reading the book, one had to painstakingly “read in reverse” back through it, leaf by leaf, in order to leave it closed the way it had been.

If I were to do it again, I would construct the book to be read from back to front, so that the initial opening would be complete (resulting in a very satisfying sound, as of cards being shuffled), and that as the book was “read” it would , upon completion, be closed.  The binding was austere: white alum tawed goatskin, undecorated, over opposing text blocks sewn on hemp cords, with marbled paste downs front and back.  The front covers meet in the center, and are held together by an ivory closure made from recycled piano key.