This Open Zoo: A Bestiary (SIGNED)

FRANCIS, Dennis; LAGORIO, Irene (illustrator).

This Open Zoo: A Bestiary.

FIRST EDITION. Carmel, California: The Salamander Press, 1971. 44 pp. A bestiary of 21 poems by Dennis Francis, with calligraphy and illustrations by Irene Lagorio; introduction by Alfred Frankenstein, the noted San Francisco Chronicle art and music critic. 

Inscribed by the author to the illustrator and marked by him "Book #1" on the title page: "To Irene Lagorio — Your kindness and understanding help me immeasurably. Dear friend — I will always hold you in my heart. Dennis Francis, 2-6-71."

An exceptional association copy: Irene Lagorio's own copy of the book she illustrated, the first off the press, presented to her by the poet. Lagorio (1921–1994) was a central figure of the Monterey Peninsula art world — later the longtime art critic for the Monterey Herald and, in 1972, president of the Carmel Art Association. Her hand-lettered calligraphy throughout, and her elaborate pictorial dust jacket with its striking sea-monster design, make this a distinctive piece of Carmel small-press bookmaking. A first-copy-off-the-press presentation from author to collaborator — about as close to the making of the book as a copy can stand.

SKU TO-2026-073