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James, Jennifer, Georgina. Are the Butlers. Father, mother, daughter.

The autobiography of a family.
An autopsy of book design.


A story

James Jennifer Georgina – A story by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones

Written between the lines of 1136 meticulously documented postcards, spanning ten years of travel, is the tale of the Butler family. It is a story of abandonment and love, of sickness and health, and of a marriage in transit.

In this bright-yellow, 1200-page volume, world-renowned designer Irma Boom carefully and thoroughly retraces the journey of a lifetime. Her Yellow Book is a monument to book design, and an epic family portrait.


A story in postcards

From 1989 to 1999, James and I drove 270,000 miles together. As the roads unrolled, I would think about our daughter Georgina, about what to tell her. We travelled to save James and to protect our daughter. And every day we were apart I wrote to her.

James Jennifer Georgina – A story in postcards by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones

The first act of the book—an exquisitely printed selection of postcards, penned in Jennifer’s steady hand, with James’ irregular interjections—sets the calm, but relentless pace, in which the Butlers confront their obstacles; mile by mile, stamp by stamp, one day at a time.

Stamped this month in 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 14, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 14, 1991

Thursday, 14 March 1991

We have not had good luck with schedules again. Two passengers checked in but failed to show up on the plane. Security had to discover their baggage, unload it and now we have forfeited our departure slot.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 15, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 15, 1991

Eygalières, Friday, 15 March 1991

The water tanks and the heating system are in place.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, March 19, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, March 19, 1991

uesday, 19 March 1991

I am taking Grippal but Dad is looking after me very well.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 21, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 21, 1991

Thursday, 21 March 1991

I have the good luck to be my age with such a baby.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 22, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 22, 1991

Friday, 22 March 1991

Blanche was burgled last night. My Polaroid camera was stolen.

Stamped this month in 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 15, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 15, 1992

Sunday, 15 March 1992

The Channel crossing is very rough but Daddy isn’t thinking about it: he is deep into the Sunday’s [newspapers] and the coming general election.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 15, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 15, 1992

Sunday, 15 March 1992

Uneventful, grey journey of 385 miles to the same hotel as last month. Wonderful salads with offal (or awful if you don’t like it!).

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, March 17, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, March 17, 1992

Tuesday, 17 March 1992

Daddy has been brilliant. His French is so good the natives want to claim him.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 18, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 18, 1992

Wednesday, 18 March 1992

Mum is now getting tonsillitis and is living on Grippal and Camomile Tea. She’d do better on garlic and red wine. The tiles in your room are now dry and look booful.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 19, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 19, 1992

[Lobster telephone, mixed media, Salvador Dali, 1936]

Thursday, 19 March 1992

Asparagus is in season. But we haven’t yet eaten a lobster, especially this one which is trying to stop Mum phoning.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, March 21, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, March 21, 1992

Saturday, 21 March 1992

But of course our appetites are always larger than our disciplines!

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 22, 1992

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 22, 1992

Sunday, 22 March 1992

It was election day today in France. The English vote on Thursdays.

Stamped this month in 1993

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, March 1, 1993

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, March 1, 1993

Hollyrood Palace, Monday, 1 March 1993

What a week: Thursday night, Miami; Friday night, Delta Airlines; Saturday night, Gladfen; Sunday night, Edinburgh; Monday night, Londay, 35 Campbell Court and Tuesday night, France.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 3, 1993

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 3, 1993

Mercredi, le 3 mars 1993

Back to school: I feel I have forgotten everything I learned since October. French seemed a foreign foreign language. We worked on the prénom rélatif, my old enemy. Le quel, la quelle etc.

Bought a piece of meat today called a ‘jarret sans os’ – a shin. Though it looked tender from the counter, it is more like a cement block.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 4, 1993

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 4, 1993

Vendredi, le 4 mars 1993

I wish French were as easy to learn as you are to love.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 12, 1993

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 12, 1993

Sunday, 28 March 1993

It’s tiring having to speak French all day.

Stamped this month in 1994

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 11, 1994

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 11, 1994

London, le 11 mars 1994

Chinese life is full of sadness but this ends with a family reunion. Movies just keep improving. ***** This is a film (‘The Joy Luck Club’) worth owning. ‘This feather came from far away... it is full of all my good intentions.’ When you grow up you will know because you will have felt in your heart all my good intentions.

Stamped this month in 1996

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 1, 1996

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 1, 1996

Vendredi, le 1 mars 1996

Pa is in Scotland with the Princess Royal. I did take note at the ball: the Princess has very quiet hands, which never leave her lap except to eat or drink water (she doesn’t drink spirits in public).

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 3, 1996

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 3, 1996

Sunday, 3 March 1996

I suppose drink could give you a verdict of accidental death. I know alcoholism is going to be a theme, dysfunctional marriage; I don’t want to deal with ‘step’ anything on this 1st effort. Save that for later. I’m using Rose Buckler as the detective’s name. I’m not jumping up and down with joy. I’ve just taken it home on approval.

Stamped this month in 1997

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 14, 1997

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, March 14, 1997

Londres, vendredi, le 14 mars 1997

It was Augustine who came from Rome in 597 and converted the King of Kent to Christianity. He was made first Archbishop of Canterbury.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, March 15, 1997

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, March 15, 1997

Samedi, le 15 March 1997

Mummy is St. Columba, the scribe, writing down and thinking about the events around about her.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 16, 1997

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 16, 1997

Londres, dimanche, le 16 mars 1997

The hands on this stamp are particularly moving: not only because of the geometrics but the elegance and the way they lead the eye. I like the tenderness with which the King has crossed his heart in obedience to God and I like the hand of St. Augustine blessing the king.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, March 18, 1997

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, March 18, 1997

Mardi, le18 mars 1997

I have four people working for me and I am still having to manage every one. Always hire professionals who want things done to your specifications.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 19, 1997

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 19, 1997

Mercredi, le 19 mars 1997

Frock is a good old-fashioned word. And the Victoria & Albert is a great museum. The Award Ceremony went well, but I was scared as it was the first time that I was the boss!

Stamped this month in 1998

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 18, 1998

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 18, 1998

Mercredi, 18 mars 1998

À 19h30 chez Woolf j’étais fait un sujet de la reine.

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 22, 1998

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, March 22, 1998

Dimanche, le 22 mars 1998

All of my chores will be done. And with luck I can finish the rewrite of Chapter 14. I’m running out of Xanax so the journey to Cardiff will be particularly taxing. I won’t have any artificial aids to cap my anger. Of course, there is always food and brew.


A story in many postcards

As many days as there are clouds.

October 1989

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, October 26, 1989

November 1989

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, November 15, 1989

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, November 16, 1989

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, November 24, 1989

December 1989

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, December 3, 1989

January 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, January 11, 1990

March 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, March 15, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, March 17, 1990

May 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, May 13, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, May 15, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, May 16, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, May 18, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, May 19, 1990

June 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, June 18, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, June 19, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, June 21, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, June 22, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, June 24, 1990

July 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, July 30, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, July 31, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, July 31, 1990

August 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, August 8, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, August 8, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, August 9, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, August 10, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, August 12, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, August 13, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, August 14, 1990

September 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, September 1, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, September 4, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, September 6, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, September 10, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, September 21, 1990

November 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, November 19, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, November 20, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, November 20, 1990

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, November 21, 1990

February 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, February 14, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, February 19, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, February 20, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, February 21, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, February 22, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, February 23, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, February 28, 1991

March 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Saturday, March 16, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, March 18, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, March 20, 1991

April 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, April 1, 1991

May 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, May 3, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Friday, May 31, 1991

June 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, June 3, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, June 30, 1991

July 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, July 1, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, July 2, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, July 8, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, July 24, 1991

August 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, August 6, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, August 12, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, August 12, 1991

October 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Thursday, October 17, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Monday, October 21, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Tuesday, October 22, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Wednesday, October 30, 1991

November 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – Postcard stamped on Sunday, November 3, 1991

James Jennifer Georgina – A story in many postcards by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones


A story with con­ver­sa­tions

The second act of the saga takes place a decade after the Butlers’ journey ends, when their daughter Georgina is coming of age. In 21 transcribed, informal conversations, the family openly and honestly discusses their shared history, recorded on the postcards.

James Jennifer Georgina – A story with conversations by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones

Conversation Twenty-one [Excerpt]

James Jennifer Georgina

Manor Farm, Dorset, Friday, 21 May, 2010

Jennifer It’s the last dialogue and the theme—surprise, surprise—is the postcards. I’ve read and reread the postcards so many times.

Georgina When did we start keeping them? Why weren’t they thrown out?

Jennifer My intent was always to give you a history of me, of us, of Dad because I was denied that. I don’t even have a photograph of me with my mother. Not one. YES. I wanted someone to know I became part of a family and, as it turned out, a very ancient family. My life began with me. I have no information about my ancestors. So I married a husband with a great ancestry. [Uncertain if this is funny or sad]

James I think Mumm did have a lot of guilt about being away so much. It was complicated. It was a way of keeping in touch and keeping me alive.

Georgina Why did the postcards stop?


A story about family

James Jennifer Georgina – A story about family by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones

I don’t remember you and Dad at all before seven.

In the third, and last act of the book, the Butlers’ story is presented in yet a different way. An intimate selection of pictures from family albums, depicts the protagonists, as their lives unfold, both separately and together.


A book

In this exclusive, limited-edition tome, internationally acclaimed bookmaker Irma Boom explores narrative structure and storytelling, in relation to graphic design. Respectfully, yet uncompromisingly, she captures the true story of a family; its beauty, but also its reality.

James Jennifer Georgina – A book by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones

As equally extraordinary and innovative as the narrative structure, is the design of the rich yellow object itself. A unique three part spine was especially developed for this nine centimeters-thick book, allowing it to open effortlessly at any page.


A book by Irma Boom

Amsterdam-based graphic designer Irma Boom's prolific and influential body of work (currently consisting of over 250 books) focuses on the elemental and formal aspects of book design—size, paper, structure, and binding—in relation to the content. During a time when the lineage of book printing history is rapidly changing course, Irma’s designs have brought her international recognition, and commissions including Chanel, Ferrari and the United Nations. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Gutenberg‑Preis and Johannes Vermeer Prijs. Irma’s work has been exhibited in museums worldwide, and is included in the permanent collections of the MoMA, and the University of Amsterdam.


A book as a portrait

James Jennifer Georgina – A book as a portrait by Irma Boom for Erasmus Publishing – Product photo by Ivan Jones

During the creation of this book, which entailed an intensive, three-year collaboration between Irma Boom and the Butlers, she invited renowned Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf to make portraits of the family, in his signature style.


Purchase

ISBN 978-0-9566266-0-8

Unsigned editions of James Jennifer Georgina for € 666.

Signed editions of James Jennifer Georgina for € 3000.

Display copies of James Jennifer Georgina are available at the following bookstores, museums and collections:

New York

MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art)

11 West 53 Street
New York, New York 10019-5497
+1 212 7089400
http://moma.org

Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago

111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60603-6404
+1 312 4433600
http://artic.edu

Paris

The American Library in Paris

10, rue du Général Camou
75007 Paris
+33 1 53591260
http://americanlibraryinparis.org

Amsterdam

Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam

Museumplein 10
1071 DJ Amsterdam
+31 20 5732911
http://stedelijk.nl

UvA Special Collections

Oude Turfmarkt 129
1012 GC Amsterdam
+31 20 5257300
http://bijzonderecollecties.uva.nl

Nijhof & Lee

Oude Turfmarkt 129
1012 GC Amsterdam
+31 20 5257300
http://www.nijhoflee.nl

Eindhoven

Van Abbemuseum

Bilderdijklaan 10
5611 NH Eindhoven
+31 40 2381000
http://vanabbemuseum.nl


Colophon

Book design and concept by Irma Boom, http://irmaboom.nl

With photos by Erwin Olaf, http://www.erwinolaf.com

Website design and texts by Joris Landman, http://jorislandman.com

Product photos by Ivan Jones, http://ivan-jones.co.uk

Published by Erasmus Publishing Limited, http://erasmuspublishing.com

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All information on this website falls within the terms of copyright or is part of the public domain as far as the publisher is aware and has been able to verify. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from the copyright holder(s).