Happy Birthday Don Bachardy

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Inside back cover, image under Japanese paper

Next month on May 18, portrait artist Don Bachardy will celebrate his eightieth birthday. Thanks to the generosity of Peter Putnam, Class of 1942 (1927-1987) and the Mildred Andrews fund (named for his mother), the Graphic Arts Collection holds 27 portrait drawings by this talented California artist. In addition, Putnam donated several books of Bachardy’s portraits, including October (1981) and Don Bachardy: 100 Drawings (1983). .

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To these gifts, we added the collaboration between Bachardy and the actress/printer Gloria Stuart (1910-2010), published through her private press Imprenta Glorias. The design of the book, embellishments, handset type, and printing were all accomplished Stuart, while the images and text are by Bachardy. All 30 copies were bound by Allwyn O’Mara.

bachardy spender drawingsDon Bachardy (born 1934), Portrait of Stephen Spender, January 21, 1964. Pencil on paper with ink wash. Graphic Arts Collection. Gift of Peter Putnam, Class of 1946

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bachardy winter

Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986), October, drawings by Don Bachardy (Los Angeles, Calif.: Twelvetrees Press, 1981). Graphic Arts Collection (GA) Oversize PR6017.S5 Z47 1981q

Don Bachardy (born 1934), Don Bachardy, one hundred drawings (Los Angeles: Twelvetrees Press, 1983). Graphic Arts Collection (GA) NC139.B24 A4 1983

Don Bachardy (born 1934), The Portrait ([Los Angeles]: Imprenta Glorias, 1997). Copy 10 of 30. Graphic Arts Collection (GAX) Oversize Z232.I326 B32q