“…mystery surrounds this erotically charged novel ….the ABC’s of Canadian fine furniture design and production…” – Ottawa Citizen
“…like good wine – rich, complex, pleasingly acerbic…a dance of intellect and eros that expertly unfolds …and closes with panache…” – Jim Bartley, Globe & Mail, Toronto
“…a psycho-sexual tug of war in the world of design…” – Spring Book Review, Globe & Mail, Toronto
‘The Gilded Beaver by Anonymous’
LOOK FORWARD
IMAGINE, dear reader, if you will, that we are in the year two-thousand-eight-hundred and ninety-seven. 2897 A.D.
We are watching an old man. His name is Wong. He is carefully removing the tattered remnants of decaying cloth from an ancient and fragile black walnut chair frame. As he gently brushes the dirt and grime from the back of a brittle marquetry panel, an inscription is uncovered in a language that he does not know. Close by, there are two numbers beside each other, pencil written by two different hands. One is relatively recent, the other an ancient script.
1997 / 2336
Wong’s experienced fingers caress the smooth worn-out carving on the shafts of the weakened legs. He discovers that the once dramatic and voluptuous human figurines at mid-section are oddly without hands. He has never in his long years of restoration seen this kind of mythic imagery. One leg had been professionally pinned and well repaired long ago. Wong quietly admires the subtle and skilful craftsmanship of his talented predecessor of 2336.
He stands back to study the piece. Puzzled.
Again he examines the intricate marquetry panel. Once beautifully done, it shows a small mouse nibbling on a cherry seated on a burled wreath of pine cones beneath a sprig of mistletoe. Wong’s index finger thoughtfully touches the adjacent inlaid antler image, trying to understand. Some pieces of the original ebony stringing are now missing.
He looks again at the overall shape of the chair frame.
He curls his fingers around the knuckle on the armrest. It had originally been crisply carved by, and for, a delicate hand. But the overall size of the chair was uncommonly large. And there was something being told by the taut stance of that back leg. And why was the wood hoof on the front cuffed with what seemed to be some kind of beaded bracelet? Again he looks at the fading antler image, damaged by time through exposure to raw sunlight.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the long lost mystery of Origin began to reveal itself to the ageing Master’s Eye. This strange decorative art object was North American, late-twentieth century, of that he was certain. As for the rest of the intricate details of its engaging story, who had so artfully made it, and why, that, he regretfully knew he would never ever know.
He chuckled, returning to his work. Nature still managed to keep some of her creation secrets from the prying sharp eye of her attentive white haired apprentice. “
…
Winner of the Hamilton Arts Council ‘Best Fiction Award’ in 2000, ‘THE GILDED BEAVER by ANONYMOUS’ was first printed in a Collector’s Edition of 800 Numbered Copies. In celebration of this title’s 10th Anniversary, ACORN PRESS CANADA is offering an EXCLUSIVE opportunity to ‘Canadada Readers’ to purchase this work significantly below the List Price of $79.95 for an amazing $48 Canadian !!! Price ALSO includes global shipping & handling!
Dear readers, only 122 copies remain in stock. This is truly a Collector’s item …
If interested in owning your very own piece of ‘Canadada’ – please send an International Money Order for $48 (Cdn funds) (- available at your local bank or post office – ) to ‘ACORN PRESS CANADA’ . Mark envelope as follows: –
Attn: ‘The Gilded Beaver by Anonymous – 10th Anniversity Offer’.
ACORN PRESS CANADA
17 Main Street, P.O.Box 1425
Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, L0R 2H0
Remember to mention in your cover note – with your return address – that you are a ‘Canadada Reader’, then kindly allow 2-4 weeks delivery. This offer has been arranged ONLY for this 10th Anniversary Celebration and runs ONLY until December 31st, 2009. The Gilded Beaver by Anonymous’ is ONLY available at this price via CANADADA.
NB: First come, first served - while quantities last.
… phew … how was that – ???
Love & kisses,
Canadada
