Short Distance, Long Journey’ – Haiku-Style Verse by artist Jeb Barton, 1997 is his only venture into the haiku world. With only 500 of these hand-crafted box-books produced, this is rare find. Unique hand-crafted ‘box-book’ of short poems in haiku-style was self-published in 1997. It consists 64 poems, one to a page. This book is inscribed ‘No. 215/500’ and signed by author. Barton designed book of haiku-style verse and oversaw its handcrafting by artists in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. It’s made completely of natural materials - bamboo and raffia for the binding; verse is printed on hand-torn bamboo paper; cover and box are of heavy recycled paper. (Pages are in pristine condition except for small stain on Page 43 (see Photo 14) that likely was effected during paper-making process. Adjacent pages are not affected by it.) Author sentiment ‘I Wish You Peace’ is included on separate sheet of bamboo paper. Book cover is topped with the aromatic grass root 'akar wangi.' Notes in appendix give locale in US or Far East where each haiku was composed. Box lid closure is with coconut shell button looped with natural fiber twine. Author Barton won an international book award for it in 1997. Book also includes several calligraphic accents by artist Liz Shepherd. Box-book is in excellent physical condition, virtually as originally issued, except for darkened ‘suntan’ effect on open-face box lid and projected lid ‘window’ that tanned portion of book cover directly below it. There also is minor fraying of paper laps on box lid hinge. It’s available for local pick-up in San Rafael, with cash, Venmo, or PayPal.
