The re-making of
‘BUFO ALVARIUS: THE PSYCHEDELIC TOAD OF THE SONORAN DESERT’
The reprint of the 1983 classic Bufo alvarius pamphlet, ‘BUFO ALVARIUS: THE PSYCHEDELIC TOAD OF THE SONORAN DESERT’, by author Ken Nelson (originally published under the pseudonym ‘Albert Most’) with illustrations by Gail Patterson features a new preface written by @hamiltonmorris outlining the history of Ken Nelson's research and a detailed description of the 5-MeO-DMT synthesis featured in Hamilton's Pharmacopeia. 100% of the profit from this book are donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in honor of Ken Nelson.
“Concerned by the misrepresentation of his work and the growing use of toad-derived 5-MeO-DMT with its consequent ecological repercussions, Ken came forward to explain his story and offer a sustainable way for humanity to interact with this invaluable compound. He died shortly thereafter, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. This updated edition of Ken’s original pamphlet was created to honor his contributions to science and his concern for the continued survival of the Sonoran Desert Toad.”
The CREAM Team is so grateful to be a part of this historic reprinting of the Bufo alvarius pamphlet that finally gives credit to Ken Nelson. The original pamphlet has been of great interest to us and many others since it appeared in the 1980s. The work done by Hamilton Morris to bring more transparency to & conservation for the Sonoran Desert Toad is heartily appreciated.
Collaborators & Details:
Original Text written in 1983 by Ken Nelson (published under the pseudonym ‘Albert Most’)
Original Illustrations by Gail Patterson
2020 Reprint preface written by Hamilton Morris
100% of the profit from this book are donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Additional Details Here
The booklets are 32 internal pages and are printed entirely on US made French paper. French Paper Company has been operating in Niles, Michigan for 140 years.
The internal pages are off-white, 70 lb text weight, 100% wood pulp paper with black, non-toxic soy-based Risograph ink.
The cover of the 1st Pressing (shown below) is pine green, 80 lb cover weight construction paper with white water-based screen print. Both the cover stock and internal pages have natural texture and some flecks and shives.
The books are saddle stitched with heavyweight ecru thread.
Due to their handmade nature and the print processes used, each book has unique character.
Covers screen printed by hand by CREAM Design & Print Using water-based ink on US made @frenchpaperco
Internal pages Risograph printed by @mylkweed Using non-toxic soy-based ink on US made @frenchpaperco.
Bookmarks and custom packaging Risograph printed by mylkweed
Shipping & Fulfillment by CREAM Design & Print
Video (& film stills below) by @mylkweed
Consultation & support from Robert Anthony Villa of the Tucson Herpetological Society.
Pressings:
There are a few minor changes in formatting between pressings, but no substantive changes.
1st Pressing: Green Cover. Released 12/31/20. Limited edition run of 500 copies. *Misstates the year of Ken Nelson’s death as 2020 instead of 2019.
2nd Pressing: Gold Cover. Released 2/2/21. Limited edition run of 2500 copies.
3rd Pressing: Brown Cover. Limited edition run of 5000 copies.
4th Pressing: Wine Cover. Released 9/14/21. Limited edition run of 2500 copies.
Resources:
Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia Season 3: "Synthetic Toad Venom Machine" episode
Illustrator Gail Patterson’s current business: Big Fatty’s Flaming Foods
Covers: screenprinted by CREAM Design & print
I: Select the appropriate mesh type for printing on paper, burn the screen, wash out the emulsion
II: Register the screen to the platen (with gridlines for accuracy)
III: Choose ink type (water-based adheres best to our paper)
IV: Ink up the screen
V & VI: Create a test print, if all looks good, repeat this process on each piece of paper
VII: Lay the printed covers on drying rack to air-cure for 24 hours
internal pages: Riso print and bINDING by mylkweed:
0: Receive the manuscript from Hamilton and format within InDesign to prepare for print
I: Print a positive of the manuscript on a laser printer
II: Bring the positive to the riso
III: Print each page, one side at a time
IV: Take the stacks of pages and hand collate them (when they print they are in stacks of a thousand / single page, not collated in order)
V & VI: Crease and number the covers, stitch the inside pages to the cover
VII: fold and press the books to flatten the spine.
