The Surrealist photobook narrates their journey through Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. It originated as a hand written book with tipped in photographs professionally bound in shoe leather which he gave to Lee. He soon also then adapted it for self-publication through his own London Gallery. The first edition printed was 510 copies in a wide range of monotype fonts, and some lines in colour. The extra ten copies had photographs tipped in over the dot screen block printed images, and small illuminations that he added in watercolor. Roland used these ten as personal gifts with the first one bearing the inscription “For Lee who caught me in her cup of gold”. Other copies went to artist friends such as Paul and Nusch Eluard, Man Ray and Max Ernst.
It is Rolands images of this journey that are better known because of the book, but Lee Miller’s camera also quietly observes. She was keen to learn the traditions, in fact, pictures of Lee by Roland often show her immersed with the people they met. She made a particular attachment to a group of Roma who before she parted they made her a special cerimonial sheepskin coat, hand embriodered with decorations, the date and her initials which we still have in the collection. The majority of Lee’s images from this journey have never been published.
Facimilie copies of both the hand written and the first printed edition dedicated to Lee, of ‘The Road is Wider than Long’ are being specially printed by the Lee Miller Archives to accompany this exhibition.
