Nomad Letterpress forthcoming edition.
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1dlphcoracl
You do not want to miss purchasing this one. Here is the story:
The Whittington Press published 'Pages from Presses' (PFP) in 2006, a summary of the finest and earliest private presses in the United Kingdom which included sample pages from these presses - Kelmscott, Doves Press, Ashendene Press, Vale Press, etc. The super deluxe 'A' edition was spectacular, with the book itself bound in a sumptuous bright red full morocco binding and a superb collection of rare private press pages included in a separate portfolio. The 'A' edition of PFP has become one of the rarest and most sought after in the half-century Whittington Press bibliography. The book was planned and designed by proprietor John Randle and David Butcher, who wrote the introduction and commentary.
Since then, David Butcher has spent the past fifteen years planning a follow-up edition entitled 'Pages for Presses II', patiently gathering material for this edition. It will be a continuation of PFP I, covering the great private presses in the U.K. in the period between the Great Wars. Presses to be included are: Gregynog, Golden Cockerel, Nonesuch, Cresset, Curwen, etc. John Randle related last year that this was a spectacular collection of rare private press pages and he was quite optimistic that PFP II would be a finer edition than PFP I, which is really saying something.
This book is finally going to see the light of day. Patrick Randle of Nomad Letterpress has taken responsibility for seeing this edition through and he will be doing the letterpress printing at the Whittington Press. This will be the final book printed letterpress at Whittington and it will be a fitting coda to one of the great modern private presses. The edition is already being printed and is (hopefully) due to be published in Spring 2022. The full details of PFP II have been posted on the Nomad Letterpress home page and can be reviewed on the following link.
https://www.nomadletterpress.com
After clicking on the link above:
1. Scroll down to the title page of the Gregynog Press 'Fables of Esope' and begin reading below.
2. Then click on the green rectangle with 'FURTHER INFORMATION' below the descriptive text.
3. The full details of PFP II will now appear in detail, including the three states of this edition, pricing, and a full list of the pages which will be included in the 'A' edition. The 'A' edition will contain 27 (!) pages from the greatest inter-war private presses in the U.K. and these will be the choicest pages.
As is typical for the Whittington Press, the deluxe 'A' edition and the semi-deluxe 'B' edition command a stiff premium over the standard 'C' edition. The 'A' edition is designed to complement the PFP I 'A' edition and the book itself will have a full green Oasis goatskin binding.
The pre-publication price for the 'A' edition is 2950 GBP = $4000. USD. Similar to James Freemantle's '1984', if you can afford this edition you will not want to miss it as there are only 45 copies of the 'A' edition planned. Pat Randle will begin accepting orders on Tuesday 29th February.
Trust the dlphcoracl on this one. Make certain you reserve a copy of the finest state of this edition you can afford.
The Whittington Press published 'Pages from Presses' (PFP) in 2006, a summary of the finest and earliest private presses in the United Kingdom which included sample pages from these presses - Kelmscott, Doves Press, Ashendene Press, Vale Press, etc. The super deluxe 'A' edition was spectacular, with the book itself bound in a sumptuous bright red full morocco binding and a superb collection of rare private press pages included in a separate portfolio. The 'A' edition of PFP has become one of the rarest and most sought after in the half-century Whittington Press bibliography. The book was planned and designed by proprietor John Randle and David Butcher, who wrote the introduction and commentary.
Since then, David Butcher has spent the past fifteen years planning a follow-up edition entitled 'Pages for Presses II', patiently gathering material for this edition. It will be a continuation of PFP I, covering the great private presses in the U.K. in the period between the Great Wars. Presses to be included are: Gregynog, Golden Cockerel, Nonesuch, Cresset, Curwen, etc. John Randle related last year that this was a spectacular collection of rare private press pages and he was quite optimistic that PFP II would be a finer edition than PFP I, which is really saying something.
This book is finally going to see the light of day. Patrick Randle of Nomad Letterpress has taken responsibility for seeing this edition through and he will be doing the letterpress printing at the Whittington Press. This will be the final book printed letterpress at Whittington and it will be a fitting coda to one of the great modern private presses. The edition is already being printed and is (hopefully) due to be published in Spring 2022. The full details of PFP II have been posted on the Nomad Letterpress home page and can be reviewed on the following link.
https://www.nomadletterpress.com
After clicking on the link above:
1. Scroll down to the title page of the Gregynog Press 'Fables of Esope' and begin reading below.
2. Then click on the green rectangle with 'FURTHER INFORMATION' below the descriptive text.
3. The full details of PFP II will now appear in detail, including the three states of this edition, pricing, and a full list of the pages which will be included in the 'A' edition. The 'A' edition will contain 27 (!) pages from the greatest inter-war private presses in the U.K. and these will be the choicest pages.
As is typical for the Whittington Press, the deluxe 'A' edition and the semi-deluxe 'B' edition command a stiff premium over the standard 'C' edition. The 'A' edition is designed to complement the PFP I 'A' edition and the book itself will have a full green Oasis goatskin binding.
The pre-publication price for the 'A' edition is 2950 GBP = $4000. USD. Similar to James Freemantle's '1984', if you can afford this edition you will not want to miss it as there are only 45 copies of the 'A' edition planned. Pat Randle will begin accepting orders on Tuesday 29th February.
Trust the dlphcoracl on this one. Make certain you reserve a copy of the finest state of this edition you can afford.
2punkzip
>1 dlphcoracl: The SJPP was a slam dunk purchase for me as there was for practical purposes one state (leaving aside the 8 limitation $9000 USD Deluxe state). This is a lot harder (for me) given the larger overall limitation and the dramatic jump in prices between states. Definitely buying at least one of the states - which one is the question...
If one does not have PFP I, how hard would it be to obtain a comparable state? I see that 2 of the 50 limitation and 1 of the 40 limitation states have sold at auction in recent years for 1000-1300 GBP (prior to buyers premium) - which state was which?
If one does not have PFP I, how hard would it be to obtain a comparable state? I see that 2 of the 50 limitation and 1 of the 40 limitation states have sold at auction in recent years for 1000-1300 GBP (prior to buyers premium) - which state was which?
3Shadekeep
This sounds incredible. The A edition is so superlative however that it makes it difficult to select any other tier. I really feel like if I were going for this, it would be A or nothing. But a large part of that is simple covetousness on my part, particularly the inclusion of proprietary typefaces in this edition, and I'm sure others can find merits in all the editions.
I'm curious if any such book has been mooted for the active presses? I'd love a volume of leaves from the esteemed presses who are currently making books.
I'm curious if any such book has been mooted for the active presses? I'd love a volume of leaves from the esteemed presses who are currently making books.
4dlphcoracl
I have a copy of the PFP I from 2006 in the deluxe 'A' state and I will post a complete set of photos under a separate heading later today. FWIW, both Pat and John Randle believe the 'A' edition of the forthcoming PFP II will be considerably finer than PFP I.
5ubiquitousuk
I saw this one and, as some here know, am a huge fan of Whittington/Nomad. I feel a bit ambivalent, though. I'm not the biggest fan of leaf books, especially when we don't know the provenance of the leaves. If I'm going to enjoy a GCP leaf then I'd rather do it in one of my original GCP books. So, while I know it will be an unpopular opinion, I'd have preferred the C state to have excluded the original leaves, perhaps included some facsimile reproductions of leaves, and slashed a couple of hundred pounds off the price.
Probably, I'll end up getting the C state because I don't think I'll want to miss the last WP book (and am interested in the content). I'm sure it will be a thing of true beauty. But I was hoping that the last Whittington book would finish-off their series of bibliographies that only runs as far as 1993.
Also, until a couple of days ago they said they'd take orders from 15 Feb. I don't think there will be a 29 Feb this year, so I'd keep an eye on the date if you're aiming for one of the rarer states.
Probably, I'll end up getting the C state because I don't think I'll want to miss the last WP book (and am interested in the content). I'm sure it will be a thing of true beauty. But I was hoping that the last Whittington book would finish-off their series of bibliographies that only runs as far as 1993.
Also, until a couple of days ago they said they'd take orders from 15 Feb. I don't think there will be a 29 Feb this year, so I'd keep an eye on the date if you're aiming for one of the rarer states.
6tim_rylance
A bookseller explained to me that the reason PfP I is so hard to find is that it appeals to Kelmscott/Doves/Ashendene collectors as well as to Whittington collectors. And furthermore even the A edition seems quite cheap to a Kelmscott/Doves/Ashendene collector.
>2 punkzip: There were 50 A copies, 40 B copies, and 90 C copies of PfP I. Going rates in the UK are £2500-3000 for A, £1000 for B, £500 for C from dealers. Probably about 60% of that at auction. Dealer copies usually sell within 24 hours.
>5 ubiquitousuk: I'm a Whittington collector and on the whole I agree. I get the nice Whittington printing whichever edition I buy. The A edition is for the collectors of the presses covered, and for rich Whittington collectors. I'm getting a B. This also ties into the "Advice to collectors" discussion: I would almost always prefer six £500 books to one £3000 book. That's partly a reflection of my limited disposable income. But I'll push the boat out a little for the last Whittington.
Incidentally they only say PfP II will be the last letterpress Whittington book. I suspect there may be a final bibliography, but probably not letterpress and possibly not from Whittington themselves.
>2 punkzip: There were 50 A copies, 40 B copies, and 90 C copies of PfP I. Going rates in the UK are £2500-3000 for A, £1000 for B, £500 for C from dealers. Probably about 60% of that at auction. Dealer copies usually sell within 24 hours.
>5 ubiquitousuk: I'm a Whittington collector and on the whole I agree. I get the nice Whittington printing whichever edition I buy. The A edition is for the collectors of the presses covered, and for rich Whittington collectors. I'm getting a B. This also ties into the "Advice to collectors" discussion: I would almost always prefer six £500 books to one £3000 book. That's partly a reflection of my limited disposable income. But I'll push the boat out a little for the last Whittington.
Incidentally they only say PfP II will be the last letterpress Whittington book. I suspect there may be a final bibliography, but probably not letterpress and possibly not from Whittington themselves.
8dlphcoracl
>7 punkzip:
The Czech Losin paper is otherworldly. I am near certain this was the paper Luke Ives Pontifell used for the early Thornwillow Press editions. Grifgon can better answer or verify this, however.
The Czech Losin paper is otherworldly. I am near certain this was the paper Luke Ives Pontifell used for the early Thornwillow Press editions. Grifgon can better answer or verify this, however.
9tim_rylance
>7 punkzip: According to the Nomad Letterpress website The paper is a special making of Czech Losin hand-made (also used in the prospectus) which features the Whittington Press pressmark for the only time. So presumably much the same as the paper used for PfP1.
The photos of PfP1 in dlphcorcl's posting (and those of the B edition at Books and Vines) make the paper look grey. In fact it is a creamy colour. Here is a photo of the PfP1 prospectus (on the left) and book (on the right) with the white balance set from a Kodak gray card and exposure adjusted by eye to look about right
(taken near a window in quite strong winter sun, so not uniformly lit - the sun is at top left)
Incidentally the PfP1 prospectus was set in 14D Walbaum which is noticeably larger than the 14pt of the final book. Its is claimed that PfP2 will be in 14D.
I believe the prospectuses will be posted early next week, so ask for one and see!
The photos of PfP1 in dlphcorcl's posting (and those of the B edition at Books and Vines) make the paper look grey. In fact it is a creamy colour. Here is a photo of the PfP1 prospectus (on the left) and book (on the right) with the white balance set from a Kodak gray card and exposure adjusted by eye to look about right
(taken near a window in quite strong winter sun, so not uniformly lit - the sun is at top left)
Incidentally the PfP1 prospectus was set in 14D Walbaum which is noticeably larger than the 14pt of the final book. Its is claimed that PfP2 will be in 14D.
I believe the prospectuses will be posted early next week, so ask for one and see!
10ubiquitousuk
I could be wrong, but I believe that Czech Losin was also the paper used in WP's editions of "Cornwall: An Interior Vision" and "The Phoenix". If that's true then this is truly an exceptional paper.
Edit: I was wrong. Not sure where I got that idea from.
Edit: I was wrong. Not sure where I got that idea from.
11jsg1976
>1 dlphcoracl: >5 ubiquitousuk: According to the website, orders will be taken starting at 16:00 GMT on Monday February 28th.
12tim_rylance
The Pages from Presses II prospectus arrived today
and here are the watermarks
and here are the watermarks
13ultrarightist
I have decided to purchase Edition C. I would rather spend the difference from the more expensive editions on acquiring some of the fine press royalty whose leaves are in the book.
14Boschfan
Just after 7.00 PM UK time this evening, I contacted Nomad Letterpress via the 'Contact' form on the website to request a prospectus.
Within 5 minutes, I received a reply from Pat Randle informing me that one would be 'in the post tomorrow'.
I don't know yet whether I can get the funds together for this purchase, but customer service of that quality in responding to a request certainly makes me more willing to try.
Best Wishes,
David
Within 5 minutes, I received a reply from Pat Randle informing me that one would be 'in the post tomorrow'.
I don't know yet whether I can get the funds together for this purchase, but customer service of that quality in responding to a request certainly makes me more willing to try.
Best Wishes,
David
15venkysuniverse
>14 Boschfan: I agree, Pat is super responsive and produces top quality books as well.
17punkzip
I ordered Edition C. This is IMO quite a good value given that it is 150 pages, oversized (15x11) on handmade paper (which is great - it's used in the prospectus). Was also pleasantly surprised that shipping to the US was only 20.5 GBP which is less than what was listed in the prospectus. I did consider the other states, but they were a massive jump in price over the C state. As I see it, the A state was the other contending option but about 2300 GBP more - which is the price range of multiple other fine press publications, or one very nice publication (e.g. a recent lettered state or the SJPP 1984), and the C state has the same paper.
18ubiquitousuk
I opted for the C edition on the basis that I'm (ironically) not very interested in the sample pages. The main pull of the book for me will be the original text, which is on a subject matter of interest, along with the superb production quality we can expect from Whittington.
The prospectus includes a nice facsimile of some pages from Gregynog's Aesop Fables, with those gorgeous Agnes Miller-Parker engravings. I still wish there was a D edition that had facsimiles of the most interesting pages instead of originals of less interesting pages, which is what I'm expecting from the C state. But I realise that I might be a bit of a weirdo in buying a leaf book without wanting the leaves!
The prospectus includes a nice facsimile of some pages from Gregynog's Aesop Fables, with those gorgeous Agnes Miller-Parker engravings. I still wish there was a D edition that had facsimiles of the most interesting pages instead of originals of less interesting pages, which is what I'm expecting from the C state. But I realise that I might be a bit of a weirdo in buying a leaf book without wanting the leaves!
19punkzip
>18 ubiquitousuk: Unfortunately the most elaborate leaves will not be in the C edition. I do think there would be a market for an edition with the text and facsimiles of all the leaves but this would be a lot of extra work.
21dlphcoracl
>20 punkzip:
Perhaps even more impressive, the 45 copies of the "A" edition sold out within 24 hours of Pat Randle accepting orders and payments for PFP II. Anyone who purchased his '2020 Vision' already had an inkling of what to expect with this forthcoming edition.
Perhaps even more impressive, the 45 copies of the "A" edition sold out within 24 hours of Pat Randle accepting orders and payments for PFP II. Anyone who purchased his '2020 Vision' already had an inkling of what to expect with this forthcoming edition.
22kdweber
The A edition was sold out before I knew it was up for sale. They all look very nice but I don't buy leaf books.
23punkzip
>22 kdweber: why don’t you buy leaf books?
24kdweber
>23 punkzip: I don't like the idea of ripping up books and selling them piecemeal. The Folio Society used to buy up rare books in good condition and rip them apart to sell in their leaf books. Even if one uses damaged books to create your leaf book it encourages others to destroy intact volumes. Old atlases are often bought and then ripped apart to be sold as individual maps. This practice bothers me so I won't indulge.
25ultrarightist
>24 kdweber: What if the leaf books used only pages from original prospectuses?
26kdweber
>25 ultrarightist: I don't see a problem there but my concern is that the sucess of leaf books in general will lead to leaf books created from complete volumes.
27Shadekeep
>25 ultrarightist: While I too am reluctant to encourage the pilfering of intact older books, I think leaf volumes from damaged/incomplete books aren't as bad (though they do still create a market for the former). A book collecting prospectuses would certainly be of interest, however, since one could bind in the work intact. Do such things exist?
28ultrarightist
>27 Shadekeep: I do not know. I am merely hypothesizing.
29Flaubie
>27 Shadekeep: Yes. Whittington Press published its book, British private press prospectuses, 1891-2001, in 2001. It is a beautiful production and one of the reasons that I signed up for this one!
30Shadekeep
>29 Flaubie: Fab, thank you! I would certainly like to see more of this kind of thing. Some presses, like Fleece Press for example, could make a very nice catalogue raisonné of their prospectuses.
31kermaier
>30 Shadekeep:
Like the Allen Press Bibliography — included original leaves of their own books (presumably leftover sheets).
Like the Allen Press Bibliography — included original leaves of their own books (presumably leftover sheets).
33dlphcoracl
A quick reminder:
Pat Randle sent Pages from Presses II to the bindery several weeks ago and he will begin shipment shortly. The standard "C" edition with 14 leaves from seven different interwar private presses in the U.K. (including Golden Cockerel, Gregynog, Cresset and Curwen) is still available at the pre-publication price of 445 GBP, increasing substantially to 595 GBP once shipping begins. The book is 15 x 11/5 inches featuring printing with a beautiful 14-Didot size Walbaum type on specially handmade Czech Losin paper. It will be the only book in the Whittington Press history to feature the Whittington Press pressmark. If anyone is still contemplating purchase, probably should do so within the next 1-2 weeks.
https://www.nomadletterpress.com/pagesfrompressesvolume2
Pat Randle sent Pages from Presses II to the bindery several weeks ago and he will begin shipment shortly. The standard "C" edition with 14 leaves from seven different interwar private presses in the U.K. (including Golden Cockerel, Gregynog, Cresset and Curwen) is still available at the pre-publication price of 445 GBP, increasing substantially to 595 GBP once shipping begins. The book is 15 x 11/5 inches featuring printing with a beautiful 14-Didot size Walbaum type on specially handmade Czech Losin paper. It will be the only book in the Whittington Press history to feature the Whittington Press pressmark. If anyone is still contemplating purchase, probably should do so within the next 1-2 weeks.
https://www.nomadletterpress.com/pagesfrompressesvolume2
35tim_rylance
>34 Boschfan: No, but I gather the "C" edition will be shipped first and I ordered a "B".
The UK postal strikes (Royal Mail/Parcelforce) are having quite an effect now (especially on international mail), but I seem to remember that Whittington/Nomad use Interlink (now renamed DPD Local) or APC within the UK. I have no idea what they use for international shipments.
The UK postal strikes (Royal Mail/Parcelforce) are having quite an effect now (especially on international mail), but I seem to remember that Whittington/Nomad use Interlink (now renamed DPD Local) or APC within the UK. I have no idea what they use for international shipments.
36SuttonHooPress
>26 kdweber: I am with you on this, kd. Even damaged or otherwise compromised books have their value as is, for research or reading. . . .
37c_schelle
>34 Boschfan: I also haven't received mine yet and I ordered a C edition. As I'm in Germany it could also take extra time for customs, but I didn't get a shipping notice either.
38dlphcoracl
>35 tim_rylance:
Between supply chain issues sourcing appropriate binding leather and the UK postal strikes, I would not be surprised if both the "B" and "A" editions are not ready for shipment until Jan/Feb 2023. Similarly, I would not be surprised if the St. James Park Press edition of '1984' get pushed into early 2023 as well.
Between supply chain issues sourcing appropriate binding leather and the UK postal strikes, I would not be surprised if both the "B" and "A" editions are not ready for shipment until Jan/Feb 2023. Similarly, I would not be surprised if the St. James Park Press edition of '1984' get pushed into early 2023 as well.
39Boschfan
Just checking in to see whether anyone has received their copy yet or maybe has any further updates.
Thank you,
David
Thank you,
David
40ubiquitousuk
>39 Boschfan: no new from me (C edition). But I know these things take time and often slip past the target date.
41ChampagneSVP
My understanding is that the binders recently moved premises and the binding is taking much longer than hoped. Not to worry, it will be well worth the wait!
43Boschfan
Just received an email that my parcel is due to be shipped and should be with me no later than Monday.
Really looking forward to this.
David
Really looking forward to this.
David
44NathanOv
>43 Boschfan: I forgot I had ordered this one! I'm looking forward to seeing so many notable leaves, and of course reading the commentary on them all.
45ubiquitousuk
Well, the book (C edition, alas) arrived yesterday and it's quite impressive!
I suppose everyone is expecting a nice example of fine press publishing--and that it certainly is. But one is also struck that this is a substantial and potentially important documentation of the maturation of the private press movement. Looking over those original leaves is fun, but it's David Butcher's text that I'm most looking forward to getting in to, printed beautifully on tactile Czech Losin paper. I honestly don't think anyone with this on pre-order is going to be anything other than delighted. I'd echo >33 dlphcoracl: that there's still time to jump on the bandwagon and you might want to think about it.
I suppose everyone is expecting a nice example of fine press publishing--and that it certainly is. But one is also struck that this is a substantial and potentially important documentation of the maturation of the private press movement. Looking over those original leaves is fun, but it's David Butcher's text that I'm most looking forward to getting in to, printed beautifully on tactile Czech Losin paper. I honestly don't think anyone with this on pre-order is going to be anything other than delighted. I'd echo >33 dlphcoracl: that there's still time to jump on the bandwagon and you might want to think about it.
46Boschfan
My copy (also C edition) was delivered this morning.
One initial thing to comment on - the protective packaging for this book was superb; it took me ages to actually unwrap it. If only everyone were so careful.
First impressions are very positive. I'll get to spend some quality time with it tomorrow but I've already seen enough to very much echo comments above. If you're dithering about purchasing, I think you'd be very happy if you went ahead.
David
One initial thing to comment on - the protective packaging for this book was superb; it took me ages to actually unwrap it. If only everyone were so careful.
First impressions are very positive. I'll get to spend some quality time with it tomorrow but I've already seen enough to very much echo comments above. If you're dithering about purchasing, I think you'd be very happy if you went ahead.
David
47NathanOv
I received mine today - much larger and heftier than expected! I really need to get better about reading the dimensions on books so I'm not surprised so often.
On first examination, it's beautifully bound and printed, and offers an excellent presentation of the leaves. I'm looking forward to really digging into it.
On first examination, it's beautifully bound and printed, and offers an excellent presentation of the leaves. I'm looking forward to really digging into it.
48ubiquitousuk
Nomad announced the next book that will be available to order (from 28 April):
The Hill
Words by Max Porter & wood-engravings by Hilary Paynter
https://www.nomadletterpress.com/thehill
The Hill
Words by Max Porter & wood-engravings by Hilary Paynter
https://www.nomadletterpress.com/thehill
49Levin40
>48 ubiquitousuk: This looks wonderful and a real bargin at only £60 for the standard edition. I'll certainly be ordering.
50Shadekeep
>48 ubiquitousuk: That does look like an unmissable bargain. I really like the work of Hilary Paynter, it's worth the asking price for that alone.
51Shadekeep
The Hill is available for preorder now. Links below.
Main Page: https://www.nomadletterpress.com/thehill
Regular: https://www.nomadletterpress.com/shop/the-hill
Special: https://www.nomadletterpress.com/shop/thehillfl
The regular is £60, retail £90. The special is £1,095, retail £1,200.
Shipping to the US on the regular was £27, so still a bargain. This'll be my first Nomad Letterpress acquisition as well.
Main Page: https://www.nomadletterpress.com/thehill
Regular: https://www.nomadletterpress.com/shop/the-hill
Special: https://www.nomadletterpress.com/shop/thehillfl
The regular is £60, retail £90. The special is £1,095, retail £1,200.
Shipping to the US on the regular was £27, so still a bargain. This'll be my first Nomad Letterpress acquisition as well.
52wcarter
>51 Shadekeep:
The jump in price from regular to special is extraordinary. Its a pity there is no intermediate level with a slipcase.
The jump in price from regular to special is extraordinary. Its a pity there is no intermediate level with a slipcase.
53kermaier
>51 Shadekeep:
874 copies! Good thing they used a Heidelberg, rather than a hand press….
874 copies! Good thing they used a Heidelberg, rather than a hand press….
54ubiquitousuk
>52 wcarter: yes, it's a big jump. But the specials will be bound by hand by Roger Grech, whereas the ordinaries are bound by Green Street, which is a bit more of a mass-production style operation in Oxford.
I, too, would have gladly paid double for, say, a quarter cloth binding in a slipcase. But it has often been the case that the "main" editions coming out of Whittington (often bound by the Fine Book Bindery) were punctuated by smaller projects with the ordinaries in less ambitious bindings. The approach to this edition seems similar, and I think is fairly reflected in the price. I expect the book to otherwise have all the trappings of a Whittington/Nomad edition.
I, too, would have gladly paid double for, say, a quarter cloth binding in a slipcase. But it has often been the case that the "main" editions coming out of Whittington (often bound by the Fine Book Bindery) were punctuated by smaller projects with the ordinaries in less ambitious bindings. The approach to this edition seems similar, and I think is fairly reflected in the price. I expect the book to otherwise have all the trappings of a Whittington/Nomad edition.
55tim_rylance
>51 Shadekeep: The edition size (874 copies) and pricing (both the low price of regular copies and the high price of specials) for The Hill are at first sight surprising.
The only comparably priced Whittington is An Intimate Landscape printed for the Nottingham Court Press in 1981 (a year before Pat Randle was born.) Here is part of the prospectus
According to the UK Office of National Statistics data at https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/timeseries/cdko/mm23 UK retail prices in March 2023 are 5.1 times higher than they were in March 1981, so the £17.50 / £75 / £200 would be £90 / £380 / £ 1020 now - much the same as The Hill.
Despite the relatively high limitation of 500 copies (the average Whittington limitation was 350, excluding Matrix) An Intimate Landscape is very hard to find now. I have an unnumbered standard copy and it is a typical attractive early 1980s Whittington with Miriam Macgregor engravings printed on Zerkall paper (correctly spelled on the colophon.) It only has 25 pages of text (Butcher gives the page count as 35) so it is comparable in size to The Hill.
But Leonard Clark was a relatively obscure poet (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Clark_(poet)) whereas Max Porter is a fairly well-known contemporary author (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Porter_(writer)) and according to Nomad's video The Hill is being published in conjunction with the Beaufort Bookshop in Bath.
The launch event for the book is advertised at https://rondotheatre.co.uk/the-hill-book-launch/, here is a screenshot
So I guess the bookshop think they can sell 900 copies and the large print run enables the bargain price.
I live in Bath and the Beaufort Bookshop is only a mile from my house (as is Little Solsbury Hill), I'll go and have a look later.
The only comparably priced Whittington is An Intimate Landscape printed for the Nottingham Court Press in 1981 (a year before Pat Randle was born.) Here is part of the prospectus
According to the UK Office of National Statistics data at https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/timeseries/cdko/mm23 UK retail prices in March 2023 are 5.1 times higher than they were in March 1981, so the £17.50 / £75 / £200 would be £90 / £380 / £ 1020 now - much the same as The Hill.
Despite the relatively high limitation of 500 copies (the average Whittington limitation was 350, excluding Matrix) An Intimate Landscape is very hard to find now. I have an unnumbered standard copy and it is a typical attractive early 1980s Whittington with Miriam Macgregor engravings printed on Zerkall paper (correctly spelled on the colophon.) It only has 25 pages of text (Butcher gives the page count as 35) so it is comparable in size to The Hill.
But Leonard Clark was a relatively obscure poet (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Clark_(poet)) whereas Max Porter is a fairly well-known contemporary author (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Porter_(writer)) and according to Nomad's video The Hill is being published in conjunction with the Beaufort Bookshop in Bath.
The launch event for the book is advertised at https://rondotheatre.co.uk/the-hill-book-launch/, here is a screenshot
So I guess the bookshop think they can sell 900 copies and the large print run enables the bargain price.
I live in Bath and the Beaufort Bookshop is only a mile from my house (as is Little Solsbury Hill), I'll go and have a look later.
56tim_rylance
I went to the Beaufort Bookshop this afternoon and ordered a copy of The Hill. It's a rather unusual bookshop: the owner James Thomas says he actually makes his living tutoring English, which he manages to do both in person and online whilst talking to customers in the shop. Solsbury Hill (the hill of the book) is nearby and could be said to loom over the shop. And Hilary Paynter lives a few tens of yards away. I also bought tickets for the launch event - the theatre seats 105 and there are now 29 tickets left.
57tim_rylance
>53 kermaier: 874 copies! Good thing they used a Heidelberg, rather than a hand press….
In 1975 Whittington printed an edition of 750 copies of The Hunting of the Snark on a hand press. And in the 1971-1981 Whittington bibliography John Randle said
Printing 750 copies on damped mould-made paper on the Columbian was something of a labour of love, and we have never since issued a book of this size in such a large edition.
The cover of the latest Parenthesis (number 44) has a fine photograph taken by Rosalind Randle of John Randle printing on the Columbian in 1971. Parenthesis 44 is something of a Whittington issue with a long appreciation of Matrix and the announcement of a new (non-letterpress) book
In 1975 Whittington printed an edition of 750 copies of The Hunting of the Snark on a hand press. And in the 1971-1981 Whittington bibliography John Randle said
Printing 750 copies on damped mould-made paper on the Columbian was something of a labour of love, and we have never since issued a book of this size in such a large edition.
The cover of the latest Parenthesis (number 44) has a fine photograph taken by Rosalind Randle of John Randle printing on the Columbian in 1971. Parenthesis 44 is something of a Whittington issue with a long appreciation of Matrix and the announcement of a new (non-letterpress) book
58kdweber
>51 Shadekeep: Shipping to the US (California) for the regular edition was 21 pounds.
59Shadekeep
>52 wcarter: It does feel a bit like "you can order the seven-course meal, or bread and water". Really good bread and water, mind.
>58 kdweber: Not sure why it was £27 to Virginia then. Maybe they charge extra for shipping to the former Colonies, out of resentment for us revolting. (More likely is that I was too quick out the gate and they've negotiated a better rate in the meantime.)
>58 kdweber: Not sure why it was £27 to Virginia then. Maybe they charge extra for shipping to the former Colonies, out of resentment for us revolting. (More likely is that I was too quick out the gate and they've negotiated a better rate in the meantime.)
60ubiquitousuk
I received my copy of The Hill today and it's another great production from Nomad. The binding design has evolved a little with an interesting paper overlay for the title:
Also, inside the book we have some interesting page layouts and a mix of Zerkall paper and a translucent paper which allows the design to be overlaid over the page below.
This edition represents great value for money in my view.
As a last note, the book came "gift wrapped" in a letterpress-printed poster advertising a launch event, which was a pretty nice touch.
Also, inside the book we have some interesting page layouts and a mix of Zerkall paper and a translucent paper which allows the design to be overlaid over the page below.
This edition represents great value for money in my view.
As a last note, the book came "gift wrapped" in a letterpress-printed poster advertising a launch event, which was a pretty nice touch.
61Shadekeep
>60 ubiquitousuk: Looking forward to that one, got my shipping notification a few days ago as it wends it way here.
62gmacaree
The Nomad book I'm most interested in is Les Oiseaux — anyone know what's become of that one?
63ubiquitousuk
>62 gmacaree: the last I heard, the pages were with Peter Allen for the pochoir work. I understand that can be a slow process, but that was also about two years ago...
64ubiquitousuk
I'd encourage everyone to buy in-print books from the publisher. But if the price is a real barrier for you, this seller in the US has a copy of Pages From Presses II for $395 (=£307), which is 30% below the already-discounted pre-publication price. The seller is also accepting offers, and shipping to the UK seems reasonable.
Edit: it's gone, I hope someone in the community might be the lucky winner.
Edit: it's gone, I hope someone in the community might be the lucky winner.
65kermaier
>64 ubiquitousuk: There’s a standard copy of “Pages from Presses” (the 2006 edition) on eBay right now — no idea if it’s a good deal, but it’s probably not commonly available at all.
66ubiquitousuk
>65 kermaier: thanks very much for the tip-off. I just paid the first installment of nursery fees for my son (and I thought books were expensive!!) so I'm not in a position to drop £730 on a book right now. But I think it's a fair price given that the book doesn't seem to show up much on the market and is a pretty unique combination of early private press leaves and fine publishing in its own right.
Let's see if it sticks around long enough for my coffers to recover...I'm not hopeful.
Let's see if it sticks around long enough for my coffers to recover...I'm not hopeful.
67dlphcoracl
>66 ubiquitousuk:
This is the standard "C" edition of Pages from Presses with Plain Jane binding and a paucity of leaves from the six presses. When issued in 2006, the "C" edition was not expensive, probably in the 300 - 350 GBP range. I would not pay $850. for it unless this is an item you cannot do without.
This is the standard "C" edition of Pages from Presses with Plain Jane binding and a paucity of leaves from the six presses. When issued in 2006, the "C" edition was not expensive, probably in the 300 - 350 GBP range. I would not pay $850. for it unless this is an item you cannot do without.
68tim_rylance
>67 dlphcoracl:
In the past two years Blackwell's have sold two 'C' copies of PfP1 at £500 each, and Oliver Clark has sold two 'B' copies at £950 and £1250. £500 is about $625, so $850 seems a little ambitious for a 'C'. But William Reese are asking $1500 on Abe!
Incidentally, at the Whittington Press Open Day last Saturday I touched an 'A' copy of PfP2 and saw a pile of 18 more 'A' copies wrapped in brown paper ready to ship.
In the past two years Blackwell's have sold two 'C' copies of PfP1 at £500 each, and Oliver Clark has sold two 'B' copies at £950 and £1250. £500 is about $625, so $850 seems a little ambitious for a 'C'. But William Reese are asking $1500 on Abe!
Incidentally, at the Whittington Press Open Day last Saturday I touched an 'A' copy of PfP2 and saw a pile of 18 more 'A' copies wrapped in brown paper ready to ship.
69ubiquitousuk
>68 tim_rylance: Interesting. I somehow missed those copies going up for sale, even though I thought I was keeping a pretty close eye on what's going on. Obviously need to try harder!
>68 tim_rylance: mentioning the open day reminds me to respond to >62 gmacaree: with a report: they had sample pages from "the bird book" (as well as several other forthcoming editions) out on display and it was looking great.
>68 tim_rylance: mentioning the open day reminds me to respond to >62 gmacaree: with a report: they had sample pages from "the bird book" (as well as several other forthcoming editions) out on display and it was looking great.
70dlphcoracl
>68 tim_rylance:
500 GBP = $625 sounds about right for what this book should cost today. It is scarce and actively sought after. Wm. Reese's price of $1,500 for the "C" edition is beyond absurd, somewhat unusual for a very reputable bookseller whose inventory is usually fairly priced in the middle of any given range.
500 GBP = $625 sounds about right for what this book should cost today. It is scarce and actively sought after. Wm. Reese's price of $1,500 for the "C" edition is beyond absurd, somewhat unusual for a very reputable bookseller whose inventory is usually fairly priced in the middle of any given range.
71dlphcoracl
>69 ubiquitousuk:
Aside from Oiseaux de France ("The Bird Book"), what other forthcoming editions from Nomad Letterpress did you notice at the Whittington/Nomad Opening Day?
Aside from Oiseaux de France ("The Bird Book"), what other forthcoming editions from Nomad Letterpress did you notice at the Whittington/Nomad Opening Day?
72gmacaree
>69 ubiquitousuk: That's fantastic news! I'm excited that the birds are still set to fly.
73ubiquitousuk
>71 dlphcoracl: there will be a new project with engravings by Hilary Paynter (whose work we earlier saw in The Hill this year). Some images from this project can be seen on the Nomad Instagram post about the open day.
I also saw the paste-up for a project from engraver Paul Kershaw, with text and images about Skye.
Both looked great!
The Instagram post also showed a project with an excerpt from Cymbeline and a wood cut by Harry Brockway, but I didn't see it while I was there.
As >68 tim_rylance: said, they had the A edition of PfP2 out. They also had one of the specials of The Hill, which is bound in grey leather with a black inlay and has Whittington marbled endpapers.
I also saw the paste-up for a project from engraver Paul Kershaw, with text and images about Skye.
Both looked great!
The Instagram post also showed a project with an excerpt from Cymbeline and a wood cut by Harry Brockway, but I didn't see it while I was there.
As >68 tim_rylance: said, they had the A edition of PfP2 out. They also had one of the specials of The Hill, which is bound in grey leather with a black inlay and has Whittington marbled endpapers.
74dlphcoracl
>73 ubiquitousuk:
Frankly, I did not think PfP 2 would ever see light of day. Nearly four years ago, when I exchanged e-mails with John Randle, he indicated that he was far more interested in assembling and publishing a bibliography of the famous Whittington Press Matrix series with David Butcher, as he realized that Matrix 36 (published 2020) would conclude the Matrix series. PfP 2 would follow thereafter. I am certainly glad he changed his mind and reversed order in this regard, as Butcher had already spent nearly two decades assembling the individual leaves for PfP 2 and was sitting on a treasure trove of material that would never be duplicated.
Frankly, I did not think PfP 2 would ever see light of day. Nearly four years ago, when I exchanged e-mails with John Randle, he indicated that he was far more interested in assembling and publishing a bibliography of the famous Whittington Press Matrix series with David Butcher, as he realized that Matrix 36 (published 2020) would conclude the Matrix series. PfP 2 would follow thereafter. I am certainly glad he changed his mind and reversed order in this regard, as Butcher had already spent nearly two decades assembling the individual leaves for PfP 2 and was sitting on a treasure trove of material that would never be duplicated.
75tim_rylance
>74 dlphcoracl:
Perhaps you are thinking of the Index to Matrix 1-36 which was advertised in Matrix 36 and also Parenthesis 40:
When I wrote to reserve a copy of the Index in February 2021 I was told it would appear after PfP2.
Sebastian Carter's excellent MATRIX: A SURVEY OF THE WHITTINGTON PRESS JOURNAL, 1981–2020 in Parenthesis 44 says
Writing my essay, I was saved a huge amount of standing on a chair to consult copies of the journal when David Butcher very kindly sent me an advance Word file of his lists of contents of Matrix 22–36, part of his work preparing the complete Index to Matrix 1–36, announced at the back of Parenthesis 40, and still in preparation.
so I think/hope the Index is still coming.
Perhaps you are thinking of the Index to Matrix 1-36 which was advertised in Matrix 36 and also Parenthesis 40:
When I wrote to reserve a copy of the Index in February 2021 I was told it would appear after PfP2.
Sebastian Carter's excellent MATRIX: A SURVEY OF THE WHITTINGTON PRESS JOURNAL, 1981–2020 in Parenthesis 44 says
Writing my essay, I was saved a huge amount of standing on a chair to consult copies of the journal when David Butcher very kindly sent me an advance Word file of his lists of contents of Matrix 22–36, part of his work preparing the complete Index to Matrix 1–36, announced at the back of Parenthesis 40, and still in preparation.
so I think/hope the Index is still coming.
76dlphcoracl
>75 tim_rylance:
Somehow, I had imagined a more elaborate affair regarding the Matrix series, i.e., a true bibliography rather than a simple index. Regardless, I am pleasantly surprised that PfP 2 moved to the head of the Randle's list of projects to be published by the Whittington Press.
Somehow, I had imagined a more elaborate affair regarding the Matrix series, i.e., a true bibliography rather than a simple index. Regardless, I am pleasantly surprised that PfP 2 moved to the head of the Randle's list of projects to be published by the Whittington Press.
77tim_rylance
>76 dlphcoracl:
David Butcher does good indexes. It won't be simple! Here is a spread from the Index to Matrix 1-21 (sorry about the cat-hairs on the scanner)
The Index to 1-36 will be about 100 pages of this.
The existing Whittington bibliographies describe the individual issues of Matrix, here is Matrix 13
but unfortunately the bibliographies only go up to 1993 and Matrix 13.
David Butcher does good indexes. It won't be simple! Here is a spread from the Index to Matrix 1-21 (sorry about the cat-hairs on the scanner)
The Index to 1-36 will be about 100 pages of this.
The existing Whittington bibliographies describe the individual issues of Matrix, here is Matrix 13
but unfortunately the bibliographies only go up to 1993 and Matrix 13.
78ubiquitousuk
>77 tim_rylance: since we were told that PfP2 would probably be the last letterpress book from Whittington, do you know whether the index will be offset, or perhaps printed under another imprint (Nomad?)
Do you think it's madness for me to hope that Nomad might yet publish a bibliography of Whittington spanning 94-present?
Do you think it's madness for me to hope that Nomad might yet publish a bibliography of Whittington spanning 94-present?
79tim_rylance
>78 ubiquitousuk:
Index to Matrix 1-21 was 14 pages of letterpress followed by 72 pages of offset
so I think it's safe to assume that Index to Matrix 1-36 will be predominantly or entirely non-letterpress.
Index to Matrix 1-21 was 14 pages of letterpress followed by 72 pages of offset
so I think it's safe to assume that Index to Matrix 1-36 will be predominantly or entirely non-letterpress.
80ChestnutPress
>73 ubiquitousuk: I have been eagerly awaiting the Paul Kershaw project for so long. It plods along in the background…
82ChestnutPress
>81 dlphcoracl: They have been grinding a good few years on this one…
83ChestnutPress
>73 ubiquitousuk: The Cymbeline is very promising!
85ubiquitousuk
>80 ChestnutPress: At the open day it was labelled as coming in 2024, so we might only have another decade or so to wait :')
86ChestnutPress
>84 dlphcoracl: It’s all written and Pat has worked up what I believe is the final layout. It’s basically prepared and I think Paul has even printed some of the engravings. But several other jobs have taken precedence so I just sit and twiddle thumbs…
87ChestnutPress
>85 ubiquitousuk: Sounds about right, although Pat isn’t as loose on publishing forecasts as the good Randle senior! It is the way of fine press!!
