Prelo prints' Aesop Fables

I haven't seen Prelo prints being discussed here before, so I thought I'd mentioned this press as it's definitely of interest to the community. I would like to bring attention to their latest work, Aesop's Fables, which I think is a wonderful project. From the press website:

This edition was printed in Maribo, Denmark, from February to October 2021, with a total of 34 copies. Each book is handbound in goat parchment, which makes every copy unique.

Printed on handmade laid paper made at the Paper and Watermark Museum (”Museo della carta e della filigrana”) in the city of Fabriano, Italy, the oldest paper mill still in function, since the 13th-century.
The text was composed with moveable type (Nürnberger Schwabacher) cast by Mr. Rainer Gerstenberg in one of the last European type foundries, in Darmstadt, Germany.
All the images and capital letters are woodcuts entirely made by hand, with 3 types of wood: boxwood, cherry, and limewood.

Entirely handprinted on a 15th-century reproduction wooden Printing Press. All the small “smudges and blots”, uneven pressure, and all the other small details throughout the pages, shows the result of 9 months of printing work — spanning through late winter, spring, summer, and autumn — where all the changes in temperature and humidity (and at one point also the location of the printing works) translates in how the Press behaves and the very result of each print.

https://preloprints.com/projects/aesop-fables-english-edition.html

At under 200 EUR, I think this is really excellent value for money. (I don't have any connection to the press)

That does look lovely, and seems like a very reasonable cost for work of this quality.

I also like the pamphlet on Vlad Dracula that they offer - https://preloprints.com/projects/dracula.html

EDIT: I thank you, though my bank account curse you. I have ordered both Aesop Fables and Dracole Waida from them now.

And… sold out. :-(

It looks really intriguing, thank you for sharing!

>3 kermaier: I didn't think that many copies would last long once it was shared here.

>1 filox: Well I wish I had read the full thread before immediately trying to order a copy - I can’t believe we managed to get a publication sold out in a single day!

>6 NathanOv: Well, there are 34 copies, and this has been published a few months ago, so it's not clear to me how many copies were left to begin with, but probably not that many.

>7 filox: When I saw it this morning there were only 3 copies left - there was a counter. That was when the thread had two comments.

!!!

Can't believe I missed this.........

Extremely exciting for all those lucky enough to have snagged one.

Denmark has an INCREDIBLE history of private printing, and Copenhagen has several bookstores which are essentially private press shops.

I already mentioned the books last year here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/333668#7653592 It seems I should have advertised it more.

Disappointed I missed this. I did pick up the Dracula pamphlet. I will keep an eye on this press as it seems to focus on (or at least prominently feature) medieval texts and woodcuts.

>10 c_schelle: I guess most people never bothered to check your link out, versus the original post here providing all the mouthwatering details of the production. Hopefully some of the more curious members jumped on it back then, based on your post.

My copy arrived today and it’s very nice. Slightly difficult (for me at least) to read, between the Middle English and the font, but a really beautiful book. I’m fourth generation American with roots in Denmark so it’s extra special to me. Thanks for sharing, filox & c_schelle!
A few photos here: https://imgur.com/a/xzUKXIq

Hi! My name is Jorge and I'm the person behind Prelo Prints. I found this forum by change some time ago and registered now to thank you for the nice words and appreciation for my work. I would like to inform you that I just opened a subscription for a monthly newsletter so that you can be informed of the projects in progress, new editions, and much more. You can register on my website: www.preloprints.com
(I hope this is not against the forum's rules. If so, I ask the moderators to inform me or delete the post!)

If you have any questions about my printing process, Press, or anything else, I will be happy to answer.

Best regards,
Jorge

>14 Prelo_Prints: As a happy owner of the English-edition Aesop, I've signed up. Looking forward to seeing what you have in the works.

>1 filox: I love Jorge's work at Prelo. That edition of Aesop is an absolute delight and a much loved book on my shelves. I was (and still am) gutted that I narrowly missed out on the German edition, which was his first publication, but have made a point of being on the ball for publications since. His whole way of working is fantastic and, to my knowledge, unique in its medieval authenticity.

>14 Prelo_Prints: Keep up the goodness, Jorge!
I eagerly await your forthcoming books!
Warmest wishes,
Mark Askam,

First Prelo newsletter received, some exciting projects in the works. Sign up if you are interested, particularly if you have a medieval turn of mind.

The next title from Prelo Prints is in the works. It's a small work that is also designed to be potentially part of a larger bound volume. Reservations are now open.

https://preloprints.com/prints/lyfe-of-saynt-george#reserve

>19 Shadekeep: Did you get a reservation confirmation? I tried to reserve a copy, but didn't get one. I'm not sure if I did something wrong or there just isn't a confirmation.

>20 c_schelle: No, nothing came back after placing a reservation. I'll probably write direct, that's what I did with Aesop.

Hi! Thank you all for your interest and support. Half of the copies are now reserved!
I changed the form to show a confirmation message after you submit the contact, and I will write to all the subscribers when the booklet is ready to ship before it's available for everyone. Feel free to write if you have any questions.

>19 Shadekeep: I’m all over this like an eager medievalist. Copies ordered!!!

>22 Prelo_Prints: Thanks Jorge, I got your email follow up as well. An exciting new project!

Just ordered St. George--my first purchase from Prelo Prints. Very excited to see how it turns out!

>25 JacobHolt: Kudos! Ordered mine just now, will love for this to be the start of a series as planned.

Received the new work from Prelo, it's luverly. Bodes well for the new series.

>27 Shadekeep: It certainly does. And that linen handmade paper is gorgeous!

>27 Shadekeep:
>28 ChestnutPress:

Agree.

I certainly hope Jorge continues this series of booklets from the Legenda Aurea and issues enough of them to gather together and eventually place in a custom binding.

>29 dlphcoracl: That’s Jorge’s general idea.

>27 Shadekeep:
>29 dlphcoracl:

Jorge Lar and his Prelo Press are decidedly Old School, thankfully so! What can possibly be more Old School than designing and building one's own 15th century wooden press, printing letterpress with rare moveable types on superb handmade papers from ancient paper mills, then illustrating with woodcuts carved by the proprietor. Printing a series of booklets on selected saints from the Legenda Aurea in sufficient number to accumulate into a custom binding is ambitious, certainly something I will follow with great interest.

However, there is an Old School private press edition of the complete Legenda Aurea which is over a century old and it is:

The Golden Legend of Master Caxton (3 volumes), Kelmscott Press 1892.

This project was of keen importance to William Morris, so much so that "it was to have been the first book from the Kelmscott Press, but unforeseen difficulties with the first stock of paper led to delay in production" - Walsdorf 7; Peterson A7; Franklin page 215. This edition feaures two large wood-engraved illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones. Typography, woodcut borders, printer's mark and initial letters are by William Morris. The volumes are large 4to.

This particular set was rebound in art bindings by Andrée M. Clarke, each in a different style, using colored calf onlays and gilt stamping. Each volume is housed in its own custom 1/2 brown morocco clamshell box with gilt-stamped green morocco labels. Clarke was born in the Tonkin region of French Indonesia. She lived in France and in New York City where she studied French relieure under master bookbinders Catherine Stanescu and Deborah Evetts.





Volume 1





Volume 2





Volume 3





Edward Burne-Jones title page, Volume 1:



The Lyf of Saynt George Martyr

>31 dlphcoracl: Those are true gems. Thanks for sharing.

>31 dlphcoracl: Gorgeous!

The new booklet has been announced, it will be A World of Dragons - The tale of St. Margaret of Antioch. Still early days yet and not up for pre-order, but work on it is underway.

Brief update on the next booklet from today's newsletter -

"the Lyfe of Saynt Margaret holds top priority. The text is transcribed, woodcut designs are in progress, and we anticipate commencing the print in early 2024."

Dear readers, I would like to add here the information that the reservations for this year's edition - the Lyfe of Saynt Maragarete - are open. If you are interested in a copy please head up to Prelo Print's website and reserve your copy: https://preloprints.com/prints/lyfe-of-saynt-margarete