New acquisitions 2023

New year, new thread, new stuff!

Starting the year here with acquisitions from two new (to me) presses. Both very kindly added in extra titles, which was a nice surprise. Most are chapbooks, and a few have offset printed interiors, though the majority are full letterpress.

The first batch is from St Brigid Press, a press I've not seen mentioned often here so I created a thread for them. You can see my haul there as well.

The other batch is from The Hardscrabble Press. From them I picked up their only full letterpress title currently available, The Mink Coat. It's an attractive chapbook written by the press owner Keagan Hawthorne. I also ordered three of the Notes on the Craft volumes and Keagan kindly threw in the fourth. He also included A Lullaby, the 2022 Christmas Keepsake.

Feels like a good start to the year's collecting.

>1 Shadekeep: They are some good items to start the year with, Shadekeep. I can't fault Emily's St Brigid Press output, and the other Press looks interesting too. I need to get my backside in gear and take some photos of the recent additions to my shelves so as to shared them here. I've some lovely items from Chad at The Sutton Hoo / The Last Press, a beautiful volume from Evergreen Press and a handsome short collection of Robert Bringhurst poems from Peter Koch's side project press, The Real Lead Saloon. I am still waiting on the arrival of a couple more bits, so there will be some proper entries from me on this thread before too long.

My first purchase of the year arrived today: The Book of the Golden Asse of Lucius Apuleius from The Ashendene Press (1924). A book from this esteemed publisher has been on my wish list for quite some time.

Committed/expected so far:

1. Butcher, David - Pages from Presses 2 - Whittington Press, 2022. Edition B, one of 40 copies.
2. Delp, Michael - The Mad Angler Poems - Deep Woods Press, 2014. Custom binding, one of 71 copies (holdover from my 2022 list).
3. FitzGerald, John - Haiku na Feirme - Salvage Press, 2022. Bound in full altered goat, one of 100 copies.
4. Gonzales, Griffin (tr) - Enuma Elis - No Reply Press, 2022. One of 26 copies bound in quarter gold-tooled vellum with hand-marbled boards.
5. Kafka, Franz - In the Penal Colony - Deep Woods Press, 2018. Custom binding, one of 39 copies (holdover from my 2022 list).
6. Macgregor, Miriam - Midwinter - Whittington Press, 2012. One of 25 specially bound copies out of 265 total copies.
7. Poe, Edgar Allen - A Descent into the Maelstrom - Nawakum Press, 2022. One of 26 copies in quarter leather binding out of 60 total copies.
8. Sayenko, Dmitry - Myths About Witches - Dmitry Sayenko, 2017. One of 12 copies.
9. Schulz, Bruno - The Republic of Dreams - Nawakum Press, 2019. One of 36 copies.

>3 kdweber: Fantastic book! You are very fortunate.

>4 Sport1963: That's quite the exciting list! I hope you share your thoughts on the Dmitry Sayenko book when you receive it - I've had his Nikodim Press on my radar for a while now, but have yet to order any.

>3 kdweber: That's a fine way to start the year!!

>4 Sport1963: A magnificent list with some serious gems on there. I'm also waiting on a special of Haiku na Feirme, which is in the queue at the bindery. The goatskin looks great, though!

>4 Sport1963: Good stuff! Just checked out the work of Dmitry Sayenko, very much inspires booklust. Does he have a site for direct purchase, or is it a matter of hunting down the titles through booksellers?

>9 Shadekeep: If you are in the USA, you will have to hunt down his titles via a bookseller. Swan's Fine Books (full disclosure - I am a loyal customer of Laurelle Swan) has several of Sayenko's titles. His books have very low limitations, and many are acquired by institutions, so they do not often come on the market or up for auction.

>8 ChestnutPress: Thank you Chestnut, that's good to know. Jaime emailed me back in October that he wasn't happy with the initial dye runs, and he wanted to get it "just right". I'm sure the book will be worth the wait.

>10 Sport1963: Thanks for the info. I had assumed as much given some of the limitation sizes. Cheers!

I acquired this signed copy of Peter Everwine's "What a Word Dreamt" from Sutton Hoo Press via the lastpress.com web site. The design and execution of the book are impressive, but I'm doubly impressed with how accessible Everwine makes Aztec poetry. I studied some pre-Colombian history and art in grad school and always found it fascinating, but often inaccessible or opaque. This beautiful book changes that. The translations go right to the images and consequently the context.

>13 vangalder: Nice pick-up. I got 6 books from Sutton Hoo Press (Chad), including What a Word Dreamt, in December and have one more on order. All are interesting, well designed, on great paper and well valued.

So far this year I've picked up:

Red from Incline Press
A piece of Fleece Press ephemera (second-hand)
(Slightly fine press adjacent): A Century for the Century. Fine Printed Books 1900-1999 (second-hand)

From the looks of Roger Grech's Instagram, An Albion in the Antarctic (St. James Park Press) doesn't look too far away now, and I'm looking forward to getting that.

If money allows I'm hoping to:

Continue building my Fleece Press collection.
Pick up 2020 Vision (which is currently still available from Nomad Letterpress)
Buy Coastline (again Nomad Letterpress, but out of stock there. This one could be trickier).

I also want to get:

Roland Gant's Steps to the River and also Mountains in the Mind (both Whittington Press). Possibly the special editions which would mean I would also have to upgrade my standard copy of Stubble Burning!

But I'm easily distracted so I could end up buying anything that takes my fancy!

The Song of Solomon, illustrated by Wharton Esherick, Centaur Press (1927). Unpaginated. 25 double-folded leaves. 3/4 orange buckram over tan paper boards, with debossed gilt-accented illustrated roundel on the front cover. Gilt decorated motif on the back cover. Interior covers in gilt. Yellow ribbon marker. One of a limited edition of 525 copies printed by the Pynson Printers.

A gorgeous edition of the the biblical Song of Solomon (aka The Song of Songs), illustrated throughout with striking woodcuts in black from American artist Wharton Esherick (1887 - 1970). Although Esherick is best known as a sculptor, furniture designer and craftsman, this one of a handful of illustrations he produced. The images include larger full-page illustrations as well as historiated initials and head and tailpieces which are often sensual, romantic, erotic and/or pastoral in theme, tying into the content of the biblical text. Text throughout printed with beautiful typography in black and yellow. The colophon contains another woodcut and a facsimile signature of the artist.

I have all manner of goodies, small and large, either ordered or turning up. First up for sharing (which I'll do as and when I get them up on my Instagram page) is a little beauty from Chad Oness' Sutton Hoo Press. It is my first piece of his work and it is gorgeous in all respects. I shall certainly be getting more!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnRNhHEMhjT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

>17 ChestnutPress: Good choice for an entry point! I've been very pleased with everything so far from Chad, and had some titles on the wishlist. Enjoy expanding your collection!

>18 Shadekeep: I shall enjoy expanding it. Chad kindly included a handful of smaller items that he'd printed, including a couple of Quires and another gorgeous little booklet. I have a small stack of items put by for me. They will have to wait a few weeks until I can pay for them as all my spare funds have been well and truly spent on all manner of books that are due in the next two months. I love throwing money at books until I'm reduced to living on bread and water!! 🤣

>19 ChestnutPress: I love throwing money at books until I'm reduced to living on bread and water!!

A sure sign of bibliomania!

>20 Glacierman: Absolutely! I have been this feverish for two decades, and I am happy as a pig in mud!!

The year is young but started with a bang!
My first two Tallones: the "Quinze Joies de Mariage" and Pablo Neruda's "Summary, the book where the rain was born".
Both superlative examples of handset typography. Quinze Joies is especially enriched by the very lovely woodcuts by René ben Sussan, while the paper of Summary is a tactile dream.
These two will certainly be hard to top.
Can post pictures if there is interest!

>22 thfrgi: Pictures would be nice, I've been considering adding a Tallone to the collection!

>23 Shadekeep:

You really do not need any pictures because nearly all Alberto Tallone books look identical. There have stiff paper wrapper bindings, use the finest Italian hand-made papers, feature flawless handset letterpress printing, pages with wide margins around the text, and no illustrations. They are austere in the extreme, similar to the Doves Press, and are pure typography. The extensive article on Books and Vines (with photos) will tell you all you need to know. Remember to left-click once, then a 2nd time, over each photo to enlarge the photos.

https://booksandvines.com/2012/06/12/a-look-at-the-renowned-alberto-tallone-prin...

I agree that the typography is more or less uniform within categories (prose, theater, poetry), although you contradict yourself, dlphcoracl, on the point of there being no illustrations by linking to a post with copious pictures of the woodcuts in the Perrault edition :)

I will post pictures of the woodcuts from the Quinze Joies this evening, as these are a bit harder to get a hold of online and I have yet to have found a full set of them, so it can be a sort of service.

I had wanted some Tallones for a while, not least because of the connection of that particular press to Dijon (through Darantiere), where I went to highschool (being at that time blissfully ignorant of all printing matters).

>25 thfrgi: Thanks! The books I am most drawn to from Tallone at the moment are The Nocturnal Train, A discussion about printing, and Manuel des Amphitryons. Some of their typeface catalogues interest me as well. But always instructive to see what others have gone for.

As you point out, they do seem to have a fair selection of books containing artwork. Quite gorgeous ones, in fact!

https://www.talloneeditoreshop.com/tallone/en/11-books-with-artworks

>25 thfrgi:
>26 Shadekeep:

Woodcut or wood-engraved illustrations in Alberto Tallone books are the exception rather than the rule. The vast majority are sans illustrations, along the lines of the Dove Press and Bremer Presse.

>22 thfrgi: I have two Tallones as well: Emily Dickinson Poems, and Neruda: Summary. I love their work. As someone else above mentioned, very austere with the emphasis entirely on typography/printing quality, which is second to none. I hope to see more of the occasional English language publications in the future. My only criticism so far is that I would have liked for Summary to have included the original Spanish text on the facing page, but actually that’s more of a preference than a criticism.

>26 Shadekeep: If I had that many euros, I would get one of those!

>28 Nightcrawl: I would like to have the Dickinson as well, but so far it's proven too expensive, especially for poetry which I am generally more resistant to...
The Perrault I will definitely get, as it's generally very affordable. I wish they'd do something in German, so that I could have all of my three languages represented.

By the by, does anyone have or know where to find a link to a complete list of the Tallone catalogue? Their own webpage does not seem to include one, only what is available for sale, and the link in the above booksandvines article is defunct.

>29 SuttonHooPress: Aye! Alas, I fear €5,000 for a single book is quite outside my range, barring an exceptional encounter.

>31 Shadekeep: Mega Millions up to 1.3 billion of late. . . . .

>32 SuttonHooPress: Ah, nice! I guess this will be the one I go ahead and win, then. Was just waiting for it to be worthwhile. 😉

I actually acquired this one in December, just now getting around to mentioning it:

Marilyn Taylor. The Seven Very Liberal Arts. Aralia Press, 2006. 1/120 copies in blue cloth. This copy unsigned. My first from this press.

My first (fine press) book this year is Hésiode, Pandora, Les pharmaciens bibliophiles, retold and illustrated by Maria Clouzot, followed by the original Greek text and a French translation; a beautiful production! I will add an entry and some pictures to the Ancient Myths Bibliography thread, when I have the time.

My Stone Wall Book of Short Fictions, Coover, ed. is due any minute now. Got myself positioned to where I can see when the mail lady is coming down my road. Always wanted a copy of this book.

>34 Glacierman: Nice acquisition! I'm quite pleased with the Aralia titles I've picked up. Oak Knoll is a good source for them, with a decent quantity of original stock on hand straight from the press. They had a 50%-off sale on some of these titles not too long ago, too.

>23 Shadekeep: Chose promise, chose due: Here the 15 joies de mariage by Ben Sussan, in the order in which they appear in the book, along with a single page showcasing the generous 20pt Caslon.
(please excuse the poor quality of the images)

































In my opinion these fit in wonderfully with the ironic, tongue-in-cheek tone of the text and manage to evoke medieval woodcuts while retaining a distinctly modern look.

>38 thfrgi: Absolute agreement here. Love those.

>38 thfrgi: Holy cats, I think I have to have this book! I remember it was on my list at one point and then I lost track of it. Thanks for the metaphorical kick in the trousers!

>40 Shadekeep: Consider yourself enabled, sir!
Though if you don't have much facility for old French you'll be limited to admiring the woodcuts, which is surely not the worst thing in the world but still something to consider.

>41 thfrgi: I'm a dabbler in tongues (I wanted to grow up to be a philologist), so I understand just enough to get it wrong. I've already ordered an English version of the text to help me out. It even has the same illustrations!

Some more photos of the Tallone book. I also own a copy and hope one day AI will be able to translate that old French well.

"The hand colouring of the wood cuts was performed by Edmond Vairel, one of the very best when it comes to pochoir. Among other books coloured by him you will find Henri Matisse's Jazz".

Indeed, quality colours! Probably the best in my modest collection.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/214397

Just purchased The Stand gift edition from Cemetery Dance press site. It took 5 minutes to sell out. I purchased it, went back to see it and it was already sold out. I guess they only had few copies left. It’s a 1300 page book. Does anyone here purchased it. Lettered editions sold out at $1500

That certainly looks like a massive book!

This and the discussion about the Curious King editions has me wondering if there is any intersection between the more "classical" world of fine press printing and the "genre " (science fiction, fantasy etc.) world of "fancy" edition.
As a reader of that kind of literature I would very much like some editions of it that adhere to the principle of said "classical" printing rather than the more gaudy (for lack of a better word) style that prevails.

I guess it is the lot of any fine press aficionado to have a very long list of works they would like to see printed in their preferred style. Had I much capital at my disposal that would be grounds enough to start a press of my own...

>45 thfrgi: This comment seems to overlook that fine press printing has encompassed every style and artistic movement for the past century and more. There is no "classical" printing. What would that be? Kelmscott? Doves?

>46 edkennedy: I thought my referring to the above edition of The Stand and the Curious King press made clear what I meant.
And I suppose that by "classical" I meant a certain restraint and emphasis on typography, which you are absolutely right does not stand for all of fine press printing.
Put more plainly, here is the question: Is there any press out there printing genre fiction in the same way that more "canonical" literature is usually printed, for such boring people as me who don't enjoy weird fonts, gem-studded or purple bindings and digital illustrations but still would like those texts letterpress on nice paper?

>47 thfrgi: For the fantastical Pegana Press maybe? up to each if the font qualifies.

103 Not Out. David Gentleman's Stamps by Brian Webb has just arrived. One of 330 copies and "probably the last letterpress book printed at the Fleece Press". It has approximately 75 stamps tipped in. It's just lovely, and I'm so pleased to have it.

>47 thfrgi: The standard leather and cloth editions of Parable of the Sower that Thornwillow put out were pretty restrained. In non-current presses I have been slowly reading through all of Cheap Street’s back catalog (thank you, library) and I find the typography pleasing, although some of their paper choices are weird.

>49 TheTotalLibrarian: Wow, that's shipping already? I might pick that up at some point as well, still waiting on my large order from Fleece to post.

You folks are a bad influence. I have 5 more books on order.

>47 thfrgi: Arete Editions and Lyra's Press fit your description. Gaudy can be a personal interpretation, but their books are highly regarded by many on this forum and elsewhere. The Night Circus by Books Illustrated is tasteful, even elegant. Check out Peter Pan by Conversation Tree Press for another example. Suntup Editions has several books- Hill House if you consider that genre (blasphemy!), the HG Wells set, I am Legend -that would fit into your category. I'm sure I'm forgetting many others.

I love genre fiction, but my desire to purchase a given work in a fine press production is limited to how often I'm likely to reread it and how deeply I will interact with it when I do read it.

>48 bacchus.: Thanks for the tip, the Dunsany stuff looks interesting (but pricey, ouch)

>53 SDB2012: Thank you for the Arete press tip, though they don't have much on offer yet (and also pricey, though certainly high quality). Will be watching in the future.
I was already aware of Lyra's, but the illustrations generally disagree with me and I am profoundly allergic to the rights system.

>50 ambyrglow: Yes, I also have high hopes for Thornwillow to yet publish more stuff I am interested in! I think so far they've done a very good job at printing some "wide interest" works in very attractive packages while avoiding most of what are, to me, design pitfalls.

>53 SDB2012: Those are all fine examples.

>54 thfrgi: Collectible Book Vault has an interview series- Minds of the Press -which has some pretty terrific interviews with the proprietors of some of the presses mentioned in the last few posts of this thread. Some of the people interviewed also post in the Fine Press Forum on a regular or semi-regulae basis and are quite open to talking about their work.

If you consider 1984 to be a genre novel, St James Park Press is about to publish what may be the greatest fine press version of any genre novel ever published. It's really special.

No Reply Press has a few science fiction offerings in the works- Azimov, Le Guin, and Vance. Their proprietor frequently posts here.

Finally added a couple of Limited Editions Club titles to the collection, both of them exquisite volumes from Oak Knoll - The Three-Cornered Hat and The Book of Ballads. The hand coloring in the latter is particularly crisp and delightful. I can see why this imprint is praised still.

Got a screaming deal on a copy of this typoghraphic feat!

>58 SuttonHooPress: An excellent example of Merker on top form!

One of two recent new-to-me presses that have really caught my eye is Geert de Koning's Factotum Pers in the Netherlands. I have recently picked up three items from him and all are first rate. The typography is typical of the best of Dutch fine press, following on from the classic styles of Jan van Krimpen, Sem Hartz and Bram de Does, and the presswork is seriously superb. Below is a link to one of the three photo posts I put up on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnjO_yuLNj8/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I picked up a very nice edition of In the House of Light (Stone Wall Press, 1970) thanks to a recommendation from Chad at Sutton Hoo. It's another book of Aztec poetry translations by Peter Everwine and could be considered a companion piece to Sutton Hoo's own What a Word Dreamt.

Also acquired The Fifteen Joys of Marriage (The Orion Press, 1959), translated by Elizabeth Abbott and with the same Rene Ben Sussan illustrations as the edition posted here. It's not fine press, but on the plus side I am able to read it without effort. 😊

>60 ChestnutPress: Thanks for sharing this press, the work is exquisite. I am very tempted by Openbaring van Johannes, which to me compares favorably to Foolscap's Phisicke Against Fortune. I very likely will acquire Over de vijftig tafelmanieren, as it dovetails with my medievalist tendencies. Or at least I will once I figure out how to place an order!

>62 Shadekeep: Wow, that one's tempting just for the typography and illustration, even though I can't read a word of Dutch! (Though I do see it's "Bestel" for "Purchase")

I do wish their dual-language Italian / Dutch edition of Petrarch's Sonnets was still available, since that would be a great a companion to Phisicke as well.

>63 NathanOv: Yes, it does look like that sort of takes one to a purchase page, though it's more of a "fill out this form" deal. I'll need to step through it and translate it before I place an order.

Good point on the Sonnets. I rather wish they had kept the original Italian on Table Manners in parallel as well, as I'd be closer to understanding it then. But even in Dutch the books are tasty objets d'art.

>61 Shadekeep: So you're the one who took that out of my cart! Let me know how you find it — I'm sure another will pop up before too long.

>65 gmacaree: I think I saw that Oak Knoll had one. . .

>65 gmacaree: Which book? My idea of shopping is snatching items from other people's baskets, you know. I get punched so much at the grocery store.

>65 gmacaree: I'm guessing you're referring to In the House of Light, since there are plenty of copies of Fifteen Joys out there. I did find one on Abebooks, and about the same price I paid:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31395555112

I like the book, though I've only browsed it at the moment. Its construction reminds me of a No Reply or Clinker Press title, with a straightforward binding, good typesetting, and a pleasing paper choice. I think it's a worthy purchase.

>62 Shadekeep: I dealt with the printer directly on Instagram rather than trying to work out the Dutch website. Much easier! 😁👍🏻

>69 ChestnutPress: Oo, smart! He started following me on there as well, so I should try that first. Thanks!

I received three Fleece Press books today, from the secondary market.
Mr Derrick Harris, First Friends and Leon Underwood. All three seem very impressive, but Leon Underwood looks special

An Albion in the Antarctic arrived today from the St. James Park Press. It's a beauty!

I took delivery of three new arrivals today:

1. A copy of 'Lohengrin' by The Tudor Black Press. A nice surprise was the attractive marbled papers used together with the quarter leather for the binding of this 'ordinary' edition.
2. A copy of 'The Agamemnon of Aeschylus' from the Rampant Lions Press (and with thanks to shadekeep for pointing out the availability of this version). I'm looking forward to reading this.
3. A copy of 'In Praise of Letterpress' from Rampant Lions Press. This is a real treasure for anyone interested in letterpress printing and/or broadside printing. A collection of 10 A4-size broadsides with quotes about letterpress printing, each printed in 2 colours and employing a different type and using a range of hand-made and machine-made papers. All contained in a well-made clamshell box. This won one of the first Judges’ Choice Awards at the Oxford Fine Book Fair in 2001 (which is not surprising). What is surprising is that, of the 140 copies that were made, copies are still available at the excellent price of £85.

A few new acquisitions:

King Harald and the Icelanders (Penmaen Press, 1979). Some wonderful wood engravings by Michael McCurdy in this one. I picked up one of the 100 deluxe editions, primarily because I like the patterned paper-covered boards.

Pwyll, Prince of Dyved (Gwydir Press, 2013). This is a little gem, with lovely presswork on tactile Magnani paper. Thanks to Glacierman for bringing it to my attention.

The big acquisition this month has been Phisicke Against Fortune (Foolscap Press, 1993). The beauty of the typography, quality of the presswork and clarity of the woodcut illustrations are something of a revelation to me!

A bountiful couple of months thanks to this forum.

Specific thanks first to ChestnutPress for starting the Ten Favourites thread, and including Howard Phipps's Ebble Valley. The valley - better known locally as the Chalke Valley - is not far down the road from me, I have an engraving by Phipps hanging by my desk, and it's a Whittington production of which I was previously unaware. A rapid buy.

I greatly like the 1980s Schiff LEC books, and had for a while been thinking about adding All the king's men to my collection of them, but was wondering if the appeal was too American. I was tipped into acquisition by praise and photos from a non-American source, originaux, further down the same thread.

Like >73 edgeworn: I picked up the super bargain The Agamemnon of Aeschylus thanks to shadekeep, but the link provided was to Sebastian Carter's remaining Rampart Lions stock. Who knew? I already had In praise of letterpress, but there was The Psalms of David fresh in the mind from the The Oracle's magisterial survey of the Psalms, and still fresh from the press. Another remarkable bargain. Then there was Balzac's The unknown masterpiece, unknown to me, and a promising looking read.

In a little further correspondence with Sebastian, I disclosed a wish for the Rampant Lions Four Quartets and lo! an o/s copy has headed my way, as wonderfully designed and printed as the Psalms.

So my thanks to the Fine Press Forum. I may have to look away for a while.

>74 SyllicSpell: Pwyll! Just when I thought I could stop buying books for a while.

>73 edgeworn: Received Lohengrin yesterday, finally got around to unwrapping it just now. It is gorgeous, perhaps the finest work yet from TBP. The binding is lovely with the marbled papers, and the interior is very striking, with engravings by Jenny Portlock and a bold typeface choice. I didn't request a specific number, so was surprised and pleased to see that Hugh had sent me #1. It's the first "first" in my collection, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Glad to see that you and >75 affle: were able to get The Agamemnon of Aeschylus. Waiting on my copy of In Praise of Letterpress as well. I also have The Unknown Masterpiece from them, it's a good one too.

>76 SDB2012: You won't regret it. I hope to see similar works from Gwydir Press in the future.

And I've just received my Lohengrin. More great work from Hugh. I love the use of Octavian, and I'm a sucker for marbled boards.

>77 Shadekeep: What a bonus!

>74 SyllicSpell: Pwyll, Prince of Dyved

Cripes, that's lovely! Another to go under the heading "things I didn't know existed but now must find the money for".

>74 SyllicSpell:

Foolscap never disappoints. I highly recommend Tower of the Wind. If anyone is hesitating due to the scroll thing, it's a lot easier to unroll and read than you might think.

Now the floodgates are open, as long-awaited books arrived today.

From No Reply Press I received Enūma Eliš (#16).

And from Fleece Press my accumulative order of Endeavours & Experiments, Today I worked well, My Brush is My Sword, Cut to Impress, and Thomas Turner’s Diary 1754-1763. Once again I am impressed by the craft of these books. The solander for Endeavours & Experiments is very nice as well.

>78 SyllicSpell: Do they still exist? Their website only shows three books published and the last one was in 2020.

I also received Enūma Eliš this week.

>72 TheTotalLibrarian: Thanks for reminding me to respond to James' e-mail.

>80 MobyRichard: is the text interesting? That’s been holding me back at least as much as the scroll layout

I have just received the masterpiece of the Bremer Presse: Biblia. Das ist: Die Gantze Heilige Schrifft Deudsch. D. Martin Luther.

5 volumes of Martin Lüther's Bible printed on the hand-press with splendid initials drawn by Anna Simons.

>75 affle: So many good books in your haul! The Four Quartets is one of my favourite RLP editions

>85 Lukas1990: That's a seriously fine purchase!

>85 Lukas1990:

Congratulations!

It is the high point of the Bremer Presse and one of the most beautifully printed books of the twentieth century.

>84 jsg1976:

I find it fascinating. One of those chimerical essays, part ethnography, astronomy, architectural detective story. Very well printed and some wonderful illustrations of the Tower's frieze depicting anthropomorphic figures representing the 8 winds.

The sheaf of papyrus attached to the scroll is also a beautiful touch.

At its published price, it's probably one of the best fine press bargains you can get. No way they could keep the cost that low in 2023.

>73 edgeworn: Thank you for mentioning ‘In Praise of Letterpress’, I just managed to get the last one which I’m really pleased about.

My copy of Lohengrin also arrived today. I’m really very pleased with this. TBP’s work just keeps getting better and better.

>69 ChestnutPress: Put an order in today for Over de vijftig tafelmanieren with Geert at Factotum Press. Thanks again for bringing this press to our attention!

>91 Shadekeep: Great news. It's always a pleasure to spread the word on 'new' presses. There is much out there that a great many collectors miss because it very much goes under the radar. I sometimes like to think I have my finger on the pulse, but then loads of great presses that I've never heard of come to my attention! You'll have to let me know your thoughts. I can't see that you'll be anything other than pleased and impressed.

>90 Rabbitknitter: In Praise of Letterpress is a great publication. I'm always surprised that Sebastian still has copies of some of his books. But it's also good, as it allows us to get mint copies of great editions at the right price. The last time I visited him, I came away with a copy of 'A Printer’s Dozen'. I'd only gone there to take photos of it for an exhibition catalogue, but it was so gorgeous I couldn't leave without taking one!

>90 Rabbitknitter: "My copy of Lohengrin also arrived today. I’m really very pleased with this. TBP’s work just keeps getting better and better."

I second this. I'm looking forward to reading it.

‘Seven Poems with One Title’ by Robert Bringhurst.
The Real Lead Saloon, 2022
Edition of 100 copies

This is the third publication from Peter Koch's superb side project, The Real Lead Saloon, which sees him and a group of friends get together and leisurely work on some very fine booklets. This imprint may well not be on the radar of many collectors as there seems to be barely any information anywhere online. I find this a pity as the publications are really worth having, so I hope this mention might bring some further attention. This latest offering continues to hit the spot like the previous two have, with excellent text that's been finely designed and printed on beautiful papers. Typefaces are Pegasus and Libra, and the papers are a vintage Imago handmade for the text and Velké Losiny handmade paper for the cover.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnwIb8XMqi0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Just arrived: Cut to Impress. Woodblocks once belonging to Philip Newbury, Thomas Carnan & John Newbery. One of 95 copies printed from the original blocks. The Fleece Press, 2021. The marbled paper covers by Louise Brockman are just beautiful. Bought direct from the press.

While not a fine press book, I am thrilled to have at last secured a fine condition hardback of The Voyage of Mael Duin by Patricia Aakhus McDowell. I have been on a quest for this one for a good while, with most copies on Abebooks being mediocre condition softcovers and/or outrageously priced. I finally lucked into a listing from Glenbower Books, appositely located in Ireland. The book was only $11.11, and even though the shipping was more than double at $24.81, I considered this a steal, given that the next cheapest offering of this edition goes for $339.35. The arrival of the book has proved what an absolute bargain it was, as it is a nice as I could have hoped for.

Another Fleece Press arrival, this one from the second-hand market. Think of it as a Poster by Brian Webb. 2010. One of 250 copies with 17 postage stamps tipped in. This stands as a lovely companion to the 103 Not Out which the press has just released.

Another great new volume to my shelves from the Dutch Factotum Pers is a standard copy of ‘Er is een tijd’. This text from Ecclesiastes, with an introduction by Marcel Möring, is the most recent publication from Geert de Koning’s superb press. It was designed, printed and bound by Geert in his own version of Romanée, with initials also drawn by himself (loosely based on some by Jan van Krimpen), on Zerkall mould-made paper. Published in 2022 in an edition of 78 standard copies hardbound in mid grey paper over boards with a deep rust cloth spine, and 18 specials hardbound in dark grey paper over boards with a vellum spine. It is, as the last Factotum edition mentioned on here recently, a beautiful volume despite not being able to read Dutch, and one I can easily enjoy from visual and physical aesthetics alone.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn_kXe4orTr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I was happy to receive today a signed copy in good condition of Jun Fujita's Tanka: Poems in Exile, put out by Will Ransom's private press in 1923. It's a lovely small edition, and I am very happy to add it to my collection. The poems are truly a delight.

Thank you Glacierman for setting me on the hunt for it!

>100 mnmcdwl: My pleasure!

>72 TheTotalLibrarian: As it’s directly from the Press, I’m assuming that’s the new facsimile edition?

>102 What_What: It is the facsimile. One of 92 copies.

Just ordered Dante's Divine Comedy (Nonesuch press). The spine is faded as usual but the price I paid was the lowest on the market so no regrets. Was there a prospectus of the book? If yes, can anyone share it?

Now I need an afordable copy of Nonesuch Herodotus!

>104 Lukas1990: That is a nice book. The spine on my copy isn't faded, but it does have warped boards, another common problem with that book. A delight to read, regardless.

>103 TheTotalLibrarian: Thank you.

My acquisitions so far:

• First, I bought a copy of Goat Green from The Golden Cockerel Press. In terms of physical make-up, it's similar to another book from the press, Mr Chambers and Persephone. But it has wood engravings by Gwenda Morgan that already attracted my attention right when I first started exploring GCP. I had the chance to buy a NF copy for £95, which I think it well below market rates, so am happy. I'm just frustrated that I passed on the chance to buy a couple of other GCP titles at similar prices at the same time.

I also bought two Whittington Press books of photographs. I did this with some apprehension because I had so far focused on their books with relief prints. Silly me! Of course the books are wonderful.

• The first is A view of the Cotswolds. This is a book of photographs of Cotswold village life in the early 1950s, along with a commentary on the architectural and social history and how the places have changed since. I'd say the photographic reproduction is merely very good--nothing different to what you might expect from a well-produced modern coffee table book (they are tritones, which helps give them a bit more tonal depth). But the Bugra-Butten paper and letterpress printing are very nice. The book is also a nice bit of escapism for those who enjoy being in rural England but find themselves sat in an urban office for far too many days of the year. I got it in a January sale for £100 but it can generally be found for not a lot more than this. At that price, I think this book represents exceptional value for money.



• The last book is a real hidden gem in my opinion. It is A Slow Ride to India, again from Whittington. This is a book of John Randle's photographs from an overland trip to India. If the reproduction in A View of the Cotswolds was very good, A Slow Ride is exceptional. Add in the usual nice paper, cool typography, attractive pochoir boards, and so on, and this book is an instant favourite of mine. There don't seem to be many copies floating around, but if you get a chance to buy one it would definitely be a recommend from me, so long as you are somewhat interested in the subject matter. I paid a little over £200.

Brief Loves That Live Forever and The Story of the Fisherman both arrived yesterday. Both beautiful and completely different from each other. Peggy and Larry are both wonderful to deal with as well.

>108 CTPress-Tony: Great selections - the finest two books that are available from the press in my opinion!

While most of the other books remaining in print are less ambitious, though still wonderful, Journey to The Moon is every bit in the same league as those two if you ever consider adding a third to your collection.

>108 CTPress-Tony: Enjoy!!! I got them both last year and they are two of my favourites ;)

>109 NathanOv: I’ve been curious about Journey to the Moon. Not one often mentioned here, but looks like a very impressive production. I guess the price is a barrier for many (myself included). Would love to see photos if you would like to share. The Foolscap website is a bit lacking in that regard. (Am I just oblivious or is there no way to enlarge the photos?)

>111 Nightcrawl: I actually do not have photos available of that one, but I believe a handful of other collectors on the forum have copies.

I hesitated for a long time myself due to the lack of quality photos and, of course, high price. However, I think the premium over Foolscap's other major editions such as Mandeville or Brief Loves is justified by the production methods and artwork. It utilizes direct gravure illustrations which goes beyond the colored letterpress in other editions, and has what I believe must be their most complex binding with the half-pages that open from either side. Like Mandeville, it is also a new adapted translation commissioned by the press.

Side note, it also uses the same translator as "Brief Loves," which is an interesting connection between he two very different texts.

Excited to add the Golden Cockerel Press four volume work of "The Canterbury Tales", illustrated by Eric Gill, to the collection.

>113 Sport1963: Oh, wow — that’s on my list of books I want very badly, but will likely never own. Congratulations!

>112 NathanOv: Thanks! Appreciate the insight.

>114 kermaier: I had to go deep and forward spend a significant portion of my '23 book budget, but I couldn't pass it up - decent price and excellent condition.

>113 Sport1963: excellent acquisition: congratulations are indeed in order!

In transit to me are a couple of small press books, both of which are germane to my continuing research into the four small/private presses I profiled previously on this forum. They are:

1. Lee Bassett. The Mapmaker’s Lost Daughter. 500 copies, wraps. Story, WY: Dooryard Press, 1980.
  This is the first book from this press.

2. Matthew Hanson. Clearing. Illus. Sarah Miller. Foreword by James Welch. Missoula, MT: Kutenai Press, 1986. 8vo, 40 pp. 150 copies in tan printed wraps from the Barcham Green mill.
  This is the first book published under the Kutenai Press imprint. The author was Richard Hugo's step-son who died at the age of 23. This was his only published work.
  The first book printed by the newly formed Kutenai Press was a checklist of the Bieler Press printed for the publisher, the Campbell-Logan Bindery of Minneapolis (1985).

>118 Glacierman: Both of those sound really intriguing, please share what you wish when they arrive.

I have a couple checks out in the mail for some books as well, one to La Ginestra and the other to Larkspur Press.

>119 Shadekeep: "I have a couple checks out in the mail for some books as well, one to La Ginestra... .

You have a treat in store for you. Christmas in January!!

Over de vijftig tafelmanieren from Factotum Press arrived yesterday. Quite fast shipping from the Netherlands given the current state of world affairs in delivery.

I have to agree with ChestnutPress, this is some of the finest printing I've seen. It's not just the craft of the individual elements - typeface, paper, ink, binding - but how they all come together. I am honestly not bothered that I can't read the book itself without a translation at hand, it's so superb.

The book was inside a natty branded paper bag and accompanied by a leaf from Sonnetten voor Laura. If that one was on offer I'd have gotten it as well.



  

>121 Shadekeep: Geert's work sure is handsome, isn't it! Craftsmanship so good that not being able to read it becomes just a minor problem in the broader enjoyment of the aesthetics! The Petrarch leaf is a nice item to have in the absence of the edition itself (which is really beautiful in the whole)

>122 ChestnutPress: Yes, I may have to hunt that one down. I just learned that I actually got the last copy of Over de vijftig tafelmanieren he had for sale, so the timing was propitious indeed. Interestingly, it's #10, even though the book was an edition of 60.

He told me he has another Bonvesin da la Riva book in the works, Disputatio musce cum formica ("a discussion between a fly and an ant").

>123 Shadekeep: It's very much worth tracking down. Good for you on getting the last copy of your ordered volume. Regarding the number, I don't know of any Press that actually specifically sells books in order of their number, so it's no oddity. The only time numbering slightly baffles me is when there specials aren't given logical numbers, such as an edition that has ten special copies, but the allocated numbers for them are random, like 17 or 56 etc. rather than an obvious 1 - 10. I have z couple of editions like that

>124 ChestnutPress: That's a good point about the numbering. I was more surprised that it was a relatively high number, and also a nice even one. I'm more used to getting #37 or some such. 😊

Luther's Bible (Bremer presse) is here!

Three recent arrivals:

Shakespeare's Hamlet, Alberto Tallone, 1978 (one of 360 copies on Magnani paper)

The Garden of the Night, 26 Sufi poems translated by Iftikhar Azmi and illustrated by Richard Kennedy, Whittington Press, 1979 (one of 200 copies in the cloth and Japanese hand-made paper binding)

The Country of the Blind, H G Wells, Golden Cockerel Press 1939. Full page wood engravings by Clifford Webb. A nice edition, containing two versions of the short story: the original from 1904 and the revised version of 1939 with a substantially rewritten ending. (one of 280 copies, quarter bound in leather by Sangorski and Sutcliffe and printed on Batchelor hand-made paper)

>127 edgeworn: did you buy The Country of the Blind from BHF on eBay by any chance?

>126 Lukas1990: Dang!!!

>127 edgeworn: The H.G. Wells is a gorgeous volume!

>126 Lukas1990:

Major league -a family heirloom for generations to come.

Congratulations.

>128 ubiquitousuk: I bought my copy from an Australian bookseller. I've had this book on my wants list for a while and copies are not that easy to locate.

>130 ChestnutPress: Good quality printing of both text and wood engravings on fine paper and attractively bound - what's not to like!

>132 edgeworn: I see. I ask because a copy recently sold on eBay in the UK for £125. I was the second highest bidder and decided to keep by bid low because I was also in the process of buying a bunch of other stuff. But that was a stupid decision in hindsight because I think it would have been a decent deal even at twice the price.

>133 ubiquitousuk: £125! Someone picked up a bargain there.

I couldn't help myself and had to get one of the special copies of the latest Corvus Works publication ‘Claude Garamond’, after seeing a photo of Roger Grech's beautiful binding of it.

Designed and impeccably printed by Christopher Wakeling at Corvus Works, Blackball, County Durham, UK, in Sabon-Antiqua on Arches Vélin Blanc mould-made for the text, Zerkall Ingres and Zerkall Smooth mould-mades for the tipped-in plates, and Barcham Green ‘Bodleian’ handmade for the linocut frontispiece. Published in 2022 in an edition of 105 copies, of which 99 are standard copies hardbound by the printer in quarter burgundy cloth with printed blue paper sides, and 6 (plus one more printer's copy) are specials hardbound by Roger Grech at R. Grech Bindery, Shipley, West Yorkshire, UK, in quarter burgundy leather with blue, green and metallic gold Freya Scott marbled paper sides, held in a slipcase.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoaTcT4r83K/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Not a book but wanted to show you my latest acquisition - a big engraving by Sepp Frank of Charlemagne or Charles The Great. Sepp Frank has illustrated some beautiful books:

https://booksandvines.com/2011/12/08/faust-by-johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-from-ju...

https://booksandvines.com/2011/11/02/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare-1920-edition-...

>136 Lukas1990: That's a great piece!

It's been an exiting last couple of weeks with these arrivals:

Lohengrin, Tudor Black Press, 2022, one of 45 copies in quarter leather.
A Scandal in Bohemia, No Reply Press, 2021, one of 50 De Luxe copies in quarter Morocco.
The Enūma Eliš, No Reply Press, 2021, one of 100 copies in quarter vellum.
An Albion in the Antarctic, St James Park Press, 2022, one of 92 copies.
Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, Gwydir Press, 2013, one of 140 copies.
Thucydides, Folio Society LE, 2023, one of 750 copies.

These two are also on their way:

The Agamemnon of Aeschylus, Rampant Lions Press, one of 500 copies.
The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, Extraordinary Editions, one of 150 copies in half-leather.

>138 Dr.Fiddy: That's a lot of great stuff! I'm still thinking of giving in and ordering Pwyll, Prince of Dyved. If I do, it will likely be my last big-ticket purchase for a while.

>139 Shadekeep:

Although more expensive, I would strongly consider this one (see link). It contains the entire Mabinogion with an unmatched set of wood engravings by Dorothea Braby.

https://booksandvines.com/2012/05/13/mabinogion-translation-by-gwyn-jones-and-th...

>140 dlphcoracl: Thanks for the recommendation, definitely of interest to me. I've created a watchlist for it, though if anyone sees a worthy copy come around please do let me know. I may go for Pwyll anyway as I like to support active presses whenever possible. (Not sure how active Gwydir Press is, but they appear to still be in operation.)

>140 dlphcoracl: Thanks for the recommendation. I'll certainly be looking out for it.

>141 Shadekeep: Pwyll is a beautiful little book with very nice and heavy, textured paper.
I actually don't think the press is active anymore. I tried sending them an email, but it just bounced back. I also contacted the castle, but got no reply. So, I ended up getting it from a Welsh bookseller that had three new copies.

>142 Dr.Fiddy: Ah, fudge. I was going to order all three of their listed available titles. That's a dang shame. I'll see what I can find in the aftermarket, but on the plus side it frees up the money for other wants.

>140 dlphcoracl: thank you for posting that. Somehow I'd missed the Mabinogion on my many visits to the Books and Vines site. Any idea on the market value of the book?

>144 SDB2012: 1k and up

>143 Shadekeep: Judy Corbett, the press proprietor, is still active on Twitter and Instagram. Could be worth trying to contact her through one of those platforms. Pwyll really is a beautifully made book.

You can add me to the list of those now coveting the Golden Cockerel Mabinogion.

>144 SDB2012:
>145 Glacierman:
>146 SyllicSpell:

Glacierman is correct.

Collectors Notes: After the GCP quadrilogy, i.e, the three famous titles with extensive Eric Gill wood-engraved illustrations plus the superb edition of Paradise Lost with Mary Groom wood engravings, the next tier of great GCP books includes 5-6 titles and the Mabinogion is one of them. Amongst the 200+ GCP editions in their bibliography I consider the Mabinogion to be in the Top Ten. This is a book that MUST be acquired in fine condition without any compromise and, yes, they do exist. Fair value for such an edition from a fine & rare bookseller is $1,100 - $1,200.

Incidentally, the photos of the Mabinogion in the Books and Vines article are set up so that if you L-click once over a photo it will enlarge. It you then L-click again (a 2nd time) over the enlarged photo, if will enlarge further providing a macro photo view of the Dorothea Braby wood engravings and the outstanding letterpress printing. You will then fully appreciate just how good this GCP edition really is.

https://www.madocbooks.com/details.asp?bookNumber=7855

Mabinogion as recently mentioned for sale. By coincidence it is for sale in Wales.

And there is one for sale in Australia here.

>146 SyllicSpell: Thanks for the lead, I'll see if I can get in touch with her.

>148 paulm16:
>149 Glacierman:

Neither book is in fine condition. This is one book I would be quite picky about.

>148 paulm16: It's gone. I'd put an order in an hour or so before your post, but someone here beat me to it +). I received an email from the owner stating that in 20+ years he'd never seen the same book ordered within hours.

>151 dlphcoracl: This half-Welsh American will keep an eye out for a fine copy. In the meantime, Pwyll is on the way.

>151 dlphcoracl:

Trust me - it is well worth the wait.

FWIW, this is something I am a bit quirky about. Ignoring the fact that certain private press books can never (or rarely ever) be found in fine condition, there are a handful of private press books in which anything less than fine condition, for me, detracts considerably from the book and the GCP Mabinogion is one of them.

>153 dlphcoracl: are you able to articulate why you single-out this and other such books in particular as requiring fine condition?

>154 ubiquitousuk:

Yes and no.

It defies strict logic or precise definition. That said, there ARE certain private press books in which the defects or problems regarding book condition seem to become magnified in an irritating way, compromising the careful book design and aesthetics of the book. Some specific examples where conditional issues rub (no pun intended) me the wrong way:

1. Grabhorn Press: Leaves of Grass and Sir John Maundeville.

2. Arion Press: Leaves of Grass, The Physiology of Taste, The Apocalypse, and Tristram Shandy.

3. Golden Cockerel Press: the Eric Gill trilogy, Paradise Lost.

4. The 1932 Bruce Rogers Odyssey of Homer (T.E. Lawrence translation)

5. Officina Bodoni: The Holy Gospel

6. The large quarto books in white vellum over boards with gilt titling and decoration from the golden age of book illustration, e.g., Dulac, Rackham, Pogany, etc., published by Hodder & Stoughton, J.M. Dent and George Harrap between 1900 to 1935.

Perhaps the best answer to your question is a famous quote from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart during a 1964 decision on obscenity. In describing his threshold for obscenity he wrote:

"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description "hard-core pornography", and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it..... ."

Similarly, I know there are a handful of private press books I would not be pleased with if not in fine condition. This will vary from one collector to another and other collectors will not be bothered by these imperfections at all.

I told you it was quirky.

>155 dlphcoracl: Sorry to nitpick but 4) should be the T E Lawrence translation not D H

>156 DMulvee:

Clearly another brain cramp, now corrected above.

Thanks.

I've recently received these:

Simplicissimus, Limited Editions Club, 1981

The Defense of Gracchus Babeuf, Gehenna Press, 1964

The Travels and Sufferings of Father Jean de Brebeuf Among the Hurons of Canada as Described by Himself, Golden Cockerel Press, 1938

The Little Flowers of Saint Francis of Assisi, Limited Editions Club, 1930

The two engravings by Eric Gill for the title page of Father Jean de Brebeuf are the only illustrations in this book but they're brilliant. The paper is nice (Arnold's mould-made), printing looks very good, and from what I have read so far, the work itself is fascinating. I was enabled by the review on Books and Vines.

>158 GardenOfForkingPaths: Bravo! Four outstanding selections.

Brebeuf is an extremely interesting read and served as inspiration for Brian Moore's "Black Robe", which was adapted for the 1991 Bruce Beresford directed film of the same name. Much of the unflinching portrayal of Native American culture was taken directly from Brebeuf's account. This book also influenced Michael Mann's portrayal of Native Americans in his film "Last of the Mohicans". Thankfully, both directors ignored most of what James Fenimore Cooper wrote about Huron, Mohawk, and Algonquin society. While Cooper could (arguably) write a good tale, anthropological accuracy was not his strong suit.

>158 GardenOfForkingPaths:. Congrats on a really nice haul. They all look to be in great condition.

>160 kdweber: Thank you!

>159 Sport1963: Really interesting, thank you for mentioning the connection with the books and films. From what you say, it's going to be fascinating to compare with James Fenimore Cooper's portrayal (up to this point I have really enjoyed the Leatherstocking Tales!)

As with Brebeuf and Babeuf, books that bring to light important historical accounts and present them in a beautiful format is one of the really intriguing areas of fine press collecting for me.

In case it is of interest to anyone, as of a few weeks ago, there were still copies of Gracchus Babeuf available.

Just ordered a copy of The Apocrypha (Cresset press) from the Netherlands (that's my fine press book eldorado haha).

Would love to own this one (black vellum looks gooood):

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31018753081

>162 Lukas1990: Some of those limited Cresset editions are really gorgeous, as that one you posted shows. My favourite has to be Bacon's Essays:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1fuhu_BTnE/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

>162 Lukas1990: Not to mention the handmade paper....

>163 ChestnutPress: That one is huuuge!

My shelves will soon be full of vellum as my Nonesuch press La Divina Commedia is already at customs and it won't take long for The Apocrypha to arrive too.

>162 Lukas1990:

Love my copy (not the black vellum version, alas). A beautiful book.

>165 Lukas1990: 'Shelves full of vellum' is the way forward!!

Circling back to the discussion of Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, I just heard back from Judy Corbett at Gwydir Castle. Apparently she is still binding copies of Pwyll, along with A Letter From Wales, but is doing so on demand. I may spring for these still, though some other book opportunities recently have put a dent in the coffers. Anyway, if anyone is still looking for these direct from the source, drop her a line.

Three older Fleece press works arrived this week. Ravilious for Curwen, and Bookplates by Richard Shirley Smith were the first two, but the exciting arrival was the special version of Ploughshare and Hayrick about the life of Claughton Pellew

>119 Shadekeep: I'll do that, but it will be a while yet.

>170 Glacierman: Take your time, it'll be appreciated regardless of when.

Well, hello there!

>172 Lukas1990: Such a gorgeous volume!

>172 Lukas1990: You're going to love that book! And it is a VERY nice copy. Congratulations.

Just a $50 Perishable Press book that sounded interesting because of the covers. "Thank You Call Again" (Perishable Press, 1973), poems by Ken Mikolowski, illustrated by his wife Ann. Edition of 120 press-numbered copies.

Like most everything published by Walter Hamady, it's not boring! Palatino handset and printed in seven colors. Get a rundown of the papers: Sekishu, Shadwell (Hamady's handmade paper), Sheepstor, Hosho, and ... Tawny Absorbent. Handsewn into a map of the Detroit River area.

This is the last book that Hamady put out before the appearance of the first Gabberjabb later that year. That book, "Interminable Gabberjabbs" by "Voltaire the Hamadeh", started a series of 8 books in which Hamady pointedly calls attention to and subverts readers' assumptions about the form of the book, particularly a fine press book. To us maniacal collectors of the press, the series perhaps best represents Hamady's idea concerning artist's statements: "the work IS the statement" (Gabberjabb 6; true to form, this has a footnote).

"Interminable Gabberjabbs" would also use a few features previewed in this little volume (almost an illustrated chapbook):
-- the use of maps in the binding, although in "IG" the maps are pasted sewn? on the inside of the Fabriano covers, and those are nicer, USGS maps of Hamady's "Blue Mounds" region in Wisconsin.
-- handmade papers cut in progressively different sizes, but I think in IG the papers were all Shadwell. Hamady had played with a variety of paper sizes in a few books before, and he had been mixing different handmade papers for a few years by this point.
-- printing an edition of 120 in at least 6 colors. Perishable runs were never big (a few earlier ones were 250, and after that, most were sub-200 copies).
-- some fun with small caps and sizes on certain pages. Absolutely beautiful setting and printing of Palatino, but that's standard PP.

Clearly, Hamady was working on "Thank You Call Again" and "Interminable Gabberjabbs" either simultaneously or in immediate succession. There is a lot of stylistic and material overlap, which I really did not know when I bought this on a whim. I just wanted another Perishable Press book. I am quite pleasantly surprised.

Just ordered a fine copy of A Babylonian Anthology by Bird & Bull Press, 1966. One of 200 copies. Bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in blue quarter-leather with oatmeal linen boards. Not sure if it was printed on hand-made paper, though. My first book from this press.

>176 Lukas1990: A Babylonian Anthology is indeed on paper handmade by Henry Morris (the man who was Bird & Bull P.), and it bears a Babylonian-themed watermark. In the wonderful bibliography "Twenty One Years of Bird & Bull (W. Thomas Taylor, 1980), Morris discusses how he was a commercial printer who started making handmade paper, and would actively seek out texts to print on his papers. "A Babylonian Anthology" is the sixth book from his press, very early in its history. Hope you enjoy it and find occasion to get more from the same press!

Just a few for me so far this year. North of Boston and Song of the Broad-Axe from Ascensius and I am on the list for No Reply's "big three" that I (anticipate? hope?) will ship by year end.

>177 DenimDan: Thank you very much! Letterpress, beautiful and quality binding, hand-made paper, nice illustrations - sounds like a win! The price was also pretty good. Besides, I've probably found a copy in the best possible condition.

>178 LBShoreBook: What are you thoughts on North of Boston? I've been eyeing it but for some reason have yet to make the purchase.

>176 Lukas1990:
>177 DenimDan:

Bird & Bull Press editions are an acquired taste because most of Henry Morris's bibliography centered about making handmade papers and other aspects regarding The Arts of the Book. No one, however, will dispute the quality of the B & B publications. In this regard, Henry Morris was joined at the hip with Walter Hamady and his Perishable Press. A few suggestions regarding B & B books with wider appeal:

1. Sweynheym & Pannartz and the Origins of Printing in Italy (1991). An important leaf book made for high end fine & rare bookseller Phillip Pirages.

2. Three Erfurt Tales (1962). Three charming medieval tales with reproduction of the fifteenth century woodcuts. This edition is a facsimile from the original ultra-rare edition owned by renowned book collector Lessing Rosenwald, who would later donate an astonishing rare book collection to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., including the Giant Bible of Mainz, which is kept in the lobby on permanent display (see link).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Bible_of_Mainz

3. Three Lions and the Cross of Lorraine (1992). Another rare and important leaf book.

4. Five Short Stories by Marcel Ayme (1994)

5. Ourika by Claire de Durfort (1977).

>180 Joshbooks1: I think its well done. I would have liked the deluxe edition (leather binding) but he had only one left and is selling at a premium (I think $1500); there is one for sale right now in secondary market that I think will go for less. I ended up purchasing the standard edition with a cloth cover and no slipcase at $400 (no slipcase is a bummer). The paper is nice, really nice bite to the letterpress and a pretty nice collection on the poetry (substance). I may purchase a deluxe at some point and let go of the standard because I like the collection.

>182 LBShoreBook: I believe Ascensius produced 26 copies in full leather with clamshell box, but only 15 copies in full cloth. Maybe the former should be considered the "standard" state, and the latter "sub-standard"? ;-) (I have a cloth-bound copy and, while I wish I could afford the leather-bound, I'm pretty happy with it.)
If I remember correctly, the original publication (2014) prices were $1250 for the leather-bound state, and $400 for the cloth-bound. But I think that Scott Vile has been selling copies of both at a variety of prices -- both higher and lower -- over the years.

>181 dlphcoracl: I think that's a good comparison between Perishable and Bird & Bull re: the quirks, subjects, and very specific appeals of their books. I also find that each press is very clearly an extension of their printer's personality (apparently, both Hamady and Morris were irascible). And each was an early figure the modern handmade paper movement in America.

As someone also wrote of Perishable Press books, "get a copy of one of their books in your hands!" So too with Bird & Bull. Here are a few cheaper titles from Bird & Bull that I enjoy:

1. The Private Presses of San Serriffe (1986): Part of Morris' long-running joke regarding a fictitious country and the resurrected Theodore Bacchus. Printing puns abound! It's worth noting that most sellers have it listed as being published in Port Clarendon by the San Serriffe Publishing Company. $50

2. Twenty-One Years of Bird and Bull (1980). Co-published by W. Thomas Taylor, the book is printed on Roma handmade paper and contains Morris commentary on his first few dozen titles. I'm totally enamored of fine-press bibliographies generally. This is the first B&B book I bought. Morris' annotations are illuminating and sometimes can be hilarious, sad, spiteful, the works. It's a real bargain and a beautiful book. $150

3. The Foresters (2000): Long poem by Alexander Wilson (it's pretty good!), but the real attraction here are the wood engravings by Wesley W. Bates. Gorgeous production from later in the press' history. $200

>185 dlphcoracl:

Thank you for your recommendations. I will certainly explore them as they are unknown to me.

In general, I tend to avoid Books About Books, e.g., books and private presses which focus primarily on paper making and/or typography. However, there are two exceptions:

1. Corvus Bookworks. Christopher Wakeling's books are so well-designed and beautifully printed that I cannot resist them, nor should I.

2. The Mountain House Press books by Dard Hunter. These books explore the history of handmade papers over the centuries around the world. The books are beautifully printed on some exceptional handmade papers made by Dard Hunter himself, frequently containing paper samples collected during his travels and/or photographs. Unfortunately, these books are ungodly expensive but the edition 'Dard Hunter & Son' published by the Bird & Bull Press is an excellent substitute.

>184 DenimDan:

Enabled. Ordered The Foresters from Oak Knoll Books, one of my favorite booksellers.

Incidentally, if you are interested in fine & private press bibliographies, one of them reigns supreme (imho). It is the Allen Press Bibliography published in 1981. Unfortunately, it is one of the most expensive of the Allen Press books and I would look for this to appear in a PBA Galleries auction. Note that there is a much less expensive facsimile version that was published in 1985 by the Book Club of California in an edition of 750 copies, but it does not have the private press production values of the original.

What sets this bibliography apart from the others, e.g., Ashendene, Grabhorn, Arion Press, Officina Bodoni, etc., is that it is much more than a compendium of published books with dry descriptions and tipped-in leaves. The Allens describe the trials and tribulations of printing one book each year using a 19th century handpress over a forty year period, doing all of the book design, printing and binding themselves, inserting their personalities and passion for bookmaking in their bibliography.

>181 dlphcoracl: Your posts usually leave me enriched in private press knowledge and poorer in wallet.

>186 dlphcoracl: "Note that there is a much less expensive facsimile version that was published in 1985 by the Book Club of California in an edition of 750 copies, but it does not have the private press production values of the original."

I disagree, at least in part. Yes, the first part of the book is a facsimile of the 1981 edition, printed offset, but the second part contains new and original material from 1981-1985, printed letterpress to the same standards as the 1981 edition. A collector of Allen Press books should own both editions.

Received a nice package of various fine press titles from a UK bookseller. The first four of these are the first ones in my collection from the presses in question.

La Belle O'Morphi (Golden Cockerel Press)
Real Sky (Whittington Press)
Ten Sonnets (Evergreen Press)
The Rivers and the Flames (Evergreen Press) {curiously, this one is unnumbered}
By Oral Tradition: A Moral Tale for Our Time (Incline Press)
The Ship of Sounds (Plain Wrapper Press / Gruffyground Press)

I picked up The Ship of Sounds thanks to a recommendation from Linda at Edizioni La Ginestra. It was printed by her mentor Alessandro Zanella for Gruffyground. It is a very handsome volume indeed and a recommended one.

One other interesting recent acquisition in the chapbook Roadsalt from Bieler Press. My first title from that press as well, and nice production, down to the blind printed image on the cover.

>188 Shadekeep: There's some very nice bits in there, mate, particularly those older Evergreen editions.

>188 Shadekeep: Wow, a nice package indeed! Enjoy 😊

>189 ChestnutPress: >190 Dr.Fiddy:

Thanks! The Rivers and the Flames is a really gorgeous production, both the printing and the binding. And I think I got lucky with The Ship of Sounds, it seems to be an uncommon title. Always a treat to get another Gruffyground.

I have added two smaller books from Fleece Press, both with real examples stuck in:
"103 Not Out" - this wonderful collection of David Gentleman stamps is a nostalgic trip back to my childhood. As always, beautifully designed and printed.
"Henry Morris & His Paste Papers" - an unexpected opportunity to indulge my love of paste papers.

I found a copy of "Coastlines (Nomad Letterpress) - still in its brown paper publisher's wrapping and it is everything that I had hoped for. It has been at the top of my wants list for a while and this is how I obtained it: I stayed longer in the city than I had planned, chanced upon a book fair I had not expected, spoke to a dealer who then directed me to another who thought he had one somewhere. He found it and sold it to me at the publication price. When I opened the wrapping a waft of printing ink emerged with the book. Oh happy, happy chance!

Never give up.

>192 AndyEngraver: Wow, that's great about the Nomad title! So delightful when things unfold that way.

>192 AndyEngraver: congratulations! I thought I was lucky when Pat Randle sold me one of his copies after it had gone out of print. But in finding a still new copy this late in the game, and at the original price, I think you hit the jackpot. I hope you enjoy Coastline as much as I did.

Now I'm just waiting for Cousin's next one, which seems to be shaping up nicely.

>191 Shadekeep: 'The Rivers and the Flames' is a really nice example of early Grice work. It's a very lovely booklet. 'The Ship of Sounds' is a very fine example of both Gruffyground and Plain Wrapper Press. It seems to be something that pops up reasonably often, but rarely at a decent price. I hope yours wasn't too harsh on the pocket! The Garrick Palmer engraving is astonishing, and one of my absolute favourite illustrations to be found in Gruffyground publications. Anthony's Christmas card for last year featured it in mid blue, printed from the block by John Grice. Very handsome!

>192 AndyEngraver: Two choice editions, Andy. 'Coastlines' is an absolute beauty, and I look forward to the follow-up book that I know Hannah is working on

>195 ChestnutPress: Glad to know it's not exceedingly rare, as it really belongs in a lot of collections. I got it for just under $100, which is roughly where the other fine copies I've found are hovering as well.

>197 Shadekeep: That seems to be the kind of price asked for it these days. The real peach of a copy available out there is the special binding edition that Maggs have (and have misdescribed)

>198 ChestnutPress: That is a lovely looking edition. What is amiss in their listing?

The biggie is that they say there are 15 of them, when there are only five. On more finicky matters, they say it's lettered in gilt, when it's actually lettered in Palladium. Smalll, but important, matters in such a beautiful rarity. And I can fully attest that it really is a gorgeous edition as I'm one of the ridiculously lucky souls that own a copy.

I just took delivery of three books I won at auction:
The Chaste Planet by John Updike (Metacom Press, though actually printed at Penmaen)
The Enemy from Eden by James Dickey (Lord John Press)
Praise by Philip Levine (Sutton Hoo Press)
My only volumes from each of these presses (so far).

The Ideal Book arrived today, photos here.

>201 kermaier: Good stuff, and I heartily recommend more Sutton Hoo.

EDIT: >200 ChestnutPress: Palladium! That's nicer than gold. And what a splendid rarity.

The House of the Seven Gables, 1932 by the Limited Editions Club is another one that is lettered in Palladium.

>203 BuzzBuzzard:
Not always seen in that condition!

>201 kermaier: I wish I knew where that auction was, I might have made a play for Praise. That poor edition has been through the ringer. I only have one bound copy myself. A large part of that edition was lost (or stolen?) during the house moves I made since it's release. Recently I found some unbound copies (I always try to hold back a few) that I want to get bound so that I have my own little heritage box of five filled here at home.

>205 SuttonHooPress: Sending you a PM.

Received Hercule Chrestien from Kim Merker's Windhover Press, great little book. I've been consistently impressed with Merker's work and am negotiating a purchase of multiple titles from his daughters Ker and Meghan.

>207 Shadekeep: Rulon-Miller got his library--lots of good stuff there too. I got some good deals from him, including on Kim's Morris socialist Diary, printed on glorious paper.

>208 SuttonHooPress: Indeed, and I'm eyeing a few of those ex libris items from Yellow Barn and bradypress as well. Not exactly keen to a be a vulture, but I do so with the knowledge it will be my own bones on offer one day.

I've also ordered his production Natura from Fireproof Books on Abe. I've had great luck with Fireproof and gotten a bunch of back-catalogue chapbooks in immaculate condition from them. And while Natura is a Windhover book, it's part of substantial order with a primary focus on Cummington Press titles.

>202 Shadekeep: Anthony loves a special binding using precious metals. He also used platinum for the five specially bound copies of Aquamarine!

>201 kermaier: I'm awaiting some new Sutton Hoo pieces. I love the examples of Chad's work I have so far

>203 BuzzBuzzard: Very nice!!

>209 Shadekeep: Natura is a beautiful little book!

>209 Shadekeep: I love Natura. I have the Windhover edition. I don't know if the Gruffy Ground edtion shares the same binding or not. My Cummington books are among my favorites.

>214 SuttonHooPress: The Gruffyground edition has a very simple Barcham Green paper cover:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CevNZxDLr2n/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

>214 SuttonHooPress: I believe the edition of Natura I'm getting is the Windhover. But I shant cavil if it's Gruffyground, I like everything I have from Anthony. Really looking forward to seeing how the Cummington works look and feel too.

deleted.

>215 ChestnutPress: Interesting. My copy is more elaborate, a beautiful case binding. Really love the Romaneé italic. . . .

This is a book I acquired in 2022 but had restored and rebound, receiving the completed project earlier this year:

The Second Punick War by Silius Italicus , printed by Thomas Roycroft for J. Martin, J. Allestry and T. Dicas (1661).

The Second Punic War by Silius Italicus (26-101 AD) is an epic poem written in Classical Latin over two thousand years ago. It is written in dactylic hexameter and its seventeen books and 12,000 lines are the longest surviving poem written in Latin from antiquity. The Second Punic War was the second of three epic battles between Hannibal of Carthage and the Roman Army, eventually led by Scipio Africanus in the third and final battle in Africa, resulting in Hannibal's defeat and Carthage's suing for peace.

This edition is the first English translation by poet Thomas Ross who rewrote it into rhyming couplets. This translation was inspirational for Milton, Dryden, Pope, and Gibbon who were aware of it before writing their own long epic works. It is a folio-sized book measuring 17.7 x 11.5 inches (45 x 29 cm) and it is illustrated with an engraved portrait of Charles II facing the dedication page by David Loggan, twenty engraved plates by Joseph Lamorlet and numerous woodcut initials and head-pieces. The binding I acquired it in was half dark brown calf with marbled paper over boards with visible signs of wear. Additionally, the book was improperly bound resulting in rippling and creasing of the pages near the gutter which made it difficult to turn the pages easily. Complicating matters, numerous pages in the final third of the book demonstrated mild staining from water damage involving the upper 20-25% of each page.

I sent this book to Stuart Brockman of Brockman Bookbinders Ltd. for restoration and rebinding. He suggested a binding which is a specialty of his, a quarter alum-tawed smooth goatskin with elaborate embossed designs, thick quarter-sawn English oak boards and gilt titling. He had previously used this binding on copies of the Kelmscott Chaucer and Liber Chronicarum (the Nuremburg Chronicle) by Hartmann Schedel and was pleased with its appearance on a folio-sized book.

The restoration process was little short of miraculous. Stuart Brockman was able to wash the pages in a solution which removed the water stains and cleaned and brightened the unaffected pages as well. When properly rebound, the unsightly folds and rippling in the pages disappeared and the pages turned easily. A somewhat battle-worn copy of an antiquarian rarity now appears quite fresh, not far removed from its appearance shortly after publication in 1661.

The first photo shows the book alongside a standard size quarto (4to) book from the Pegana Press for comparison purposes.

>219 dlphcoracl: It must be tremendously satisfying to have seen this project through to such a beautiful conclusion -- congratulations!

>220 kermaier:

Thank you.

Frankly, James and Stuart Brockman can make anyone and anything look good.

To fully appreciate the technical skill and alchemy of Brockman Bookbinders Ltd., the photos shown below illustrate what this edition of the Second Punick War looked like prior to the restoration and rebinding. In particular, notice the tight, pinched appearance of the pages as they approach the book spine (gutter), resulting in severe creasing and odd folds which made turning the pages without tearing them quite difficult. the last photo shows the water staining at the top portion of the two pages which Stuart Brockman successfully removed from this edition in its entirety.

>219 dlphcoracl: and >221 dlphcoracl: Most impressive. A restored gem.

>218 SuttonHooPress: I have that case binding version, also. Very handsome with that Japanese Sudare paper

>219 dlphcoracl: That's a beautiful treatment of a gorgeous book. I doff my cap in your direction

>219 dlphcoracl: Remarkable! I had no idea pages could be 'washed'. Amazing results and a beautiful binding too.

>226 GardenOfForkingPaths:

"I had no idea pages could be 'washed'.

Nor did I !!!!

When Stuart Brockman told me he was going to wash all of the pages with his magical potion (solution) to remove as much of the water staining as possible, I nearly fell out of my chair. It certainly is counterintuitive.

A recent addition in a fine binding:

The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal, Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1885.

Blaise Pascal was a a child prodigy, one of the most influential thinkers of the 17th century, whose contributions spanned the fields of mathematics, physics, philosophy, and Catholic theology. However, he is woefully under-represented in modern private press editions in the English language. Predictably, there are several private press editions in French but I could not find one in English over the past 125 years. One has to go back to this 1885 edition to find one. Fortunately, although this edition preceded the modern private press revival begun by William Morris and the Kelmscott Press in 1890, it is nicely done and worthy of a place on one's bookshelves.

This copy is the rare large paper edition of only 50 copies, all hand-numbered and signed by Charles Whittingham, the proprietor of the esteemed Chiswick Press which did the letterpress printing. The fine binding was done at a later date by W. Root & Sons in a dark tan full morocco with gilt ruling and design, very reminiscent in its restraint and taste of the work done by the Doves Bindery.

>228 dlphcoracl: Very tasty, Delph!

>227 dlphcoracl: Washing is a standard procedure for removing stains and for de-acidification best done by an expert, as the book has to be completely dismantled and each sheet handled separately with extreme caution. Not an inexpensive process.

Another recent fine binding acquisition:

Poems by Christina Rossetti, Gregynog Press, 1930. Edition of 300 copies.

This is an early Gregynog Press publication without the elaborate wood engravings the press would later become known for. It is a deceptively simple edition and its simplicity works in its favor. The poems were selected by Walter de la Mare whose long forty page introduction was originally delivered as a lecture before the Royal Society of Literature. The portrait of Rossetti is a wood engraving by proprietor R. A. Maynard based upon a pencil drawing by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

The book is printed on Japan vellum with the poem titles printed in red and wood engraved initial letters beginning each poem. The original binding was quarter cream-colored Hermitage calf with marbled paper over boards. This binding is usually found in marginally collectible condition with considerable wear, darkening and soiling to the calf book spine. My copy was rebound by Bayntun-Riviere of Bath in a full scarlet red morocco, rounded spine and edges, four bands on the spine, marbled paper pastedowns and free endplates with all edges gilt. The bindery gilt-stamped its name on the lower leather turn-in of the rear cover, a feature I have found indicative of bindings the most famous binderies in the U.K., e.g., Zaehnsdorf, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, W. H. Smith & Son, W. Root & Son, etc., consider to be their finest work.

>231 dlphcoracl: Glad you solved the issue of posting photos! Another beautiful book. Waiting for my first book with a S&S binding to arrive soon.

>231 dlphcoracl: Understated elegance and the finest of 'fine points' in all aspects. That is a beautiful volume, dlph!

>232 Lukas1990: Can't go wrong with a Sangorski and Sutcliffe binding. What's coming your way?

>234 ChestnutPress: Nothing THAT special. Just the earlier mentioned Bird & Bull book.

>235 Lukas1990: Special enough. A book (or binding) really doesn't have to be 'bells and whistles' to be really admirable. That one there is a typical example of the plain work by S&S, which I always find to be very finely executed and handsome. Obviously, I love their 'top tier' work (who doesn't?), but their more run-of-the-mill edition bindings are really nice too.

>236 ChestnutPress: My thoughts, exactly!

>231 dlphcoracl: Very attractive volume, and it's Rossetti, so a double win.

>235 Lukas1990: I like that one as well. There's much to praise about an understated but well-executed binding.

>233 ChestnutPress:
>238 Shadekeep:

Thank you.

Poetry books without illustrations work just fine with me. This early Gregynog Press book is often overlooked and, like Shadekeep, I enjoy Christina Rossetti's poetry.

>140 dlphcoracl: Thank you for the recommendation. I found a copy in the special binding today and have taken it!

>240 DMulvee:

Congratulations!!!!!!!

The Mabinogion in the special full morocco S&S binding is one of the Holy Grails for serious GCP collectors. To illustrate my point.......

James Freemantle (St. James Park Press) owns a world-class collection of the GCP including standard editions, special Sangorski & Sutcliffe editions, ephemera, etc. If you scroll down to the comments at the bottom of the Books and Vines article on the Mabinogion (see link) you can read his thoughts ('James') on this.

https://booksandvines.com/2012/05/13/mabinogion-translation-by-gwyn-jones-and-th...

>241 dlphcoracl: James's GCP collection is certainly something else, but then his collection as a whole is pretty special. It has always been a great pleasure to see.

>242 ChestnutPress:

James may well have the finest and most complete GCP collection in the world - no exaggeration.

Oddly the shop I visited doesn’t have their private press books listed online but I think they had seven Golden Cockerel works in special bindings (They weren’t all in mint condition however, which helped eliminate some). Initially I was tempted more by ‘Jurgen’ as the illustrations were by Buckland-Wright and the special copy has an extra illustration over the standard version, but I then remembered the esteem that the Mabinogion is held in on this forum, so decided to opt for that.

Has anyone read ‘Jurgen’ and could they recommend it or not? I know it didn’t make dlphcoracl list of the better GC titles but don’t know anything about the work

>244 DMulvee: If you're asking about the book itself, it's a good enough read in a kind of Dunsanian mode. JBC was a local lad here and my alma mater's library is named after him.

I know naught about the attributes of the GCP edition, but am quite a fan of JBW, so his illustrations would push me into the "yea" category on the book.

Off the top of my head, Braby illustrated four other GCP books:

Mr Chambers and Persephone (https://wp.me/pc0a8G-Oq)
The Lottery Ticket (https://wp.me/pc0a8G-13n)
The Ninety First Psalm
Gilgamesh

I own the first two and the last. The first three have a similar style of illustration (distinct from Gilgamesh and Mabinogion) that I quite enjoy. The oracle is right that Mabinogion is generally seen as one of the jewels in GCP's crown and getting the special binding is quite the coup. But these other books are, in my opinion, a nice and relatively affordable way to access one of the press' most under-appreciated engravers.

>244 DMulvee: Incidentally, if you don't go for Jurgen, could you let me know the price and if the shop ships to the US? I would be very interested in a fine copy if I can swing the cash.

>245 Shadekeep:

The JBC Library at VCU is an architectural jewel. If my university library looked like that I would have lived there.

>235 Lukas1990: Nice find! Usually that leather is sun-faded to a teal color (mine is). Very cool handmade paper in that one, too.

>248 dlphcoracl: Thank you, it is quite splendid. Always had a superb collection of books at hand, too. They were also my introduction to the magnificent scientific tomes from Springer Verlag back in the day.

>246 ubiquitousuk:

There is one other GCP book Dorothea Braby illustrated and it is one of my faves:

The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart by John Amos Komensky (Jan Amos Comenius), GCP, 1950.

This is the Bohemian version of John Bunyan's more famous religious allegory 'The Pilgrim's Progress' with two important differences:

1. It is sharper, more satirical and scathing with regard to the cast of characters his hero (Pilgrim) encounters as he wanders through the city (labyrinth).

2. Remarkably, it was written 55 years before John Bunyan wrote his English classic.

Dorothea Braby specifically requested to the GCP proprietor at that time, Christopher Sandford, that he publish an edition for the GCP and permit her to illustrate it. Subsequently, she produced a full page frontispiece illustration and half-page illustrations at the beginning of all 53 chapters. Similar to the Mabinogion, the GCP special edition of this book is stunning and it is greatly preferred, albeit difficult to find in NF or fine condition.

>251 dlphcoracl: I *think* that was one of the specials I saw today. Oddly the spine and interior appeared to be in fine condition. The issue was that the front and rear of the binding is a different colour inset (red against the vellum?) and it appeared there had been some type of reaction between these so instead of a clear delineation of cream and red there was a third colour? I didn’t know what they meant or how easy it would be to fix so left it.

One of the other specials had an issue with the slipcase being too tight - it took over two minutes for me to extract the work and this would annoy me too much. Whilst another appeared in fine condition but then I noticed there was brown spotting on the inside of the slipcase. I didn’t know what would cause this, or whether it was indicative of other issues

>252 DMulvee:

Check my photos above of the GCP Special for 'The Labyrinth of the Heart'. This is what it should look like. Accept no substitutes.

>251 dlphcoracl: thanks for the photos. Quite attractive.

>253 dlphcoracl: Thanks! Your version looks great, no idea what had happened to the one I saw today

>243 dlphcoracl: I'd say that's about right, plus all the associated items he has are just incredible

Latest arrivals:
All The King's Men (LEC) - A really nice edition of a novel which I am looking forward to read.
A Lost Lady (LEC) - I enjoyed Death Comes for the Archbishop (Folio edition), so decided to pick this nice little Willa Cather book up.
The Tempest (Grabhorn Press) - Slightly larger in person than I had imagined (16.5inches tall), which was a good surprise (I enjoy big books!).

>247 Shadekeep: I’m sorry, having slept on it I went back and purchased it myself today

>258 DMulvee: Nae worries, I've got more than enough book purchases queuing already for myself. I hope you enjoy it!

The order from Fireproof arrived, once again a set of immaculate books at very good prices. These are my first Yellow Barn and Cummington acquisitions.

Shocks (Yellow Barn Press)
Sea Ice (Cummington Press)
Staying the Winter (Cummington Press)
Wily Apparitions (Cummington Press)
Natura (Windhover Press)

>214 SuttonHooPress: >215 ChestnutPress: The Natura is the hardbound Windhover Press edition versus the Gruffyground one. You're both correct about how nice it is.

A flurry of deliveries this afternoon has turned this into a very greedy week for myself, as three new publications and five older publications joined my collection.

The new publications were Pages from Presses II - Whittington Press (edition C - the cheapest version), The Ideal Book - Ampersand (Vellum edition) and Lohengrin - Tudor Black Press (special copy). Whilst Pages from Presses and The Ideal Book are nice, Lohengrin is spectacular. This looks fantastic.

The older works were Barnett Freedman: The Graphic Art - Fleece press, Vathek - Nonesuch press, Jurgen - Golden Cockerell (special binding), The Mabinogion - Golden Cockerell - (special binding) and The Pilgrim's Progress (Cresset Press)

>260 Shadekeep: Cummington, Yellow Barn and Windhover will always be good choices. I'd say a purchase of anything from those three presses pretty much guarantees a worthwhile addition to the shelves.

>261 DMulvee:

I am a few days away from receiving one of the Tudor Black 'Tales of Lohengrin' in the special blue full leather binding and anticipate it will be quite special.

The Cresset Press Pilgrim's Progress is a gem, illustrated by two of the finest wood engravers active at that time.

>261 DMulvee: The Lohengrin is indeed superb, very likely TBP's finest volume yet. The preview I've seen of Arden is shaping up to be brilliant, too.

>262 ChestnutPress: From what I've seen so far I would have to agree!

Just received a fine copy of LEC 1935 edition of The House of the Seven Gables. Very pleased with how well it matches the Random House 1928 edition (printed by Grabhorn Press) of The Scarlet Letter -- both illustrated by Valenti Angelo, and with similar spine binding designs.

>262 ChestnutPress: I have a few on the way, and an absolute favorite arrived recently, Cummington's FIVE PROSE PIECES by Rilke (1947). Was lucky to see a copy from Chad at Sutton Hoo and pretty much had to find one immediately after. :)

The Apocrypha (Cresset press) has arrived today and has already become one of my favorite books. Quality printing by Curwen press. I will try to write a review some day. There is one on Books and Vines:

https://booksandvines.com/2012/07/28/the-apocrypha-cresset-press-1929/?amp=1

>266 eanson: Fantastic piece to pick up!!

>246 ubiquitousuk:
I know of at least one other beautiful edition from GCP illustrated by Dorothea Braby: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Unlike special copies of The Labyrinth of the World (mentioned above by dlphcoracl, who introduced that book to me several years ago - thank you!), the special edition of the Green Knight (limited to 60) is signed by the artist and by the translator/editor/author of introductory essay Gwyn Jones.
I am not sure why the press did not ask Braby to sign specials of the Labyrinth.

>269 booksforreading: yes, of course. I forgot all about that one. In fact there's one other that I forgot too: The Saga of Llywarch the Old.

Can't stop spending... My newest acquisition is The Book of Jonah (Clover Hill Editions). One of 300 numbered copies printed on J. Green mould-made paper. I resisted the temptation to get the affordable and nice facsimile version of The Folio Society and opted for the letterpress Clover Hill Editions copy with engravings printed from David Jones' original blocks.

>271 Lukas1990: Very wise decision to go for that version. You'd never be satisfied with a FS facsimile!

Two recent arrivals with us:

A copy of the C edition of ‘Pages from Presses’ from Nomad Letterpress with an interesting selection of included pages. I’m looking forward to reading this.

A copy of the 1974 ’Songs from Shakespeare’s Plays’ from Officina Bodoni, fine printing as expected and an attractive binding with quarter green leather spine and a woven patterned cloth covering to the boards. Very nice.

Recently added three titles to the library:

1. Rhygyvarch (Rhys, Ernest tr.) - The Life of Saint David - Gregynog Press, 1927. One 25 specially bound copies in full polished scarlet levant morocco.
2. Gill, Eric (illustrator) - Cantique des Cantiques de Salomon - Cranach Press, 1931. One of 50 deluxe copies printed on japon.
3. Khayyam, Omar - The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam - Petrarch Press, 2022. One of fifteen copies on vellum.

>274 Sport1963:

Frankly, any one of those three books would all but guarantee that 2023 will become an exceptional collecting year for you. Congratulations on a magnificent haul!

>275 dlphcoracl: Thank you.

>274 Sport1963: Amazing trio! Please, don't hesitate to post some photos of The Life of Saint David!

Edit: here's the book for those who haven't heard about it:

https://www.madocbooks.com/details.asp?bookNumber=3870

>277 Lukas1990: Thanks for posting that link. Amazing.

>274 Sport1963: wow, congratulations!

>261 DMulvee:
>264 Shadekeep:

Received my copy of the Tudor Black Press 'Tales of Lohengrin' in the Special Edition and it is indeed spectacular. The Gitane blue full leather binding with matching marbled paper for the pastedowns and endplates immediately catch one's eye but ultimately it is the quality of the presswork that Hugh Macfarlane is extracting from his 1833 Barrett Albion hand press that sets this apart.

The trajectory of the Tudor Black Press is nearly identical to James Freemantle and his St. James Park Press. Both are amongst the very few printing their editions on an Albion handpress and both private presses have established themselves as top tier in very short order, i.e., 2 or 3 editions. At this point, I will buy any forthcoming edition from the Tudor Black Press that is remotely interesting to me.

>280 dlphcoracl: I believe Macfarlane's next project is "Arden Feversham". Indeed looking forward to that production and seeing how those two rascals Black Will and Shakebag fare. Dickens, eat your heart out.

>280 dlphcoracl: Glad to hear it! And I urge anyone who hasn't yet obtained a special edition of The Tragicall History of Doctor Faustus to pick up one from Hugh as well. Only a few copies remain, and it is a perfect companion to both Lohengrin and Arden (based on what I've seen of the forthcoming volume).

>281 Sport1963: You're never too old to learn...and I just learned of a play I never knew existed. Sounds interesting.

>281 Sport1963:
>283 Glacierman:

That is correct, M. Arden of Feversham will be the next Tudor Black Press edition. Similar to previous editions, there will be a very limited Special Edition. Hugh Macfarlane is currently deciding between two superb binding choices for the 'Special' but the quality of the letterpress printing from his Barrett Albion guarantees that both the Standard and the Specials will indeed be 'special'. No losers here.

>282 Shadekeep:

Agree heartily with Shadekeep. I strongly recommend purchasing one of the few remaining Special copies of the Tudor Black Press edition of Doctor Faustus. You will not be disappointed and the price of 175 GBP is quite reasonable for this quality.

Just bought this Stories from Dante book published in 1913 by George G. Harrap and Co. Ltd.

>285 Lukas1990:

That is beautiful. You are on a roll with your collecting, acquiring a string of beautiful and interesting books. Incidentally, George G. Harrap Ltd. is one of my favorite late 19th C / early 20th C publishers, along with George Routledge and Sons.

Lohengrin The Swan Knight by Constance Maud, Tudor Black Press, 2023. Illustrated with six wood engravings by Jenny Portlock. 45 standard copies, 5 special copies (3 of which are for sale). This is one of the 5 special copies with full Gitane blue leather binding, separate portfolio of three wood engravings, and felt-lined clamshell box.

>287 dlphcoracl: Thank you dlphcoracl. After seeing these photos, I regret not going the deluxe route. I won't repeat that mistake. It's a beautiful edition with impressive presswork.

>288 Sport1963:

In very short order, Hugh Macfarlane and his Tudor Black Press have established that they are at the top of their game. Similar to the St. James Park Press, the Barbarian Press and the Foolscap Press, I will buy any forthcoming editions from these presses that I find remotely interesting.

>287 dlphcoracl: What a beaut! That solander is a work of art unto itself. Rivals the best of Fleece Press in that regard. And I love the embossing on the leather covers.

Two titles from Nomad Letterpress arrived this morning: 2020 Vision and Peter Holland, Wood Engraver. I'm really pleased with both. I also picked up four volumes of Matrix. Still a few to go!

Acquired three titles from our friend Mark at ChestnutPress:

· It's the Mist
· Renewal
· Four Poems

And four titles from Kim Merker's daughter Ker of titles he produced:

· The Iliad or The Poem of Force (Stone Wall Press)
· Thrymskvitha (Windhover Press)
· Völuspá: The Song Of The Sybil (Windhover Press)
· Satyra Qvinta Ivvenalis (Windhover Press)

Quite happy with all of these.

>292 Shadekeep: Glad you like, Shadekeep. The Merker titles are some fine choices. I particularly love the top and bottom titles, with the bottom being from the most famous/important person from my home town!

The Ides of March

1. The Tale of Lohengrin, Knight of the Swan, Tudor Black Press, 2023. One of 5 special editions.

2. The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Ebenezer Baylis & Son Ltd. at the Trinity Press, 1934. Fine binding: full morocco with modernist gilt designs by Hugh Birkett, better known for his British Arts & Craft designed furniture.

3. Hard High Country Poems/The Typographic Legacy of Ludovici degli Arrighi, Peter Koch Editions, 2015. A two-volume set with Vol. 1 consisting of a collection of Michelangelo's poetry translated by Robert Bringhurst and Vol. 2 a book discussing the contribution of Ludovico degli Arrighi to typography, arguing that he was the first modern type designer in typographic history.

4. Daisies Never Tell, Joseph D'Ambrosio, 1982. Joseph D'Ambrosio was a book designer and publisher firmly in the camp of Claire van Vliet (Janus Press) and Mark McMurray (Caliban Press), pushing the limits of innovative book design. This is one of his finest and most heartfelt titles, a tribute to his dying grandmother.

5. The Lady or the Tiger/The Discourager of Hesitancy by Frank Stockton, HM/Heavenly Monkey, 2023. The most recent edition from Rollin Milroy. Two linked stories presented tête-bêche, illustrated with two 6-color pochoir frontispieces and a dozen other illustrations by Walter Bachinski of the Shanty Bay Press.

6. Thoughts from the Letters of Petrarch, Petrarch Press, 2004. One of the 20 editions printed on sheepskin vellum/parchment pages.

7. The Gospel According to Philip, Petrarch Press, 2006.

8. Seance for a Minyan, Anthony Hecht, Double Elephant Press, 2001. A cycle of ten poems by Anthony Hecht, each illustrated with two flanking intaglios by proprietor Michael Kuch, a disciple of Leonard Baskin (Gehenna Press).

9. The Vampire Cat of Nabeshima by Algernon Bertram Mitford-Freeman, Cordes Press, 2023. Special edition - just shipped! Printed by James Freemantle at his St. James Park Press.

>294 dlphcoracl: How do you like #7? I see it's available at a very attractive price.

>296 SDB2012:

This is a revised post. Initially, I thought you were inquiring about Seance for a Minyan from Michael Kuch's Double Elephant Press.

Regarding The Gospel According to Philip, it is an elegant little book. The handmade paper from Ruscombe Mills in France is thick and wonderful to the touch and the presswork is topnotch. Printing was done using an 1851 Albion Super Royal iron handpress and the paper was dampened prior to printing, similar to the Allen Press editions. The blue-grey Roma paper used for the binding and slipcase is also superb. At the greatly reduced price it is an exceptional bargain.

>294 dlphcoracl: There are some beautiful volumes in there, with items 2, 3, 6 & 7 being of particular note.

>294 dlphcoracl: What do you think of Thoughts from the Letters of Petrarch? I just acquired a parchment copy a week ago, and I can’t stop reading/fawning over it.

One additional book landed today. It's The Squirrel and the Crow from Clarion Publishing. Part of their Prospero Poets series, it's a very lovely little volume with a number of illustrations. #104, signed by the poet and artist. May have to hunt up others from the series.

>298 ChestnutPress:

Hugh Birkett bindings are a small subset within my collection. Although far better known as a furniture craftsman and an exponent of British Arts and Crafts design he was also an amateur bookbinder, rebinding several editions in his personal library as a hobby. His mother was a professional bookbinder who probably introduced him to fine bookbinding. Below are examples of his work:

>298 ChestnutPress:
>299 Nightcrawl:

I procrastinated over acquiring the vellum/parchment edition of Thoughts from the Letters of Petrarch (Petrarch Press) for several years, unusual for me. However I realized this was the first edition published by the newly revived Petrarch Press (2002 - present) under William Bentley's direction and it was the only Petrarch Press edition with remaining editions printed on vellum pages. As such, I surmised that there were probably very few of the original twenty vellum copies remaining. I have never seen a vellum edition from the Petrarch Press in the secondary market and was near-certain that once the vellum Thoughts of Petrarch went OOP it would never reappear. To avoid a painful and permanent case of Non-Buyer's Remorse, I finally acquired it earlier this month.

>299 Nightcrawl:

My reaction is identical. William Bentley and team print some of the most beautiful vellum editions I have ever seen.

>302 dlphcoracl: I have only once seen a second hand copy of the vellum Petrarch offered for sale. If I had the spare funds, I would happily own a copy as it is one of the most beautiful vellum editions I have handled.

>301 dlphcoracl: A fine collecting subset, dlph. The Trinity Rubaiyat is the one edition of that text that I wouldn't mind getting. It's really handsome!

>303 ChestnutPress:

Do you know of any other private press currently publishing vellum editions of this length?

>294 dlphcoracl: Outstanding list dlphcoracl. Bravo on the "Thoughts from the Letters of Petrarch" vellum edition. A savvy purchase as the Press is now out of stock. I debated picking up a copy for seven months, but decided to commit the funds toward acquiring The Allen Press' "Four Poems of the Occult" and a CGP special binding of "The Saga of Llywarch the Old". I'm glad the vellum found a good home and that you had a chance to pick up the "The Gospel According to Philip" as well. Let's hope we don't have to wait too long for their next project.

I am interested in your take on the third title on your list "Hard High Country Poems/The Typographic Legacy of Ludovici degli Arrighi". I purchased mine directly from Peter Koch's website and while I think the typography and layout are near to perfect, the binding leaves me flat.

>306 Sport1963:

Regarding 'Hard High Country Poems/The Typographic Legacy of Ludovici degli Arrighi' (Peter Koch Printers).......

Frankly, I was a bit underwhelmed and this is partly my fault. I failed to note that these are two small, thin octavo volumes and had been anticipating two large quarto editions. I was also expecting far more in the way of text with regard to Michelangelo's poems. Volume 1 contains a paltry selection of only 10 poems which are printed bilingual, Italian on verso page and Robert Bringhurst English translation on the recto page. The printing in Vol. 1 is excellent as is the vintage Amalfi Amatruda handmade paper. You are correct, however, in that the bindings are quite ordinary.

If you are interested in a private press edition of Michelangelo's sonnets/poems, look no further than the Allen Press edition 'Michelangelo: Sonnets', published in October 1991 toward the end of Lewis and Dorothy Allen's remarkable careers at the Allen Press. This is a quarto-size edition (11 x 7 inches) of approximately 100 pages, containing 87 sonnets. The typeface is Bembo and most of the type was set by hand. Printing was done on an Albion handpress made 1882 in Scotland on dampened Barcham Green all-rag paper. The cloth-covered binding uses a fine solid medium-brown fabric from Paris for the spine and a Fortuny brown and tan cloth print decorated with medieval-style lions. As usual, the printing quality from the Allens is flawless.

Bottom line - no comparison. The Allen Press edition is greatly preferred.

>305 dlphcoracl: None. Absolutely none! The last press I can think of that printed vellum books of any length was the Rampant Lions Press, with their two editions for Colin Franklin about 40 years back. (oh, and the vellum edition from Bromer of 'The Mystique of Vellum'!) It's understandable, as the cost of letterpress-prepared vellum is seriously high. A press would have to have deep pockets to stump up the kind of money involved. The only other edition I know of from any other press that could match a Petrarch Press edition is that which possibly Crispin Elsted suggested as a possibility several years ago when I first discussed his Ovid. At the time, he was considering a vellum printing of that. Whether it happens is another matter...

>308 ChestnutPress: "At the time, he was considering a vellum printing of that".

😯😯😯 My God!

>308 ChestnutPress: The Rampant Lions bibliography lacks an index, but using the "40 years ago" clue a quick eyeball search found

1977 The Chester Pay of the Deluge 36 pages 33 x 25.5cm, 7 copies on vellum at £750

1979 The Book of Jonah 22 pages 28 x 19cm, 8 copies on vellum at £750

1981 The Engravings of David Jones 60 pages of text and 192 pages of engravings, 32 x 24.5cm, 7 copies on vellum at £4000

1988 Poets of the Daniel Press 96 pages 25 x 16cm, 5 vellum copies not for sale (presumably for Colin Franklin)

Here are scans of the relevant pages from the bibliography

Thoughts from the Letters of Petrarch for sale. This is No. XIX of the lettered edition of 20 copies printed on vellum.

https://www.thornbooks.com/pages/books/22110/petrarch/thoughts-from-the-letters-...

>310 tim_rylance:

Thank you for your careful and informative detective work. I was unaware that 'The Engravings of David Jones' had been printed in vellum and have never seen it offered over the past decade. If any of those seven copies ever hit the market it would command a king's ransom to acquire.

A bit off of the beaten path, but I was thinking about the number of private presses that now print their editions from the iron handpress, usually a 19th century Albion. Just prior to James Freemantle starting the St. James Park Press, the only active practitioner of the iron handpress I can recall was Rollin Milroy/HM - Heavenly Monkey. Nowadays, several private presses are printing and creating marvelous handpress editions:

1. St. James Park Press (James Freemantle)
2. Plain Wrapper Press Redux (Mark E. Fischer and Richard-Gabriel Rummonds)
3. Tudor Black Press (Hugh MacFarlane)
4. HM/Heavenly Monkey (Rollin Milroy).

If there are any others that I have overlooked, please add.

>312 dlphcoracl:

£4,000 in 1981 money would be about £20,000 in 2023 money. But books from the 1970s/1980s are falling into a trough of unfashionability and inflation is not a reliable predictor of price. In fact vellum copy F of The Engravings of David Jones was sold at Bonhams in December 2019 for £8,812.50 including premium, which would suggest a bookseller price in the region of £18,000. The auction listing describes it as one of six copies printed on vellum.

Also, vellum copy C of the originally much cheaper Chester Play of the Deluge sold at Forum in July 2019 for a hammer price of £5,500 (auction listing here.)

>313 dlphcoracl:

At https://fleecepress.com Simon Lawrence says

After I retire I plan to print simply for fun under a new press imprint on an Albion at home. It sounds a little bit final, but the Fleece Press can then be celebrated perhaps, and remembered with pleasure by us all.

Something to look forward to.

>310 tim_rylance: Thanks for the scans! I love bibliographies. I thought I remembered that Ian Mortimer of I.M. Imprimit printed the vellum on his big Albion for Rampant Lions. I have a couple broadsides he did for Merivale Editions in the 70s.

OT: I saw a sheet from his "Ornamented Types" (1992) on vellum, and it was probably the greatest printing on vellum I've seen 1st hand.

>307 dlphcoracl: I must think more highly of Koch's "High Country!" The binding certainly is not elaborate, but it is not lacking. These are slim volumes that are easy to handle and read, so you can get right in there to be an active participant in comparing types/languages. The selection of poems is indeed slim. But the ones included are beautiful poems. What makes it a really special book is the reflection on typeface, type-setting, technology and print, and their impact on reading, with the use of foundry, monotype, polymer, and digital printing. There's also a nice drypoint. The accompanying "Typographic Legacy" is a wonderful meditation on the depth of something so given as the word on the page. "High Country" is definitely an artist's book, and a really good one at that. For the price, I think it's an excellent buy.

>310 tim_rylance: There's also the vellum copies of 'Printing and the Mind of Morris' from 1986.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByKFDPfhrRb/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

>309 Lukas1990: Yup. I know!

>317 DenimDan:

Well, "that's what makes a market"!!

I admit that I am a bit out of step with the consensus of private press book collectors on this one. I am not saying that I regret acquiring it, only that I was expecting a bit more. My heightened expectations were probably a bit unrealistic, contributing to my lukewarm reaction and I believe you have (inadvertently?) outlined why. It is more of a 'book about books', e.g., typography, the history of printing, etc., and less of a book about Michelangelo's sonnets. Since 'Books About Books' is clearly not my thing, hence my muted reaction to it.

>313 dlphcoracl: Others that at least sometimes use an iron handpress are:
Florin Press (Graham Williams)
Grapho Editions (Paul L Kershaw)
St Brigid Press (Emily Hancock)
Press on Scroll Road (Bob Baris)
The Old School Press (Martyn Ould)
Barbarian Press (The lovely Elsteds)

Special mention has to go to Jorge at Prelo for his use of a replica wooden handpress for all his work

>316 DenimDan: Yes, Ian did print the vellum for some of the RLP editions. That man is a master printer of extraordinary talent!

>308 ChestnutPress:
>309 Lukas1990:

If Crispin and Jan Elsted announce that they intend to print a small number of copies of Ovid's Metamorphoses on vellum pages, it will sell out faster than a deluxe Suntup Press edition (LOL!!). I certainly wish another private press other than Petrarch Press published vellum editions.

>323 dlphcoracl: It would doubtless be one of the choicest high points of their entire output!

>321 ChestnutPress:

Grapho Editions? The Old School Press?? The Barbarian Press???

WHO KNEW ?????!!!!!!! 😳😳😳

>325 dlphcoracl: I did! 🤣

>325 dlphcoracl: Oh, and Miles at The Reading Room Press is another!

>321 ChestnutPress:
>327 ChestnutPress:

Clearly, this is a wonderful time to be a collector of fine & private press books.

>318 ChestnutPress: There's also the vellum copies of 'Printing and the Mind of Morris' from 1986.

Sorry, I missed that one. Here are the bibliography pages. The description of Printing and the Mind of Morris begins on the second scan because I could not resist including the complete description of the Geoffrey Grigson lunch. Printing and the Mind of Morris has a nice story too.

>316 DenimDan: I love bibliographies.

So do I! I have sixty-eight including forty-seven fine press bibliographies. The Rampant Lions Press: A narrative catalogue is still available from Oak Knoll for $65 and there are also cheaper second-hand copies in the UK. Unlike many fine press bibliographies it is not itself a fine press book. John Randle's review (in the TLS, I think) praised the content but not the printing.

I remember being impressed by Ornamented Types at one of the early UK Fine Press fairs (1991, I suppose). I was even more impressed by the special pre-publication price.

And speaking of new acquisitions......

Andrew Moorhouse sent an e-mail indicating that his newest edition 'Grimoire - New Scottish Folk Tales' by Robin Robertson is now available for order and all binding, except for the 5 copies of the Presentation Edition, has been completed. Wonderful illustrations by Tim Robertson. The slim poetry volumes from Andrew Moorhouse and Fine Press Poetry and guilt-free pleasures. Highly recommended.

http://www.finepresspoetry.com/grimoire---robin-and-tim-robertson.html

>316 DenimDan: I saw a sheet from his "Ornamented Types" (1992) on vellum, and it was probably the greatest printing on vellum I've seen 1st hand.

On ABE, Yushodo in Tokyo list the ‘best’ copy of Ornamented Types, with eighteen vellum sheets

However, the present set has, uniquely, a third volume, consisting of eighteen superb alphabet-sheets printed - in several brilliant colours - on vellum. This is 'Set A'. (Set B contained fifteen vellum sheets; set C had four vellum sheets. Three other sets had one vellum sheet, printed in black. ) The A, B, and C were printed only one copy each.

It can be yours for a mere £22,000. Plus £12 postage, of course.

>329 tim_rylance: The Grigson book is superb. All 'tribute' books should be this interesting! That RLP bibliography is also great, in a similar 'all bibliographies should be this interesting'! I am pleased to own one of the 10 extra-deluxe copies with the selection of RLP material. I'm also very proud to feature in there twice!

>328 dlphcoracl: Just 20 years ago was cheaper, though! 🤣

But, yes, I agree. It really is, as there is some spectacular work being produced these days.

>331 dlphcoracl:
I’m (eagerly!) expecting a copy of Grimoire soon, along with a copy of Ghetto that Andrew found for me.

>335 kermaier:

Similarly, I added a copy of A Short Story of Falling by Alice Oswald to my purchase of Grimoire and Andrew Moorhouse found a spare slipcase for it. Late last year, he managed to find copies of Ghetto and Eight World's Wives by Carol Ann Duffy for me after they had been OOP for many years. Andrew is extremely diligent in fulfilling requests for his OOP books that collectors and poetry lovers may have missed first time around. Fine Press Poetry is one of my favorite private presses because:

1. Poetry collections from world class poets.
2. Splendid, sympathetic illustrations in each edition.
3. Fine, consistent book design with excellent binding from Fine Book Bindery
4. Expert letterpress printing from John Grice, one of the masters.
5. Eminently affordable pricing.

These editions are no-brainers if the poet and/or poetry are of remote interest.

>336 dlphcoracl: I agree with your thoughts on Andrew's publications. I'd slightly expand your last point and say that personal taste in poetry and/or illustration would be the only reasons why one wouldn't pick up his wonderful output.

Andrew Moorhouse's continuing efforts are to be applauded. And he's an absolute gent.

>336 dlphcoracl:
>337 ChestnutPress:

The most important aspect of Andrew Moorhouse's Fine Press Poetry is (for me) #1 - a steady diet of the finest poets in the U.K. This is not amateur hour where the private press proprietor attempts to find a 'rising star', a less-than-gifted relative or friend, or a local luminary. Every FPP edition features an award-winning poet with world-class recognition and reputation.

>335 kermaier: Andrew contacted me about Grimoire as well, hoping to secure one of the remaining deluxe editions. I also reminded him of my interest in Skeins O Geese when that comes around.

>320 dlphcoracl: I totally respect that, as I know the book beautiful is your ideal and mine is ... something way weirder. I always hold your opinions in high regard, even when we're at odds. And I really do hope you enjoy the Koch book!

Also, regarding current hand press printers: Red Butte Books at the University of Utah has printed on L & D. Allen's old 1846 Columbian, which the University might still own. Red Butte's output is definitely in the artist's books category, and they use a variety of other printing methods.

Just in from Peter Koch:

Seven Poems with One Title by Robert Bringhurst. One of 100 under the Real Lead Saloon imprint.

Also from Peter Koch and a bit fine press adjacent:

Speculum Mundi (the facsimile edition). This is a glorious production, I couldn't stretch to the letterpress edition but I would imagine that if the facsimile is anything to go by then it must be magnificent!
Carving the Elements. A Companion to the Fragments of Parmenides.

All arrived safe and sound and very speedily. 14 days from what I'm assuming is a very sunny California to a very wet and windy Wales!

>341 TheTotalLibrarian: Those 'Real Lead Saloon' publications are wonderful. Do you have the first two?

>342 ChestnutPress: Not yet. Having seen this one, I'm not ruling out buying them!

>343 TheTotalLibrarian: Both are well worth picking up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeLHvbas2Eq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVAD98xgbrp/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

>344 ChestnutPress: Thank you for sending the links. The cover on Six Poems is very attractive!

>345 TheTotalLibrarian: It certainly is. Pity the title on it is wrong, though! Still, an easy mistake to make (it's actually Six Songs)

Recent to the shelves here have been the latest little jewel from St Brigid Press:

https://www.stbrigidpress.net/books/the-angle-of-dazzle

Plus, a wonderful selection of goodies from Chad at The Last Press / Sutton Hoo Press, including a complete run of all of his superb 'Quires' printed so far, and three of his books, including this very fine edition:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpx_5NdrlHw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I cannot praise Chad's work highly enough and would humbly suggest that anyone here pick up at least a little something that he's produced, as I've yet to get my hands on something I didn't like.

>347 ChestnutPress: Good stuff, and both are presses worth highlighting.

Meant to tell you, thanks to your recent postings I looked into Mandeville Press. Placed an order for Mandeville's Travellers, which not only looks lovely, but includes Seamus Heaney's "Stone from Delphi".

>348 Shadekeep: Mandeville Press was a great private press from my hometown. While not really 'fine' press, they are very decent and worth having. The proprietors weren't setting out to be a fine press, but they did want to use good papers and traditional methods of production to make a much more pleasing item. Add in decent design, and often illustrations, and you had a nice little item in your hands. Mandeville was predominantly about creating attractive and accessible editions of great poetry, which is what you get. A couple of their editions were more 'fine press', but for the most part, they were like what you've ordered, which I'm sure you'll enjoy. I know I'm very fond of the ones I own!

The below is one of my favourites, and a rare example of them featuring an original etching (only printed in these 35 signed copies):

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31236379824&cm_sp=snippe...

I was pleased to receive a standard copy of Grimoire today, my first book from Fine Press Poetry. It's a classy book and I'm very impressed. Layout is beautifully clean, printing excellent, and the illustrations look absolutely splendid. Perhaps one of the nicest acquisitions in my short time collecting fine press books, even though it's one of the more modestly priced.

Thanks for the recommendation!

>350 GardenOfForkingPaths: It's a handsome volume, isn't it! Good purchase!!

>350 GardenOfForkingPaths:

See post >336 dlphcoracl: above.

Now that you have discovered Andrew Moorhouse and Fine Press Poetry, it is worthwhile to look through the available editions to add to your collection. If you enjoy Grimoire, Buile Suibhne by Seán Hewitt may be of interest. Look through the list of 'Sold Out' copies as well because if a particular title is of interest you can send an e-mail to Andrew requesting that he try to find a copy for you. I have done this several times and he is most accommodating and, over time, quite successful in fulfilling requests.

>351 ChestnutPress: It is! All very harmonious and well executed.

>352 dlphcoracl: Thank you, I will look into Buile Suibhne and the sold out titles. I'm out of my comfort zone when it comes to contemporary poetry, but very happy to explore!

Edit: I just found a copy of Coming Home at the published price.

>353 GardenOfForkingPaths:

"I'm out of my comfort zone when it comes to contemporary poetry."

And I am as well. I loathe the modernist trend of crafting poetry to be as deliberately obscure as possible, asking the reader to play the "guess what I am thinking" game. This is precisely why I find Andrew Moorhouse and Fine Press Poetry so appealing. These are poetry collections one can actually READ without rereading a dozen times to find the hidden, obscure meaning.

FPP 'Coming Home' = one of the best FPP poetry collections. Excellent choice.

>353 GardenOfForkingPaths:

Duplicate post - deleted.

Just ordered The Dream of the Rood, Taken from the Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon. Handset in Solemnis and Palatino Italic with multi-colored hand-colored initials throughout, taken from The Book of Kells. 8vo, polished brown calf over gilt-lettered handmade paper-covered boards, printed on English handmade paper (hope at least one page will have a watermark, so I can identify the maker). One of 150 copies made by the Carmelite nuns at St. Teresa's press, Flemington, New Jersey.

>356 Lukas1990: That's a great buy! St. Teresa's Press was very much in the same vein as their sisters across the pond at Stanbrook Abbey Press. "Dream of the Rood" has some really nice hand-colored letters, especially on the gorgeous title page.

On the paper used: colophon states "English handmade," which in 1966 (assuming the paper was somewhat contemporary) limits it to the following: Green's, Wookey Hole, Sheepstor, Aisling, Rowson, or John Mason 12x8. Almost certainly they used Green's. Wookey Hole and Sheepstor were not totally unheard of, but by far less common. Stanbrook Abbey used John Mason's paper for several pamphlets and their 1961 book "Unless the Grain Die" (and they printed one leaf for Mason's masterpiece, "More Papers Hand Made by John Mason" (Twelve by Eight Press, 1960-67). Suffice it to say that Mason's paper can be spotted a mile away!

The best overview of these handmade papers (with dozens of large samples) is Geoffrey Wakeman, "English Hand Made Papers Suitable for Bookwork" (Plough Press, 1972), a rare, beautiful (if somewhat utilitarian) book in its own right.

>357 DenimDan: Always appreciate the additional information that you provide, thank you!

I was looking for books by Mason Hill Press (there seems to be zerooo copies on the market right now) and noticed The Voice of the Prophet. Messianic Prophecies published by St. Teresa's press. I've contacted one bookseller about this title but he only replied 'Business closed'. There is one more copy for a quite ridiculous price (because of the binding):

https://www.veatchs.com/pages/books/18735/fritz-binder-eberhardt/the-voice-of-th...

I had to settle for Dream of the Rood which I got for a very good price from a US bookseller of Lithuanian heritage.

Yeah, Veatchs are out of town. They are very nice folks, and I've bought dozens of titles from them. (And they will send you a letterpress-printed birthday card with 20% for the month!) But I don't care for designer/custom bindings for any of my books, so it's not a premium I will ever pay (again).

Voice of the Prophet has come up at least a couple times in the last two years in the original bindings. I saw one on eBay of all places ~ Dec. 2020. Mason Hill books almost never come on the market. By the time I got Sofie Shneideman's catalog, I knew they'd all been bought up and that I might as well move on to something else for the next 5-10 years.

>359 DenimDan: I had the same experience with Sophie's catalogue! I bought Voice of the Prophets from Bromer in 2021. At the time, they had two copies, but both have sold.

>356 Lukas1990:
>357 DenimDan:
>360 Flaubie:

The St. Teresa's Press books are little jewels but they are extremely scarce, more so than their older sister the Stanbrook Abbey Press. However, their selections are far more interesting than the Stanbrook Abbey bibliography. Two St. Teresa's Press books that I highly recommend:

1. What Men Live By by Leo Tolstoy

2. The Heart of Christmas. Twentieth Century Christmas Stories (four different authors).

Thrymskvitha from the Windhover Press, a humorous translation of an amusing tale from the Poetic Edda. 200 copies in Bembo on Venezia paper; brown printed wraps, French fold; Icelandic on verso facing the English on the recto. Printed by the translator, Sidney Berger, and designed by Kim K. Merker. Obtained via trade.

>361 dlphcoracl: No doubt St. Teresa's selection of texts has broader appeal. Though I think Stanbrook was the better press (to be fair, the latter were productive for a lot longer, and Dame Hildelith Cumming was a legitmately great printer). Stanbrook published too much Siegfried Sassoon and Alec Robertson for my taste. But I'll recommend a couple from Stanbrook:

1. "Unless the Grain Die" (brief commentaries from Augustine and Ignatius), an absolute masterpiece of all facets of bookwork. Maybe $300

2. "The Interior Castle" (Katharine Kendall): best use of van Krimpen's Cancelleresca Bastarda outside of Leonard Baskin's Gehenna Press. $100, if that.

>363 DenimDan: Stanbrook Abbey was responsible for some of the most beautiful productions in the UK during the 60s and 70s. Stunning typography and presswork on the finest handmade papers. A personal favourite is Raissa Maritain's 'Patriarch Tree', but both those you mention are stunning.

>363 DenimDan:
>364 ChestnutPress:

No one will question the quality and beauty of the Stanbrook Abbey Press work. However, there is little in their bibliography I have found interesting enough to acquire aside from a handful of books which do include both 'Unless the Grain Die' and Raissa Maritain's 'Patriach Tree'. The others I have are:

1. The Solitary Life by Guigo
2. A Prayer of Cassiodorus translated by Thomas Merton
3. Earnest Pennies compiled by Philip Martin
4. The Path to Peace. Selected Poems by Siegfried Sassoon

Similar to DenimDan I find 'Unless the Grain Die' the most appealing of the lot. I find SAP to be one of the most frustrating private presses because so many of their books were of dubious merit from a literary point of view. Yes, yes, I know - their content is distinctly religious or religious themed as part of the mission of their private press but far more interesting religious-oriented work(s) could have been selected. 'Moods That Endure by A. Samaan-Hanna typifies my frustration with the SAP - a beautiful book filled with undistinguished poetry by an obscure Jesuit priest serving in Japan.

>363 DenimDan:

I will acquire a copy of 'The Interior Castle' by Katharine Kendall. At that price I can forego content for the beauty of this edition. Nice recommendation!

Is this now a Stanbrook Abbey thread?????

Just ordered what looks like a fine copy of Fahrenheit 451 (Limited Editions Club). I will have to stop ordering books until next year, I believe.

>367 Lukas1990:
Congratulations!

Geert at Factotum Pers has a new title out today: Die Kunst der Fuge. I've ordered a special, along with a belated request for Openbaring van Johannes.

>367 Lukas1990: Congratulations! That book is very high on my list to buy.

>369 Shadekeep: I've got the special on the way, also!

>371 ChestnutPress: Good deal, mate! Love the cover design on this one.

Since >107 ubiquitousuk: I have acquired

Pages From Presses II (Nomad Letterpress, C state). I think this is going to be a great reference book for me in the future because David Butcher has crammed an awful lot of information about seven presses into a relatively short space. The Losin paper is wonderful and we have about 130 pages of it printed exquisitely in the usual Whittington fashion. The leaves were never the main draw for me, but there's a generous variety of them here (although owners of the A and B states will have the best leaves, as well as more of them). I was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of illustrations, some two-page spreads, and at least one instance of two-colour printing among the leaves featured in my copy.

Pastorale (Whittington Press, C state) A pretty nice catalogue of engravings, some in colour, by Lucian Pissarro, along with an interesting essay on Kelmscott papers. All three states were printed on interesting antique papers with links back to Kelmscott. This C state is printed on Crown & Sceptre paper, manufactured by Batchelor's as a kind of authorised reproduction of William Moriss' preferred paper. The A and C states were printed on the real deal, albeit sheets made for use by OUP. Fortunately, samples of those two papers are to be found in the next two books…

A Book of Posters Printed at Whittington (Whittington Press, B state) A truly monumental book (~65x45cm) that is also very nicely produced. It goes straight in as one of my favourites among my entire collection. The introductory material is printed on a wonderful antique paper recovered from the OUP. This B state has a generous collection of about 25 Whittington posters with a wide variety of papers, typefaces, and relief prints on display. The vast size of the book means the posters need to fold at most once, so it's a great way to view them.

Posters From Whittington 1996–2013 (Whittington Press, B state) Another great book, but I slightly prefer the earlier posters edition. This one comes with a wrap instead of a slipcase, is smaller (meaning some posters don't fit as neatly and need to fold twice), and lacks that interesting antique paper for the textual material. But I can't fault the range of about 30 posters on display, which is perhaps even more varied than the earlier edition. And the brief commentary provided with each poster is a bit more detailed this time around.

As usual, I'll be getting round to reviewing these on my blog/YouTube channel in due course.

Some recent and recent-ish acquisitions:

The Story of the Fisherman - Foolscap Press
Brief Loves That Live Forever - Foolscap Press
Enuma Elis - No Reply Press
Maelstrom - Nawakum Press
Ten Poems with One Title - Barbarian Press

>374 CTPress-Tony: Great selection! Love the Bringhurst, and I'm eagerly awaiting my Enūma Ellis to arrive.

>373 ubiquitousuk: Some very choice additions to your collection!

A modest but nevertheless cute addition for me.

>377 BuzzBuzzard: Nice one! I like it.

I only have one item from Bieler Press myself, but it's also suitably eccentric in its way. They seemed to have a creative bend of mind in the material they choose.

>377 BuzzBuzzard: That's a lovely piece of work. Mr Lange sure could print beautifully!

A new acquisition for my shelves (which seem to be getting rather laden!!)

The Marsh. Three poems by Richard Selby, 2016.
Illustrated and letterpress printed by Nigel Davison in Perpetua on Rives Bookwhite paper and bound in Hahnermuhle Burga Butten paper and a printed dust jacket.

I see some copies are still available on ABE

https://www.abebooks.com/Marsh-Selby-Richard-Get-Point-Publications/30765281510/...

I was pleased to receive my copy of Poe's "A Descent Into The Maelstrom" from Nawakum Press. A beautiful volume with excellent choice of illustration and really lovely typographic design, in my opinion.

A few photos for anyone interested: https://imgur.com/a/eF5FkIh

>380 TudorBlackPress: That looks lovely!

>381 NathanOv: Congratulations, it's a handsome volume from what I've seen in photos.

Bought this recently:

https://www.ampersandbookstudio.com/product-page/letterpress-broadside-the-ideal...

Really classing up the joint.

Just received The Book of Jonah (Clover Hill Editions) and I am amazed of the quality of this book. That is my first book printed by Will Carter at his Rampant Lions Press and I see why he is considered a master printer. The printing is bright and clear and in perfect harmony with the woodcuts which were printed from the original woodblocks. The J. Green mouldmade paper is one of the thickest I've seen and I really like it. Finally, the book is illustrated by one of my favorite artists David Jones and the woodcuts are just stunning. Will look for more books from Rampant Lions Press.

>384 Lukas1990:

The next Rampant Lions Press (RLP) book you want, or should want, is this one:

https://booksandvines.com/2014/10/07/the-psalms-of-david-rampant-lions-press-197...

It will beautifully complement your exceptional acquisition of the Bremer Press 5-volume Biblia: Die Gantze Heilige Schrift. Contact Sebastian Carter directly to see if he has any remaining copies for sale. If so, he will sell it to you for an astonishingly low price.

The RLP Holy Grail is this edition, especially the Special Edition:

https://booksandvines.com/2012/02/22/the-story-of-cupid-and-psyche-the-rampant-l...

https://www.librarything.com/topic/315984#7050215

>385 dlphcoracl:

Thoroughly endorse the Psalms recommendation, but it's Sebastian Carter, not Will, who is the contact.

>386 affle: That is correct, as I have recently ordered the book myself from Sebastian, thanks to a recommendation by Griffin. Here's the link again of all remaining Rampant Lions stock, I've picked up a few items from them over the years.

http://www.rampantlionspress.com/Available_stock.html

>386 affle:

So noted and corrected. Lukas would have to conduct a seance to purchase the book from Will. If still available, the Psalms of David is an outright theft at 175 GBP.

Thank you all for recommendations and links.

Received my standard copy of Angel Bomb's Who Goes There?. Very, very nice, as expected, but I have one wish and one gripe:
Wish: That the book had any sort of title, whether directly stamped or paper label, on the spine.
Gripe: The printed paper belly-band -- why?? Now I have a special piece of the publication that cannot be stored on the book (unless I plan never to read it, nor to cover it with a mylar jacket), and cannot be discarded (without causing anguish to my collector's soul)! I suppose I could press it completely flat and add it to my cache of other fine press ephemera, but that seems wrong as well.

>390 kermaier: For what it's worth, the belly-band slid on and off my copy fairly easily numerous times throughout reading without any noticeable damage. I think you can simply leave it on the book, as I assume the publisher intended.

>390 kermaier:

Press it flat and place it inside the front cover, as I did.

>391 NathanOv: The cloth of the binding feels relatively soft, and I think repeatedly sliding the belly-band on and off will likely cause furring/pilling of the surface. (Not to mention that the paper of the band will, most assuredly, tear at some point.)

>392 dlphcoracl: Not a terrible solution, but it will certainly cause a twinge to deliberately leave it in non-original condition. :-)

>389 Lukas1990: One thing that strikes me about all the Rampant Lions books I own is how consistent the printing is from page to page. Some of the books I have received from some modern presses can seem very variable in comparison. Maybe some degree of inconsistency is all part of the charm (?), and I guess it depends on which letterpress method is employed, but it's just something I noticed as a newcomer.

EDIT: Also, I'll give a shout out for The Putney Debates - if the subject matter and content appeals. I really like the linocuts.

>393 kermaier: Well, I can attest that it caused no issues for my copy, but I understand the concern.

You could also do as I do for books that really shouldn't have dust jackets, and place it over another similarly sized book for easy storage. I know the dimensions on this one are a bit odd though.

>395 GardenOfForkingPaths: I have to concur here. The Agamemnon of Aeschylus is the most evenly printed book in my collection, so much so that one might think it offset.

As for recommendations, The Unknown Masterpiece is very nice and a steal at the regular edition pricing. In Praise of Letterpress is a good collection of broadsides, though Sebastian was running low on these so it may be difficult to get now.

>395 GardenOfForkingPaths: I found the same perfect consistency in The Apocrypha (printed by Curwen press for Cresset press).

I agree that the linocuts in The Putney Debates loom great. Wish there were more of them.

>397 Shadekeep: Agreed on The Unknown Masterpiece. I don't have the Aeschylus only because I have it in another edition, but at £20 it certainly took some restraint not to add it to the order.

>398 Lukas1990: That's true, though it is a pretty short book, I'd always vote for one or two more illustrations!

OK, I am enabled. Don't want to have regrets in the future, so I sent an inquiry on The Unknown Masterpiece and Psalms of David. I read the former online a couple of years ago and it was very thought-provoking. Wish I could afford this version, illustrated by Picasso haha:

https://www.prphbooks.com/20c/picasso-balzac

>395 GardenOfForkingPaths: one more data point in support of RLP's consistency. In my example of Weeds and Wild Flowers the printing of both the text and of Mackley's intricate wood engravings is flawless from front to back.

Delighted to pick up two Incline Press specials from the second-hand market which arrived today.

1. Gunnar Brusewitz. The Amazing Miss Brooke. One of 50 of the 75 specials (out of a total edition of 250) signed by the translators. Complete with the little packet of stamps in the back. I do love a book with stamps in. See also my recent purchases from The Fleece Press of 103 Not Out and, Think of it as a Poster. Any other fine press books with stamps in them out there?

2. Sven Ljungberg. Parvus. One of 30 copies with the extra suite of prints bound in at the back of the book.

Pretty much run out of superlatives to describe my recent run of fine press purchases!

Recent additions to my bookcase:

Lost Tales VI - Pegana Press
Enuma Elis - No Reply Press
A Scandal in Bohemia - No Reply Press
A Descent into the Maelstrom - Nawakum Press
Stone from Delphi - Arion Press

I'm really surprised that anyone on this forum should only just be discovering Rampant Lions Press. For nearly 80 years, the Carter's consistently produced some of the best work out there!

>404 ChestnutPress: Young collector here. Started collecting just two years ago. I have been aware of the press since then but was focused on the more mainstream Limited Editions Club etc. Now it's time to get some specimens from Rampant Lions Press as long as my modest budget allows.

>404 ChestnutPress: I have a few of their works but not the Psalms of David. I had been online the night before trying to look at some of the older works to try and discover which were the highlights, so I found the recommendation very helpful!

ETA: Another work I was able to add was The Rampant Lions Press: A narrative catalogue (2013) the special edition. Last year Sebastian said that he still had two copies of this, so there might be one left.

>395 GardenOfForkingPaths: Inconsistent printing is one reason I am disinclined to purchase from a lot of contemporary presses. There's no excuse for poor printing, especially if the publisher is charging hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. Inking and registration should be as close to perfect as one can get. That some people call some of these books "masterpieces" or "works of art" without seeing the text blows my mind. What they're talking about are fancy bindings and nice materials, which don't really have anything to do with printing. Rampant Lions was one of the best English presses of the late 20th c. Their books are great because they were superlative printers with good design and layout.

>404 ChestnutPress: I think we've got something of a run happening on Rampant Lions at the moment, thanks to increased discussion. A similar thing happened a while back with Gruffyground, when Anthony was brought to the attention of the forum and we all rushed to get his stuff.

>401 ubiquitousuk: Beautiful. From your pictures, the printing does look flawless. The Japanese paper used for the covers looks lovely too.

>407 DenimDan: Interesting. I appreciate your thoughts - it helps me calibrate my expectations a bit!

>405 Lukas1990: Fair play, Lukas! There are so many great volumes of theirs to get, many of which aren't wallet breakers. I would suggest the two 'Miscellany' books
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GFApFhJGD/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

'A Printer’s Dozen'
https://www.instagram.com/p/B02tnvthUgl/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

'Vegetable Gardening' (I know it might sound crap, but it's hugely entertaining, beautifully illustrated, and is easily my favourite RLP book!).
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx1djmzBC7K/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Their edition of 'Areopagitica'
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2oFVuRBhxO/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

'Root and Sky' is also an extraordinary volume that always pops up on ebay for bafflingly low amounts, and is well worth picking up for the illustrations alone.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDx9o9dBuJ9/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

When you feel flush, 'Four Quartets', Weeds and Wild Flowers' and 'The Mountains' are some absolute beauties!

>406 DMulvee: That special of the RLP Narrative Catalogue is a good purchase. I hope you get 'The Psalms', as it's a beautiful volume. I've just replied to another message on here with some suggestions of RLP titles that I feel are particularly fine.

This MUST be the last for a while... Just ordered The Book Of Tobit (Raven Press, 1931).

Another bookseller provides a description: "The first book produced by Horace Bray (illustrator) and Robert Maynard after they left the Gregynog Press to start up the Raven Press. This has the same production values (and quality illustration) as top Gregynog Press editions, such as the Life of David (1927)".

Not sure about that statement (the said bookseller also has a copy of Life of David for sale so he had the possibility to compare) but it sure has some similarities in appearance with Life of David which is one of the most beautiful books for me.

"For the Occasion of Death" (Windhover, 1981), from K.K. Merker's library. Probably one of the two smallest Merker books I have (it's 16mo). It's got everything you'd want in one of his books: beautiful design, perfect printing, nice Amalfi paper. He even uses some cool ornaments/ punctuation in red ink, which is a very nice touch. It's a steal and I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in Merker's work.

Also had to get a new copy of "Cooking the Books: Ron King and Circle Press" (Yale, 2002), as my first one was essentially worn out, which happens to a lot of my bibliographies!

One of the fastest arrivals ever from USA.

Edit: sad it got a bit dinged on the lower left corner. Can't believe how poorly these booksellers pack their books.

>413 DenimDan: I need a copy of Robert the Devil. It's a must. Am I right that the regular edition is absolutely the same except for the signatures and hand-coloured illustrations?

>415 Lukas1990: That's correct: Roxanne Sexauer (who did the woodcuts) hand-coloured and signed the special editions. Merker said that this way, he was able to create the artificial limitation of the deluxe copies, which was his way of paying her a decent sum for the all the work she'd done. I've seen both versions, and I actually prefer the standard edition without the colouring. It's quite an imaginative production, and Merker noted that it posed several layout challenges. But just as he almost always did, he found a way to make the book work beautifully. I highly recommend it!

>415 Lukas1990: I've got a copy of that coming from one of Merker's daughters and it's the uncolored one. Looking forward to it. She's also sending Master Peter Patelan.

>417 Shadekeep: There's another copy also from Merker on Ebay with some of the original woodblocks. It goes for ~1400 USD. I will definitely buy the regular edition in the future. It checks all my boxes. BTW, is it printed with a handpress?

>414 Lukas1990: Having a ridiculous conversation with the seller. He admits he packed the book poorly because of some environmental issues and also claims he didn't charge me additional shipping costs (though he could have informed me about it before sending the book and I could have dully paid or refused to pay and opt for standart shipping). Another point is that the bookseller had some offers from US which he refused because of my order (not sure what was meant with this one, actually).

Sorry, for the spam, but it is very frustrating and maybe some fellow members have advice etc. I asked for a 20% refund.

>419 Lukas1990: You’re too humble. Demand 50% or return. Did you buy through eBay or Abe?

>420 originaux: Biblio. I don't want to return the book as it is too much time for me and I am not 100% sure if the book gets lost en route etc. Looks like a minor damage but still...

Ok. Demand 50 and settle for 20…

>418 Lukas1990: Not certain, as I don't have the book in hand yet. But I suspect both Robert the Devil and Master Peter Patelan very likely are, since they are under the Windhover imprint. I suspect SuttonHooPress, Glacierman, or ChestnutPress could say for sure, as they seem very knowledgeable on all things Merker related.

>418 Lukas1990:

The book colophon does not mention how it was printed.

A number of Merker title listings from booksellers reference the book Printing and the Mind of Merker: A Bibliographical Study. It's quite possible further details are available there, if anyone has it at hand.

>423 Shadekeep: Kim really blew his rotator cuffs early on with the handpress. I would bet those later books were done on the Vandercooks.

>423 Shadekeep: Almost positive he used the Vandercook on those two, and they're both excellent works of his.

>426 SuttonHooPress: Thanks! I figured you would know. ^_^

A few arrivals in the past week, Only the printer knows (A version - wow!), and Tonge's travels from the Old School Press. Maelstrom from Nawakum (deluxe) and a couple of buys from a second hand book shop - The Holkham Bible and Rime of the Ancient Mariner both limited editions from the Folio Society. I was surprised when seeing how impressive Rime was in person.

Those who have purchased the Nawakum Maelstrom, is it worth the price for such a short book (~35 pages)?

>430 ultrarightist: I think it is a beautiful production, however I didn’t love the story so not sure it is one I would re-read

>426 SuttonHooPress: Do I remember correctly that a young Merker essentially caught Harry Duncan's press as it was falling over?

In Berger's bibliography, I think the last book Merker mentioned specifically as being printed on the handpress was "Forked Branches" by Ezra Pound (Windover, 1985), and he said that one took him 2 1/2 years. "Forked Branches" was also the second biggest book he handprinted, after "The Collected Poems of Weldon Kees" (1960). I'm sure he probably printed something on the handpress after 1985; I just don't know which specifically.

Two new arrivals:

Our Lady Of The Three-Pronged Devil (Red Ozier Press) - My first from this press. The subject matter sounds fascinating, and the original owner clearly cherished the work. It's in a custom acetate wrapper and housed in a bespoke slipcase. The book itself is in pristine condition, as you might expect.

The Psalms of David (Rampant Lions Press) - Not much to add to the discussion of this title here already, except that I really like the somewhat eccentric typeface pairing going on in it. I'll add to the chorus here saying that if you don't have it and can still get it, by all means do.

>432 DenimDan: I don't know that story, DenimDan, but I would believe it. I do know that Kim bought his Washington from a newspaper. He offered them $150 and when they countered he turned on his heel and started walking away; they called him back and agreed. He told me It was on the Kees he blew his shoulders I think he tried to get guys from the football team to help yank the toggle, and they were ineffective.

I had wanted that Pound book in the worst way and finally found one in Minneapolis that I could afford--faded spine, but a copy I could use.

When I was at Iowa, 89-90, I tried to get him to show me how to print with the Washington, but all I got were doubtful looks, so I brought him "something exquisite" from the coffee shop and settled for one of his cigarettes.

>434 SuttonHooPress: "When I was at Iowa, 89-90, I tried to get him to show me how to print with the Washington, but all I got were doubtful looks, so I brought him "something exquisite" from the coffee shop and settled for one of his cigarettes."

Seems like a paltry return on investment.

Adding a Cummington Press title to my library:

Stephen Berg. Bearing Weapons. Iowa City: Cummington Press, 1963. 250 copies, printed by Harry Duncan from Cloister Old Style on Tovil paper.

Two new acquisitions from Geert at Factotum Pers. The first is his latest production, Die Kunst der Fuge. This is the special edition of the chapbook with stiff cover.



The other is one of his earlier works, Openbaring van Johannes. This is a big (over 17" tall) and absolutely beautiful book, full of Durer prints and splendid letterpress. It doesn't matter that I can't read much Dutch when a book is this fine. The textured image on the cover is wonderful, too. Honestly, this is another criminally underpriced fine press book.

I just received, from Andrew Moorhouse at Fine Press Poetry, my first two of his books: A deluxe copy of his most recent book, Grimoire, along with a copy of the out-of-print Ghetto that Andrew graciously found for me, and had signed by the Longleys. Both are beautifully printed on Zerkall mould-made, and really (really!) finely bound in quarter leather over cloth, in cloth-covered slipcases. I can't overstate the bargain these books are, given the materials and craftsmanship they exhibit, in the current arena of fine press publishing.

>437 Shadekeep: Nice!
Is the paper of Kunst der Fuge identified in the colophon? I couldn’t find anything on their website.

>439 SebRinelli: Here's a snap of the colophon. If I'm reading it correctly, the specials are printed on Khadi handmade paper, and the regulars on Zerkall Butten. Both great choices, I feel.

>440 Shadekeep: Thank you
Khadi handmade looks like a beautiful paper! Interesting that the printer achieves such a deep impression on a Hannover, presumably without printing damp

While waiting for several major books which (hopefully!) will arrive between April to June, e.g., James Freemantle's '1984', the Nomad Letterpress/Whittington Press 'Pages from Presses II', the Barbarian Press 'The Marriage of True Minds', etc., I have been nibbling at the edges acquiring less elaborate and/or less well known items, with three notable (major) exceptions:

Major:

1. The Lady or the Tiger/The Discourager of Hesitancy by Frank Stockton, HM (Heavely Monkey). Anything from Rollin Milroy and HM is worth serious consideration and this one hit all the marks for me, especially the illustrations by Walter Bachinski of Shanty Bay Press.

2. The Vampire Cat of Nabeshima (deluxe edition), Cordes Press. Printed by James Freemantle on his Albion handpress. This book was well received last year at the March 2022 Oxford Fine Press Fair.

3. Poems by Siegfried Sassoon, Marlborough College Press, 1958. A splendid offering from Michael Taylor's most recent list (Fourteenth Little List). This press (1934-1984) did several beautiful editions using an Albion handpress and, at that time, John Randle was a junior member of the press involved in this printing prior to beginning his own Whittington Press. This is the special copy in full dark blue leather binding printed on heavy Millbourn paper, initialed by Sassoon.

Minor (relatively speaking):

1. Areopagitica by John Milton, Deighton, Bell & Co., 1973. Standard cloth-bound edition designed and printed by Sebastian Carter at the Rampant Lions Press.

2. The Ship of Sounds by John Fuller, Gruffyground Press, 1981. One of only 5 special copies (total edition of 130) printed for Anthony Baker by the Plain Wrapper Press, i.e., Richard-Gabriel Rummonds using a 19th century Albion handpress, with dark green full morocco binding by James Brockman.

3. Forked Branches by Ezra Pound, Windhover Press, 1985. Another superb book from the late, great Kim Merker and one of the most substantial with 16-page introduction and 85 text pages, expertly printed on Rives Heavy, a French mould-made paper.

4. Everything That Has Been Shall Be Again: The Reincarnation Fables of John Gilgun by John Gilgun, Bieler Press, 1981.

5. Grimoire and A Short History of Falling, Andrew Moorhouse/Fine Press Poetry.

6. A Country Boy by Ronald Blythe, Tern Press, 2004. Seven short stories by Blythe from the criminally underrated Tern Press.

7. The Interior Castle by Katherine Kendall, Stanbrook Abbey Press, 1968.

I couldn't control myself and ordered a set of Whole Works of Homer, Shakespeare Head Press. The covers are worn but I can't complain as the price I paid is very low. The illustrator John Farleigh has been uknown to me before. I really like his classical illustrations. Time to learn some ye olde English.

>443 Lukas1990: lofdædum sceal
in mægþa gehwære man geþeon.

>444 SuttonHooPress: Hwæt. We Gardena in geardagum,
þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.

>445 Glacierman: Ha, ha--exactly what I say to students who call Shakespeare "Old English"!

>445 Glacierman: how do you type the 'eth' and the 'thorn'?

>447 SuttonHooPress: I cheated. That was a cut-and-paste! But the full Arial font has a crapload of special characters available. I could have used the Windows Character Map to individually insert them where needed. It was just quicker to cut/paste the whole section from a website I was able to quickly locate.

So I can type archæology and Æneas, like in the old days, before typewriters and computers.

Hahaha! Everything that isn't modern English is old English to me.

>449 Lukas1990: It's a beautiful language and not hard to learn. The passage I quoted was meant as encouragement: "Men shall prosper, in each of tribes, by glorious deeds." You can do it!

>449 Lukas1990: It is a beautiful language and not hard to learn. The passage I quoted was meant as encouragement: "In each of tribes, men shall prosper by glorious deeds." You can do it!

>450 SuttonHooPress: Thank you!

I'm a new book collector and recently acquired Sebastian Van Storck published by Dodd, Mead and Company with beautiful illustrations by Alastair. I first saw Alastair's illustrations in the Black Sun Press's Dangerous Liaisons. I haven't found much info on Dodd, Mead & co but the book has nice deckled pages and is letter pressed.

Just ordered Three Erfurt Tales 1497-1498. Translated into English by Dr. Arnold H. Price with an introduction by Lessing J. Rosenwald, Bird & Bull Press, 1962.

The German bookseller emailed me that he still can't find the book in his premises. Hope, he'll find it. :D

Edit: He found it! I wonder why the book is relatively pricey compared to some other books by the press, say The Babylonian Anthology which is also printed on handmade paper, has a Sangorski and Sutcliffe binding and more pages. A book with some post-medieval tales is not a sci-fi classic after all.

This will be my last order this year, I hope.

Aesopus, Vita et Fabulae, Potsdam, Müller & Co, 1922. This is a facsimile of an Aesopus printed by Günther Zainer in Augsburg around 1477/78. One of only 235 copies, printed on hand-made paper by Hahnemühle using the Officina Serpentis hand-presses. Blind-embossed full-leather binding on wooden boards. More than 200 hand-coloured woodcuts!

>455 Lukas1990:
I think you said that last week!

>455 Lukas1990:

LOL!!

I acquired a copy of this outstanding facsimile last year although my edition is slightly different. It is titled simply 'Esopus' but it is also published by Potsdam, Muller & Co. On a page in the rear of the book it notes: 'Die Incunable in ihren hauptwerkten' or loosely translated, 'The incunable in their main works'. The Officina Serpentis had planned on printing a series of incunable editions and this was the second volume in their series.

Similar to your copy, mine is printed on handmade Hahnemühle paper (Nos. 1 - 30 deluxe copies were printed on handmade paper from I.W. Zanders) using the hand-press with 200 hand-coloured woodcut illustrations. My binding is also full pigskin leather over thick wooden boards with extensive blind embossing on both front and rear covers and five thick bands on the spine. I will post a few photos of my copy later today.

This is one of those rare facsimiles that really isn't a facsimile in the manner we usually think of them since it was not reproduced photographically. In this regard, it is similar to the great Officina Bodoni editions which published several editions of books with medieval woodcuts, had these woodcuts recarved by master wood engraver Bruno Bramanti, then printed these books on the hand-press and reprinted the woodcut illustrations directly from the newly carved wooden blocks. The most famous OB example of this is their edition of 'The Holy Gospel' but they also did this with 'The Nymphs of Fiesole', 'A Comedy of Terence Called Andria' and 'The Little Passion with poems of the first edition of 1511 by Benedictus Chelidonus Musophilus'. The latter two editions both feature famous Albrecht Dürer sets of wood engravings.

P.S. My Hahnemühle handmade paper has an unusual watermark on it which may have been used in the original incunabula of 1477/1478. It appears to show a man sitting in a yoga-like pose with arms outstretched around two objects, perhaps a stone tablet or shield in his right arm and a spoked wheel in his left arm and hand. This will be shown in one of the photographs.

>455 Lukas1990:
Pr(Lukas1990 buys no more books in 2023 | current month is April) → 0.

Esopus (facsimile of the work by Günther Zainer in Augsburg 1477/78), printed by the Officina Serpentis for Potsdam, Muller & Co., 1922.

Photo #1



Photo #2



Photo #3



Photo #4 Frontispiece



Photo #5 Opening page / Page One



Photo #6



Photo #7



Photo #8 Unusual watermark



Photo #9



Photo #10



Photo #11 Colophon

>456 GusLogan:, >458 ubiquitousuk: :) :) :)

>457 dlphcoracl:, >459 dlphcoracl: Our copies are probably the same. But the title on the front board is more old looking in my copy (see photo). I've ordered the book today, so it will be a couple of weeks until I receive it and can inspect it.

It is interesting that there are some uncolored copies too. I would have assumed only the deluxe copies were colored, but this is not the case as our regular copies prove. Very excited about the book. It will compliment my other beautiful copies, including the Officina Bodoni Andria that you mentioned.

>460 Lukas1990:

There were two editions of this 1922 Esopus facsimile - the deluxe edition with full pigskin leather embossed binding and hand-coloured woodcuts and a standard version with half leather binding and paper over boards, without the hand-coloured woodcuts. See links.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=11066740195&clickid=3CXSes...

https://www.zvab.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31153774789&clickid=3CXSesTbPx...

>455 Lukas1990: Just keep repeating that first sentence to yourself Lukas1990.

I've tried, and it hasn't worked for me.

>455 Lukas1990: The likelihood of this being your last order this year is practically zero. I expect you won't make it to the end of the week before your 'habit' has you fidgety... 😁👍🏻

>459 dlphcoracl: The two elements in the watermark at right and left look like two shields with some emblematic device in each.

>464 kermaier:

I think you are correct.

>465 dlphcoracl: The emblem on the right hand shield looks like the helm wheel of a ship. The left hand side shield looks like it has two six-pointed stars on the upper half, with perhaps a bearskin on the lower....

I've been fortunate to recently add the following titles to my collection:
1. Jones, Glyn - The Saga of Llywarch the Old - Golden Cockerel Press, 1955. One of 60 specially bound copies.
2. Goll, Yvan – Four Poems of the Occult – Allen Press, 1962.
3. Bible – Ecclesiasticus – Ashendene Press, 1932.
4. Malory, Sir Thomas – Le Morte Darthur – Shakespeare Head Press, 1933. Bound in full brick-red morocco.
5. Ridland, John (tr) – Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – La Mano Press, 2013. One of a small number of copies (20) issued with the La Mano Press
imprint instead of Taller Martín Pescador.
6. Caxton, William (tr) – The Noble Knight Paris and the Fair Vienne – Allen Press, 1956.
7. Butcher, David – The Stanbrook Abbey Press, 1956–1990 – Whittington Press, 1992. One of 17 specially bound copies in full inlaid oasis leathers.

Just picked up a copy of "The Name Book" by Joe Napora (Landlocked Press, 1984), a book of poems, illustrated by Katherine Kuehn (who published as Salient Seedling Press, even as a student). Ed. of 250 handset in foundry Méridien (designed by Adrian Frutiger for Deberny & Peignot). The poetry concerns the Ohio Valley and its colonization, as Napora attempts to give voice to the land's native peoples, almost entirely erased from memory. Concertina binding in Canson Mi-Tientes wrappers. Nice publication from this Madison, Wisconsin press, which had a variety of connections to Walter Hamady (who, per the colophon, sold them the type "for a song") and his Perishable Press. Not bad for $30!

>467 Sport1963: What a great list of pickups! "The Noble Knight Paris" from the Allen Press is very nice volume, one of my favorites of theirs (along with Montaigne's "Essays") before their move to France. I'd love to see that Standbook Abbey Press deluxe-deluxe binding, and the original leaves that came with yours.

>467 Sport1963: Did you Rob a bank this month? 🤣

>467 Sport1963:

"When you're hot, you're hot 🔥🔥🔥 - and when you're not, you're not."

Congratulations on a magnificent haul.

>469 ChestnutPress: I'll be taking a bit of a break...that is for sure.

This group is useful for pointing out nice buying opportunities but the downside is my friends on the board might purchase the book first. Being slow to the chase I only managed to get the C variant for the Old School Press Only the Printer Knows but it’s still a nice edition worth picking up. Also slow in looking at the Rampant Lions Press available stock. I was able to pick up the incredibly low priced Agamemnon and the very nice deluxe edition of The Unknown Masterpiece. Along with the Foolscap Press April Fools offering a fun couple of days at our house.

>472 kdweber: Version C of 'Only the Printer Knows' is still a fine piece to pick up. It's a handsome edition and no less so for not having the various specimen sheets and ephemera that came with the A and B special copies. It's am interesting read about my favourite book from the Press. The real prize isn't so much having the specials but having the book it discusses! 😁

The package from Corvus Works arrived, with a new title and three others.

Typographic Environments
A Plea Against Standardisation
Shakespearian Punctuation
The Skeul Board Man

The last was kindly added in by Christopher. Pleased with all the titles, and Typographic Environments is another especially strong work, both in the printing and in the design. Christopher is another printer who is growing in technique and creativity with each title.