[Fleece Press] Wright, John Buckland; Christopher Buckland Wright

Endeavours and Experiments: John Buckland Wright's Essays in Woodcut and Colour Engraving together with other blocks remaining in his studio

Upper Denby, Huddersfield: Fleece Press, 2004. Hard Cover. Deluxe Edition. 45 of 54 deluxe copies which include two tipped-in color prints and a signed loose print of Cafe Dansant No. 2. Laid in is a signed typed letter from printer Simon Laurence on his letterhead dated October 12th, 2003. This the fourth book in the John Buckland Wright series printed by the Fleece Press. It contains the “free” or autonomous prints not published in the previous volumes including book illustrations, commercial work and designs for cards, announcements and publishers’ marks. It addition it features a descriptive account of all the rejected and unfinished blocks in the studio. A description and printed examples of Wright’s experiments with color which culminated in two engravings “The Blue Dress” (1952) and “The Red Room” (1952) are also included; Wright died before completely finishing the latter. Before the printing of this book, neither of these engravings had been editioned. A print of Wright’s larger wood engraving, Cafe Dansant No. 2 (1930) accompanies several of the volumes in this series including this one. Fine in quarter vellum with patterned paper boards and gilt title to spine. Pristine interior with many tipped-in illustrations, some of which are in color. Printed in Modern No. 7 type set at Whittington by Peter Sanderson on Magnani Avorio Biblos paper and bound by Smith Settle. The tipped-in reproductions were printed in Sheffield by J.W. Northend Fine Print. The print and book are housed in a fine orange cloth clamshell box with paper title label to spine. 71 pages. PRI/122409. Fine.

Stokes, Hugh; Frank Brangwyn (woodcuts); Paul Lambotte (introduction)

Belgium

London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Truebner, & Co, 1916. Hard Cover. Number 56 of 160 copies. Signed by the illustrator. The deluxe version of a very popular book designed to celebrate the landmarks, culture, and people of Belgium, which was under German occupation at the time of production. The introduction by Paul Lambotte, the Director of the Belgian Ministry of Sciences and Arts, is printed in French with no translation. All other text is in English. Includes 52 magnificent woodcut illustrations by Frank Brangwyn. Very good in full vellum boards with gilt title to spine and blue ribbon ties. Slight warping to boards as is common with vellum. Light rubbing to boards and spine. Subtle toning to margins, else clean and bright. Printed in red and black with head and tail pieces, full page illustrations, and initials. 144 pages. An attractive production. TRA/042513. Very Good.

[Whittington Press] O'Connor, John

The English Scene

Whittington Press, 2003. Hard Cover. The Whittington Press was founded in 1971 by John and Rosalind Randle to print and publish books by letterpress.  Since its beginnings, they have printed some 200 books, included the renowned Matrix, an annual review for printers and bibliophiles.  The Press has received numerous awards for its printing and publishing, most recently in 2009 from the American Printing History Association.  92 of 200 copies, initialed by the artist. A collection of early and largely unknown wood engravings by English artist, John O’Connor (1913 - 2004). Graduate of the Royal College of Art and later head of the Colchester School of Art, O’Connor created engravings for several fine presses including the Golden Cockerel Press and the Whittington Press. His introduction of color to wood-engravings by overprinting with colored linocuts was somewhat of a revolution to a process which was traditionally black and white. Just after this book went to the press, John requested “that colour should be introduced into as many of the blocks as possible.” The artist’s son immediately began to create color proofs utilizing his father’s “loose fitting colour” technique of overprinting with linocuts and inking the engravings directly. Pleased with the proofs, John approved them but died before the book was finished being printed. Aware of his failing health, he initialed the colophon page before the text was printed. Alongside each print is text of the artist’s recollections for each image, which was recorded during an interview conducted by his son and the printer of this book, John Randle. Fine in red cloth with rose paper covered boards featuring a floral print by John O’Connor on both covers. Gilt title to spine. Pristine with 33 full page illustrations, many of which are printed in color for the first time. Printed in Bell type on Fabriano and Hahnemuhle Ingres and Oxford cream laid papers. Housed in a near fine cloth and paper covered slipcase with light wear to the edges. Unpaginated. Fine.

[Yellow Barn Press] Hoover, Herbert; Will Irwin (foreword); John Depol (illustrations)

A Boyhood in Iowa

Council Bluffs: The Yellow Barn Press, 1986. John Depol. Hard Cover. 23 of 125 copies. The book includes a foreword by Will Irwin and two speeches by Hoover: "An Informal Address before the Iowa Society of Washington" and "A Return to Boyhood Scenes." Fine in tan cloth backed patterned paper covered boards with paper title pastedown to spine. Pristine interior illustrated with seven charming woodcuts by John Depol, who also designed the patterned paper for the cover. Includes laid-in errata slip signed by the printer, Neil Shaver and original publication announcement for this book. Printed on Rives paper in Monotype Baskerville. 34 pages. PRI/081208. Fine.