Enablement: Good Deals on Private Press Books

Bromer Booksellers in Boston has acquired a large and impressive private press book collection from someone who was particularly interested in Arion Press and Allen Press books. Nearly all of these books that have already been listed on their website are in fine condition. I will do the heavy lifting for you (this time) and cherrypick what I believe to be the listings with excellent prices for selected books.

Note: I have no affiliation or relationship with Bromer Booksellers.

1. La Porte de Maletroit by R.L. Stevenson, Allen Press (1952) - $200.

2. Michelangelo: His Sonnets. Allen Press (1991) - $250.

3. Don Quixote (2 vols.) by Miguel de Cervantes, Arion Press (2009-2010) - $2,750. One of the high
points of the Arion Press over the past two decades and the only private press edition with the
outstanding modern translation by Edith Grossman.

4. Dubliners by James Joyce, Limited Editions Club (1986) - $375.

5. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Limited Editions Club (1984) - $100.

6. Tears and Wine by Elio Vittorini, Yolla Bolly Press (2001) - $350. This was the final YB
publication following the sudden death of founder James Robertson. Surprisingly scarce.

7. The Splendour of a Morning by C.P. Cavafy, Barbarian Press (2016). A generous collection
of Cavafy's poetry. $350.

8. The Nachman Stories by Leonard Michaels, Arion Press (2009). $300.

9. My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir, Yolla Bolly Press (1988) - $800. One of the high
points of the YB bibliography and extremely scarce.

10. Dard Hunter & Son by Dard Hunter II & Dard Hunter III, Bird & Bull Press (1998) - $650. A
superb book filled with numerous tipped-in specimens honoring the man who made historic
contributions to the history of handmade papermaking around the world over many
centuries.

11. Mirrour of the World by William Caxton, Allen Press (1964) - $400. A major Allen Press
book.

12. The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol, Officina Bodoni (1975) - $450. One of the OB books printed
by Giovanni (Hans ) Mardersteig on the hand press. Gorgeous and very well-priced. If you
are unfamiliar with the high end Officina Bodoni books this is a wonderful introduction.

13. The Captivity Narrative of Hannah Duston, Arion Press (1987) - $350.

14. Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot, Rampant Lions Press (1996) - $550. Folio-sized book with
superb handmade paper and flawless letterpress printing by Sebastian Carter. Gorgeous.

15. Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell, Arion Press (2009) - $300. An overlooked gem of American
literature from the late 1950's illustrated with 68 very innovative and appropriate
photocollages by renowned photographer Laurie Simmons.

16. Ecclesiastes, in the King James Translation of the Bible. With Drawings by Ben Shahn,
engraved in wood by Stefan Martin. Calligraphy by David Soshensky. Spiral Press (1965).
$200.

17. Stone from Delphi by Seamus Heaney, Arion Press (2012) - $600. A collection of classically-
themed poetry by Heaney with well-matched classical illustrations by Wendy Artin.
Beautiful book that is exceptionally well priced.

18. Flight by John Steinbeck, Yolla Bolly Press (1984) - $200.

19. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen, Arion Press (2017) - $500.

20. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, Arion Press (2012) - $400.

21. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, Arion Press (1983) - $500. Slipcase label has
minor flaws but book is in fine condition and is very well priced.

22. Call It Sleep by Henry Roth, Arion Press (1995) - $450.

23. Tono Bungay by H.G. Wells, Arion Press (2008) - $400.

24. The Works of Shakespeare. The text of the First Folio with Quarto variants and a
selection of modern readings: edited by Herbert Farajon. 1929-1933. Seven octavo
volumes. $1,250. One of the most beautifully printed and bound sets of the complete
works of Shakespeare in the modern private press movement. The text is highly readable
with considerable scholarship in its modernization. Printed at the Cambridge University
Press at its peak and bound in full tan niger morocco by A.W. Bain. If you have ever
wanted a truly outstanding edition of the complete works of Shakespeare, look no further. I
own this set and it is my go-to reading copy.

>1 dlphcoracl: Looking at their whole catalogue I’d also add the Arion Gatsby and Tristram Shandy are both nicely priced as well. The Gatsby especially at 950 dollars. If I didn’t hate that book so very very much I would purchase it myself.

The Quixote is tempting me, as does the Rampart Lions Eliot (I don't know much about this press, but the more I see the more I like). As for the rest, I own Tears and Wine, Dubliners and Metamorphosis, all of which are very worthy additions to one's library.

Thanks for pointing these listings out, >1 dlphcoracl:.

>3 gmacaree:

I am traveling today and cannot take and post photos. I own a copy of the Rampant Lions Press 'Four Quartets' and it is an exceptional edition. Sebastian Carter, his father, and the Rampant Lions Press did some of the finest presswork in the U.K. and Europe throughout most of the twentieth century. This edition is folio-sized measuring 38 x 29 cm with 1/4 cloth and paste paper over boards binding. Paper is a thick handmade and the presswork and typography are flawless.

May I suggest calling Philip Salmon directly at Bromer Booksellers (T: + 1 617 247 2818, where + = 00 in Europe), having him send photos of both binding and text pages, and putting the book on hold until you can review the photos. IIRC, you already own a copy of the Rampant Lions edition of the Psalms of David. If so, this is quite comparable.

I would also add Sampler, by Arion Press. It is a superb edition of Emily Dickinson’s poetry in an apropos binding, printed on handmade paper from the Twinrocker mill in Indiana. One of the best books Arion Press has ever done.

Bromer has it listed at the subscriber-equivalent cost of $950.

>5 johnaba:

The illustrations in the Arion Press ‘Sampler’ are especially noteworthy.

>1 dlphcoracl:
Question about Allen Press. Some time ago I was looking at their La Porte de Maletroit, and decided I wasn't interested because typesetting was amateurish at best. Spacing between words and letters was just all over the place. One line would have no spacing between words at all in the fashion of medieval writing, looking like one huge word, another line would have a space after one comma and no space after another, etc. etc. Quite embarrassing, really. I doubt my 5-year-old would do much worse. However, looking at pics of some of their late works it's clear they mastered typesetting later on. So was La Porte pretty much a one-off, their first and butchered attempt, or was it more of a case of work in progress, taking them some time and several books to nail typesetting? If the latter, how long did it take for them?

>7 elladan0891:

There is definitely an upward progression. I think Allen Press very often tried to experiment and most experiments fail so...there you go. A lot of their books are a mixed bag but at their best....

>7 elladan0891: And there are way cheaper copies out there, without knowing the trustworthiness of the sellers though.

Any opinions on their Four Stories of Pushkin?
Along with Youth, Creatures Moralised, and Persian Stories it is the most appealing to me.

>7 elladan0891:
>8 MobyRichard:

The best deal, in my opinion, is their 'Temptation of Saint Anthony.' Perpetually underpriced. I hear Poeticon Astronomicon is also rated highly but I have no idea what happened to the price. I remember seeing a couple of copies go for for like $200 at auction. All of a sudden it's going for $700 - $1000, with a copy around $1700 on Ebay. Makes no sense to me.

Anyways, back on topic. I actually spotted the new Bromer listings early and picked up the deluxe quarter-goatskin edition of 'Physicke Against Fortune' from Foolscap press. Only issue is that now I have an extra (standard) copy.

If anyone wants to take it off my hands for around 15% off the published price, PM me.

>9 SebRinelli:

The Four Stories of Pushkin was published by the Allens in late 1987 towards the end of their careers, as the Allens approached their eighties. It is a small (10 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches), elegant book of 98 pages with flawless printing and use of exceptional materials. The four stories included are: The Squire's Daughter, The Queen of Spades, The Blizzard , and The Shot. The binding is an exceptionally fine nineteenth-century brown patterned floral fabric made by the silkscreen process in Switzerland. The all-rag paper was made to order by the Richard de Bas Mill, established 1326 in France, with the watermark of the Allen Press. This is arguably the finest handmade paper in the world, perhaps rivaled only by the papers from the Hayle Mill made by J. Barcham Green. The printing was done with an Albion handpress made in 1880 in Scotland and printing was done on dampened paper. The Allens would publish only three more books after this, retiring and closing their private press in their early eighties.

Bottom line: a lovely, elegant book and a joy to hold and read.

>10 MobyRichard:

The Poeticon Astronomicon is a book that has taken on a life of its own where the price no longer reflects the intrinsic worth of the book itself. Aside from Four Poems of the Occult, the Allen Press magnum opus, this is now the most expensive Allen Press book on the market. Another book with similar other-worldly pricing that comes to mind is the Arion Press 'The Physiology of Taste' (1994) with a famous set of illustrations by Wayne Thiebaud. This is now selling for between $7,000 to $10,000 from fine & rare booksellers - go figure.

>7 elladan0891:

Le Porte de Maletroit (1952) is indeed an uneven affair, printed early in their careers when they were doing commission work for the Book Club of California and, thus, printing these editions in limitations of 300 to 400 copies. Additionally, this book was produced in unfamiliar circumstances on unfamiliar equipment. The Allens were spending a year abroad living in France to study typography and the art of letterpress printing throughout Europe for one year. They had to scramble to find a handpress for this Book of California commission, eventually settling upon a French clam action handpress. The saving grace of this edition is that it was printed on Richard de Bas paper, which makes almost any book worth owning.

This book is not at all typical of their later work, which really took off in 1959 after they returned from their second sabbatical year abroad in France and Europe. From 1959 onward there is a quantum leap in the quality of their work on the handpress and the quality of the books, materials, and book designs. I will elaborate upon this further in the next day or two with specific recommendations with regard to where to focus your Allen Press book collecting. Trust me, it gets better - MUCH better - than what you see in your copy of Le Porte de Maletroit.

>14 dlphcoracl: Thank you for the detailed description. That sounds very tempting. Looking forward to your recommendations!

>13 dlphcoracl:

'The Physiology of Taste' at least started out expensive. I would never pay more than a few hundred for an Arion press book though. I've owned a few and sold them all out of (mild) disappointment.

>16 MobyRichard:

If this is so, then your are focusing on the wrong Arion Press books.

>14 dlphcoracl: I will elaborate upon this further in the next day or two with specific recommendations with regard to where to focus your Allen Press book collecting

Thank you, I would very much appreciate it!
And thank you for sharing the news of this collection's sale. I browsed through the listings yesterday and ordered a Fine copy of Yolla Bolly's The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze for $125, which I thought was a very good price.

>18 elladan0891:

In the meantime, this article that I wrote for the Books and Vines website in 2011 will give you a bit of background information on the Lewis & Dorothy Allen Press (The Allen Press).

https://booksandvines.com/2011/09/21/allen-press-of-lewis-and-dorothy-allen/

>3 gmacaree:

FYI: Photos below.

Four Quartets (Rampant Lions Press)

>15 SebRinelli:

FYI: photos below.

>21 dlphcoracl: Thanks so much. I'll have to give this one some serious consideration, it's stunning.

>29 gmacaree:

Trust the dlphcoracl.

He sees all, knows all..........

>17 dlphcoracl:

I have nothing against them. I just think for the same price you can get better books from other publishers or private presses. Arion Press has produced some lovely books, but I've never looked at their published price and said "That's a good bargain," only "I guess if I had unlimited funds it would be nice to buy that." The AP books I've bought in the past were all heavily discounted.

>18 elladan0891:

The Allen Press is best approached by recognizing that there are three distinct phases in a career which spans slightly over a half century, from 1939 to 1992:

1. The Early Years (1939-1958): Twenty-two books were published in this period. Lewis and Dorothy Allen founded the Allen Press in 1939 at the ages of 31 (both were born in 1908) and their first book ' A Trail of Beauty', a collection of wise and wonderful sayings, was written Lewis Allen's father, Harris Stearns Allen. It was a small, thin volume measuring 8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches and the next twenty-one books would follow in a similar vein, varying between slim octavo and small quarto editions. Seven of these books were commissions for the Book Club of California and several were quirky books relating to the history of the State of California in the 19th century. This period was interrupted by one year of living abroad in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Côte d'Azur, France, in 1951 to conduct research into typography and fine printing in Europe. All of the books were printed on a handpress and entirely handmade. Cumulatively, these books were modest affairs with a few high points suggestive of greater things to come.

2. The Great Folio Years (1959-1981): After publication of their twenty-first book, The Duchow Journal, restlessness once again reared its head calling the Allens back to the south of France in 1958-1959. They sold their home in California and embarked with their son on a French freighter in San Francisco, settling in Antibes on the Côte d'Azur. As before, they spent an intensive year traveling across Europe, visiting the finest private presses and paper mills, learning as much as possible about types and typography, handpress and letterpress printing, and the qualities of and differences between the finest European paper mills. Their twenty-second book, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, was published in a haphazard manner during this sabbatical year abroad and the Allens would then return to California in early 1959.

At this point in their careers, the Allens made a momentous and life-changing decision - they would give up their day jobs (other careers which had been financially necessary - Dorothy taught in grammar schools and Lewis was a commercial printer), no longer accept commissions, and devote all of their time and effort toward their own private press. They also decided their books going forward would have the following characteristics:

1. Printing done on a 19th century handpress with hand-set type on dampened handmade papers.

2. Use of the finest handmade papers available. In particular, the Allens featured papers from the ancient Richard de Bas paper mill in France, founded in 1326, which produces the finest papers in the world.

3. All of their books would be illustrated and contain at least one color (other than black and white) on every page.

4. Books would be entirely handmade with hand-sewn bindings using silk thread.

5. Uncompromising quality of materials, especially rare and costly fabrics for their binding covers.

Following their return from their second one-year sabbatical in France, the Allens published their 23rd book, Youth by Joseph Conrad, and it was a stunning departure from anything they had previously done. It was their first folio-sized book (15 1/2 x 10 1/4 inches) printed on made to order handmade paper with their watermark from the medieval Richard de Bas mill in France. It was illustrated with eight wood engravings by Blair Hughes-Stanton, printed in nine colors requiring multiple impressions. This remains one of the greatest and most sought after books from the Allen Press. For the next twenty-two years the Allens published folio-sized books that were of exceptional quality, culminating in their Allen Press Bibliography in 1981. These twenty-four books are the heart of the Allen Press bibliography and they represent one of the great private press achievements in the twentieth century. All of these books are worth acquiring.

3. The Final Years (1982-1992): At the ages of seventy-three, the rigors and physical demands of printing and publishing folio-sized books on the handpress caught up to the Allens and they began publishing smaller, slimmer volumes. They relinquished their colossal Columbian handpress and began using a smaller 1882 Albion handpress. The Allens would publish an additional eleven books, culminating in Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Life of Dante' in 1992. Remarkably, at the ages of seventy-seven years, they summoned enough strength and concentration of effort to produce one final folio-size book, the magnificent Poeticon Astronomicon in 1985. Following 'The Life of Dante' the Allens decided to retire from printing and publishing private press books at eighty-four years of age.

In my copy of The Life of Dante I have a moving letter from Lewis Allen (see photo below), written to a long-standing collector of the Allen Press books, who procrastinated and placed his order for 'Dante' after it had been fully subscribed. Lewis Allen regretfully informs him that copies are no longer available and at the bottom of the typewritten letter he announces that this will be his final book and that he and Dorothy are retiring. The typos, the incorrect dating of the letter (it is actually 1992, not 1982) and the slightly shaky handwriting betray the advanced age of the Lewises, making their achievement as a husband-and-wife team publishing entirely handmade books utilizing the handpress for over a half-century all the more remarkable. Lewis Allen would pass away six years later in 1998 at ninety years of age and Dorothy Allen would live an additional eight years, passing away in 2006 at the age of ninety-eight after truly remarkable careers.

In approximate but not rigid order, my Top Ten Allen Press books are listed below, with their numbers in the bibliography given in parentheses:

1. Four Poems of the Occult (25) - 1962. The only livres d'artiste book the Allens published which includes original work from Ferdnand
Leger, Pablo Picasso, Yves Tanguy, and Jean Arp.

2. Persian Stories from the Arabian Nights (41) - 1980.

3. The Book of Genesis (35) - 1970. Uncompromising use of the finest materials, illustrated with powerful monochromatic wood engravings
by Blair Hughes-Stanton.

4. The Allen Press Bibliography (46) - 1981. The original edition, not the later edition published years later in an edition of 1000 copies. The
Allens' heartfelt story of their vocation and careers - challenges and triumphs over forty-two years of publishing.

5. The Poeticon Astronomicon by Gaius Julius Hyginus (51) - 1985. With reproductions of a remarkable set of medieval woodcut
illustrations produced by Erhard Radtolt in Venice, 1482.

6. A Venetian Story by Lord Byron (27) -1963. A giant folio-sized book (13 x 19 inches) containing thirty-five magnificent reproductions
of 18th century copperplate engravings of Venice, selected by Prof. Philip Hofer at Harvard from three rare volumes in his personal
collection.

7. Youth by Joseph Conrad (23) - 1959. The beginning of Lewis and Dorothy Allen's extraordinary body of work that would occupy the
prime of their lives and careers. A tour-de-force of fine private press printing requiring extraordinary patience and skill.

8. The Mirrour of the World by William Caxton (28) - 1964.

9. Dialogues of Creatures Moralised (31) - 1967. A book originally produced in Latin by Gerard Leeu, Holland, in 1480, with wonderful
medieval woodcuts of the "creatures".

10. The Orestian Trilogy (48 & 49), a two-volume set - 1982/1983. Simply beautiful.

Lewis Allen's letter to a subscriber announcing the Allens' retirement at ages 84 y.o.:

>39 dlphcoracl: outstanding!

>39 dlphcoracl: As usual, thank you for all the great information. My small (15 books) collection from the Allen Press starts in 1952 with the La Porte de Maletroit and ends in 1991 with Rappaccini's Daughter. Though I love all my Allen Press books, I haven't rated any on my early volumes with five stars on LT while I've rated all of my later volumes starting with The Splendid Idle Forties (my first Allen Press book) with the max.

That 1982 retirement letter threw me at first since I read your last posts out of order.

>42 kdweber:

For reasons I have yet to understand, aside from a handful of titles the vast majority of Allen Press books remain severely undervalued on the secondary market and are one of the few remaining bargains for collectors. To produce books on a handpress one page at a time on dampened paper is extremely time-intensive. Combined with use of the finest handmade papers, e.g., Richard de Bas, Barcham Green, etc., and costly fabrics the Allens routinely used in their bindings and slipcases, the cost of producing these books in the 21st century would be prohibitive. Additionally, these books were published in small limitations of between 100 to 120 copies. Comparing one of their folio-sized books that typically sell for $300 to $500 with current private press books in that price range will emphasize this point. Astute collectors of modern private press books should be acquiring as many of these titles as they can afford.

Opted against the Eliot but for the Mirrour of the World. >1 dlphcoracl: consider me enabled. Again.

>44 gmacaree:

A classic win-win situation. Here's why (additional photos below):

Seems like there has been a run on the Pushkin. All three copies on abe were gone within a few days. I was lucky enough to get one of them!

>39 dlphcoracl:
Thank you very much, very informative, and exactly what I needed. I checked their work in the period starting with Youth, and I am drooling. My wallet just hid in a far dark corner in horror, though. Time to prioritize!

Question - I see the Allens were fond of uncials. They sure look pretty and very apropos for medieval works, but they also used them for Ancient Greek works like the Oresteian Trilogy. How easy is the script on the modern eyes? I don't have a problem reading a page sample on my laptop, but wondering how the reading experience will be in real life. It probably varies person to person, but I'm curious about your experience anyway.

>54 elladan0891:

I am not a fan of the uncial typefaces and find them tiring on the eyes. The Anvil Press, a small American private press in the mid-20th century which printed on the handpress, also favored this type with slight modification which they called American Uncial and I find it equally problematic. For very specific Allen Press books the uncial type is in perfect harmony with the overall theme / book design and I can overlook it - specifically, in their edition of The Book of Genesis.

>54 elladan0891: >55 dlphcoracl: The Allens' eccentric typeface selection is why I don't own the Oresteian Trilogy (yet). I still want a copy, but had it been in more readable type I would be moving heaven and earth to acquire it. IIRC, Donne's All For Love suffers from this dubious choice as well, which makes it tedious and confusing to read.

>55 dlphcoracl:

All For Love does use an uncial typeface as does two of their final books, Egypt by Herodotus (1989) and Barlaam and Josephat; A Christian Legend of the Buddha by William Caxton (1986).

What is your opinion of the Arion Press Psalms of David and Others?

>58 Flaubie:

It is absolutely flawless.

It is a folio-sized book measuring 13 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches and the choice of Goudy New Style with Trajan capitals for the type is perfect. The letterpress printing was done on dampened mould-made paper by T. Edmonds (British, I think) and the paper is top quality. The printing makes a distinct tactile impression into the dampened paper and it is razor-sharp, very reminiscent of the Doves Press (to my eye) There are five hand-illuminated capital letters - one each at the opening of the five books - done by Thomas Ingmire in colours and gold leaf. In addition to the Book of Psalms there is also a scholarly companion volume with an introduction, notes on the translation and glossary by Prof. R.G. Barnes, Professor of English at Pomona College in California.

Unfortunately, the only copy available on the secondary market from Bromer Booksellers is not especially well priced at $850. With patience, I believe it will appear over the next 1-2 years at a more favorable price. If you wish to acquire an outstanding edition of the Psalms of David and cannot wait, an exceptional edition is still available directly from Sebastian Carter and his Rampant Lions Press in the U.K. It is priced at 175 GBP and it is an extraordinary bargain at this price. It uses the Miles Coverdale translation as used in the Book of Common Prayer - still the most widely used translation in churches throughout the U.K. - and it is a folio-sized book (34 x 23 cm) with binding of one-quarter vellum and beautiful patterned olive paper over boards, printed on J. Barcham Green mould-made paper (one of the world's finest papers) using the Eric Gill Golden Cockerel roman type. Link is given below.

This is a classic win-win situation as both editions are outstanding.

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

>57 dlphcoracl:
I have sold my copy of All for Love by Allen Press, because I found it absolutely difficult to read. In my opinion, this is a book that is mostly an art and much less a book.

Thank you! That was my thinking about price as well. Thank you also for the link to the Rampant Lions production--I will definitely have a look!

>60 booksforreading:

Frankly, I cannot blame you.

The use of the Menhart Unciala type in 6-7 of their books was one of the very few faux pas the Allen's made in their illustrious careers. They sacrificed clarity and legibility in favor of style and overall book design. T.J. Cobden-Sanderson (Doves Press) would not have approved.

>61 Flaubie:

I had forgotten - after I recommended the Rampant Lions Press edition of 'The Psalms of David' to Chris Adamson, he was so impressed that he featured it in one of his Books and Vines articles with an excellent set of photos. And remember: if you left-click over a photo with your mouse the photo will enlarge. If you then left-click over the enlarged photo a second time it will enlarge further, giving you a macro photo view. This will show the details of the letterpress printing and J. Barcham Green paper to excellent advantage. Link below.

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

>63 dlphcoracl: I cannot second this recommendation strongly enough. The book is a marvel of truly flawless typography and pressmanship.

Thank you both--I have sent a message to Sebastian Carter.

>40 dlphcoracl: Well, you inspired me to pick up the Allen's last book The Life of Dante. As a fan Dante and Boccaccio it was an easy decision. It is both rewarding and sad to see that this title can be picked up in mint condition at roughly its release price in 1992 more than a quarter century ago.

>66 kdweber:

It isn't sad - it is a gift.

When Mr. Market fails to recognize the quality of an item and severely undervalues it - pricing it well below private press books of lesser quality - you should not bemoan or lament it. Rather, you should celebrate because your ability to separate the aesthetic wheat from the chaff and your knowledge of the secondary market will enable you to scoop these books on the cheap, before the remainder of private press book collectors catch on. The vast majority of Allen Press titles, excluding about a half-dozen titles, remain a steal and they should be acquired aggressively.

Beautifully designed books, well-chosen topics that are excellent reads, superb handpress printing, and the finest materials (binding cloths and handmade papers) that were obtainable - which would cost a fortune nowadays, e.g., Fortuny fabrics, Richard de Bas and J. Barcham Green papers, etc. What more can I say?

While the Allens' folio-sized books are magnificent, my personal taste runs to smaller, handier formats. The only folio productions that tempt me these days are Poeticon Astronomicon and Youth, but they're currently a bit pricey for my wallet.

My own collection includes the Allen Press editions of Dialogue of the Dogs (Cervantes), The Transposed Heads (Mann), Four Stories (Pushkin), Rappaccini's Daughter (Hawthorne), Murders in the Rue Morgue (Poe), Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare) and La Porte de Maletroit (Stevenson).

Actually, I have 2 copies of Romeo & Juliet and La Porte de Maletroit, if anyone is interested.

The Four Stories (Pushkin) arrived this weekend and it's magnificent!
Thank you >26 dlphcoracl: for enabling.

>68 kermaier:
How's the Rappuccini's Daughter? I've read mixed statements about printing quality. Is really that bad?

I still have Thornwillow's Inferno (half-leather), if anybody is interested.

>69 SebRinelli:
As for Rappaccini’s daughter, the presswork, paper and binding are excellent, as usual, but there are many typographical errors, some of them truly puzzling as to how they were missed.

>68 kermaier:

Their Essays of Montaigne is also 8vo. Less ambitious than their other projects, but still a gem.

>71 MobyRichard:
Yes, true, but the text itself isn't as attractive for me in the Montaigne (same for Life of Dante).

Does anyone have a list of all the Allen Press Titles? I have a copy of The Allen Press Bibliography (facsimile) but it only goes up to the 50th book and 1984. What was the total number of books printed?

>73 kdweber:

The Allen Press Bibliography was published in 1981 and the Updated Part I section ended with book number 51: the Poeticon Astronomicon. The following books were then pubished from 1982 until 1992, in chronological order:

52: Barlaam and Josephat

53: Pushkin: Four Stories

54: Romeo and Juliet

55: Egypt by Herodotus

56: Rappaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

57: Michelangelo: Sonnets

58: Life of Dante by Giovanni Boccaccio

>74 dlphcoracl: Thank you. My updated part I has slightly different results:

47: Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens (1982)
48/49: The Oresteian Trilogy - 2 volume set (1982/1983)
50: Jonah Judith Ruth (1984)
51: the Poeticon Astronomicon (1985)

My copy of Jonah Judith Ruth does mention that it is the 50th production of the press while my copy of The Oresteian Trilogy is dated but doesn't mention the book number (I'm missing the prospectus). I have ordered a copy of Pictures from Italy but it hasn't arrived yet. My copies of Rappaccini's Daughter and the Life of Dante do not mention the book number.

>75 kdweber:

You are correct - I have amended my post above.

Briefly, the Poeticon Astronomicon is the last book mentioned in the Allen Press Bibliography (Update) and it is their 51st publication. From 1982 to 1992 the Allens published seven additional books in the chronological order given, as listed above. The books are not numbered but I have used the date of publication for each of these seven books.

>74 dlphcoracl:
>75 kdweber:
The prospectus for Pushkin describes it as their "fifty-third limited edition", and the title page of the book gives the publication year of 1987.
The prospectus for Rappaccini mentions the publication as marking "the fifty-second year of The Allen Press", as well as noting 1991 as the year of printing. The book itself makes no mention, that I can find, of publication year.

>76 dlphcoracl: >77 kermaier: That's great, thank you both for your help.

I wonder if I could ask a VERY novice question to the experienced users of this forum. I have recently received two books from the Allen Press. I am very new to buying fine press books and was surprised to see a ...waviness?...in the paper which I would usually think was due to poor or damp storage conditions in a “normal” or folio society hardback book. But is this to be expected when the book has been printed onto damp paper? Or is is an inherent quality of certain types of paper as they age? I am curious!

>79 leboucher::

It is normal when a page is dampened before being printed letterpress or on a handpress, which the Allens used exclusively.

>79 leboucher: as >80 dlphcoracl: says, nothing to worry about. Congratulations on your new books; an Allen Press collection of any kind will always be a special one :)

>79 leboucher:

A change in humidity often does that. Paper will usually settle down after a few weeks.

>79 leboucher:
Welcome to the club! The Allen Press books are some of the nicest I have and, has been noted elsewhere, often quite reasonably priced for what they represent.
And, yes, handmade paper, printed while damp, will show some waviness when looking at the page edges -- totally normal, and characteristic of my Allen Press and Grabhorn Press volumes, among others.

Great, thanks all! I was inspired by the discussion above to buy both the Michelangelo and the Pushkin from Bromer booksellers. They are beautiful books and I thought this paper effect was probably intrinsic, especially given the reputable source, but wanted to check that I wasn’t misleading my husband... 😊 (well perhaps slightly about cost).

>84 leboucher:

Bromer Booksellers is indeed a reputable bookseller and they have been in the business for a half-century. They are very accurate and honest in their description of book condition and if it were a flaw in book condition it would have been mentioned. You will rapidly learn which booksellers have similar reputations and are noted for carrying inventory in highly collectible condition.

So sad all the pictures by dlphcoracl are gone...

>86 Lukas1990:
I was really looking forward to a good deal when I saw this topic revived!

I don’t have a good deal to call out, but wanted to offer my congratulations to whoever snagged the Chester River Press Heart of Darkness that popped up on eBay this morning. Looks like it sold for 1500 USD.

>88 const-char-star: I saw that as well and definitely considered it as that is at the very top of my want list. It sold very quickly.

>88 const-char-star:
Was that $1500 for the standard edition or the deluxe?

Edit: Never mind, found it — standard edition, with worn slipcase. Quite a premium over original publication price!

>90 kermaier: But seems to be the current price on the market. This year, another copy went on abe for $1500, too

Not sure if these will be bargains per se since they are at auction, but a couple of Thornwillow titles are on the block. Apparently these don't become available often, at least according to Thornwillow themselves.

The Bill of Rights: America's Guarantee of Human Rights, the World's Example of Freedom by Warren E. Burger - https://doyle.com/auctions/22sc02-selections-private-collection-barbara-and-ira-...

Monticello and the Legacy of Thomas Jefferson by Wendell D. Garrett - https://doyle.com/auctions/22sc02-selections-private-collection-barbara-and-ira-...

Anyone have experience with the Doyle auction house?

>92 Shadekeep: If these sell for the estimate, or double or triple, they'd be extraordinarily good deals.

Monticello is probably Thornwillow's greatest edition, and The Bill of Rights is a historically significant one (by and signed by the Chief Justice, and TWP's first of its Czech era).

Possible decent deal, don't know the market rate, but Oak Knoll has just put a copy of PAGES FROM PRESSES VOLUME II ('C' Edition) on offer:

https://www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/138475/david-butcher/pages-from-presses-vol...

>94 Shadekeep:

Pages from Presses volume 2 appears to still be available from Nomad Letterpress at the pre-publication price of GBP 445 = USD 530. The post-publication price is GBP 600 = USD 715. So USD 750 does not look a good deal at present. It might become a good deal if you are in the US and Nomad raise the price.

>95 tim_rylance: Oh, is it? My bad, I thought it was one of the volumes no longer available direct. Not a bargain then, agreed.

>96 Shadekeep:

Pat Randle's view on when the full price comes into effect appears to be very generous to the customer. I bought 2020 Vision at the pre-publication price long after I would have expected to pay the full price. I get the impression that 'C' copies of Pages from Presses volume 2 are still being shipped, and nobody on LT has said they have received a 'B' or 'A' yet.

>97 tim_rylance: your impression is correct, I just got my C copy of Pages from Presses yesterday

What is the general consensus on Nonesuch Press books from the 1940s? I know that many earlier titles from them are fine press exemplars, but what about these? I've got a chance at a small lot in admirable condition and would appreciate opinions.

>99 Shadekeep:

Two thoughts:

1. I cannot think of a notable Nonesuch Press edition published in the 1940's.

2. The Nonesuch Press was founded by Francis Meynell in 1922 with the same intent as George Macy's LEC founded in 1929 - namely, to make high quality editions available to a wider audience at affordable prices. It was NOT intended to rival the GCP, the Shakespeare Head Press, the Gregynog Press, etc. There are probably 6-7 truly distinctive Nonesuch Press publications but they are the exception, not the rule.

>99 Shadekeep: I can't speak from personal experience, but my recently acquired copy of Pages From Presses II wasn't too complementary about that period of Nonesuch publishing; it doesn't really identify any book of the 40s as being of notable quality.

In the late 1930s the Nonesuch Press' founder, Meynell, sold the press to George Macy of LEC fame. During this period it seems like the press lost what claim it had to being a noteworthy private press. Others may disagree with this take.

Some of their earlier publications are quite well designed and put together though.

>99 Shadekeep: I d/m'd you, but in general, yes...nothing of note in this period. You do have the Heritage/Nonesuch issues and some nice trade editions of Blake, Morris, Donne, etc., but nothing really to get excited about.

Well, there IS the Nonesuch Dickens, however.

>101 ubiquitousuk:

Your comment regarding the Nonesuch Press after its sale to George Macy is accurate. The Nonesuch Press Dickens (complete set) published in 1937-1938 is the last notable edition from this press.

>102 Glacierman:

The Nonesuch Dickens was published in 1937-1938, not the 1940's.

>100 dlphcoracl: This prompts another question. What are your thoughts on the 10 volume Shakespeare Head Press Shakespeare's Works? Is it comparable to the Nonesuch?

>100 dlphcoracl: >101 ubiquitousuk: >102 Glacierman:

Thank you all, very useful information (as always from the wise heads of the forum). I looked for an example of one of the volumes on Abe and found this:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31151635695

I see from this listing it's a Nonesuch/Heritage combo book. The one I'm thinking of purchasing says it's letterpress and hand-coloured. Is that true of all this series, or only certain editions? Or am I being sold a bill of goods?

>104 L.Bloom:

Both are excellent.

>100 dlphcoracl:
The press was founded in 1922, seven years earlier than the LEC…

>107 originaux:

Noted. Correction made in >100 dlphcoracl:.

I went ahead and ordered the Nonesuch/Heritage books, as they were an absolute bargain in my reckoning. They are all titles from the series discussed here: https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/of-interest-the-history-of-th...

It sounds like all except the first volume are ones produced in the US phase of publishing, the titles being:

- Candide
- The Princess of Cleves
- A Woman’s Life
- Mademoiselle de Maupin

Each near fine and less than $10.

The Book of Jonah (Clover Hill Editions). Illustrated from original David Jones' woodblocks. Ebay auction. Starting price 250$.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355179917457?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

UPDATE: Based on personal experience, I cannot recommend the seller listed below. That being said, your own experience may differ.

Ran across a nice slate of great presses in the offerings from James and Mary Laurie Booksellers. Among the presses listed are Pentagram, Midnight Paper Sales, Bird & Bull, Perishable, Limited Editions Club, Bieler, Cummington, Sutton Hoo, Abattoir, Red Ozier, and Stone Wall. Just about everything is half-off, in some cases making for a substantial discount, in other cases more just putting the price in line with other sellers. Here's the current list sorted from lowest price upwards:

https://www.lauriebooks.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&cat_conj=or&...

I've not ordered from them before, but I've placed one now for the below. The paucity of photos makes their valuations something of an unknown quantity, so we'll see how they stack up when the books arrive.

Donner Miscellany – Book Club of California
The Pentagram Press Commonplace Book – Pentagram Press
Potterwoman (Barbara Moraff) – Pentagram Press
Moorhen (William Logan) – Abattoir Editions
The Village Schoolmaster (Joanne Hart) – Bieler Press
The Salt Lesson (Carol Frost) – Graywolf Press
Nigh (Cid Corman) – Elizabeth Press

From the same folks, here's a commissioned work by Peter Koch at the Black Stone Press: A Trumpet Of Our Own; Yellow Bird's Essays On The North American Indian.

The Grabhorn Press also published one of Rollins' works, Joaquin Murieta: the Brigand Chief of California (1932) as part of their Rare Americana Series, reprinted from the 1859 first edition.

The Isle of Pines by Henry Neville (printed by The Wayzgoose Press, which was already discussed in this forum). Number 39 of a limited edition of 55 copies, signed by the printers, beautiful linocut illustrations by Mike Hudson. Quality stuff.

Originally published in pamphlet form in 1668, The Isle of Pines is perhaps the earliest work of fiction to use Terra Australis Incognita as its setting.

There are a couple copies for sale above 1000 USD. This copy is described as in new condition and costs 512 USD.

https://www.biblio.com/book/isle-pines-neville-henry/d/1548317298

Photos of another copy:
https://www.kaycraddock.com/pages/books/134526/henry-neville/the-isle-of-pines

>114 Lukas1990: That's beautiful! My kind of book, will have to see if I give in to temptation or not.

Following up on >111 Shadekeep: above, I cannot recommend James and Mary Laurie Booksellers. My order has remained open for over a month with no email contact apart from the original confirmation. I called them and was assured things were underway, but only silence afterwards despite further emails seeking an update. I've had to turn them over to PayPal arbitration now, something I loathe resorting to.

>116 Shadekeep: Consider editing or deleting your original thread - would be very easy for someone to miss post 116 after reading post 111. My $.02.

>116 Shadekeep: I bought a 60 year old Icelandic trade book about Ásgrímur Jónsson from James and Mary Laurie through Abe and the transaction was entirely satisfactory. Ordered 2nd Oct 2019 and arrived in the UK on 22nd Oct. Bookseller graded it VG, I think many would have graded it NF. This is only one data point, but so is yours.

Looking at their website and facebook page, they were established in 1969. Which makes them at least 75 years old, and judging from their photos they are somewhat older than that. Elderly booksellers tend to go offline from time to time due to health problems. It might be kind to show a little patience?

>118 tim_rylance: while I share your sentiment in general, given that many platforms or payment systems require customers to open cases within limited timeframes in the case of trouble, I'm not sure such patience is reasonable.

Elderly or not, no follow up within a month seems entirely unacceptable unless one has a personal relationship with a merchant.

Very nice people are not always good business people. They do seem like very nice people.

>119 abysswalker: Yes, the Abe complaint window is annoyingly only 23 days. But >116 Shadekeep: is using PayPal, who allow 180 days to open a dispute.

>117 LBShoreBook: Good idea, I've added a disclaimer at top. Let me know if it seems sufficient, otherwise happy to expand further.

>118 tim_rylance: I don't doubt people have had positive experiences, the sellers wouldn't have been around this long if so. That being said, your own was a few years ago now. Also, I spoke directly with Mary on the phone a few weeks after the order went in. The conversation was pleasant enough and I asked her if everyone was doing okay, as I realise that health is a frequent issue for everyone these days, particularly in the Winter months. She assured me things were good and that they were still looking for some books, and that she would be emailing me shortly, as well as issuing a credit for the ones which they don't have. A few weeks later and nothing.

>119 abysswalker: Exactly. There is a limited time in which to pursue arbitration, so I had to act. I would have been fine waiting had there been at least one follow-up, but at this point I am not comfortable with the protracted silence.

Any other time and circumstance I would have approached this differently. But after recently being burned by other booksellers in rapid succession, my charity is somewhat exhausted. Had this been someone I'd dealt with before, like Rulon-Miller or Locus Solus, I'd be content to let it play out.

>121 tim_rylance: They do, but my bank doesn't. If PayPal decides it's not covered by their refund policy, I've also lost the interval in which to challenge it with my bank.

> 116
>118 tim_rylance:
I've been a customer off and on of the Laurie's since the early 1980's and have visited their shop (in its various locations over the years), though most of my transactions have been through their website as well as Abebooks, with the most recent transaction being last month. I personally have never had a problem with any of the transactions over that time. I realize that things can go wrong with any bookseller.

>122 Shadekeep: I highly doubt you'll meet any resistance at all to getting your order refunded. Even if it were received and you simply changed your mind on some books, they have a generous return policy. It sounds like there was a fulfilment issue specific to your books and that the crux of the issue might be trying to communicate via email.

Totally understandable to file a claim just in case, but I think that there being a fulfillment delay due to a larger order with some items unavailable, and that they were responsive on the phone are important context to other potential buyers.

>125 NathanOv: Thanks, and I bear no animosity against the shop or the sellers. I'm simply trying to resolve this. It sounds like I've merely been unlucky enough to have an unfortunate purchase experience, one made worse by coming on the heels of a few others.

EDIT: Oh, and for clarification, the PayPal arbitration process does not stipulate a refund as the first step. Rather, it is meant to get a dialogue going between the buyer and seller, with a refund being the final outcome if no other agreement can be met. So it's not as though I'm dragging them before the magistrate and demanding my money. I am asking for an intermediary to see if they can facilitate the transaction to some kind of conclusion, since my own attempts have borne little fruit. The sellers still have all their options open.

>126 Shadekeep: Buying press books should be an unmitigated pleasure, so maybe your actions will allow them to make adjustments for future buyers and sellers as well.

>127 SuttonHooPress: That would be nice. I'd like to be the grit which cultivates a pearl, though fear I'm more likely the grain which merely irritates.

Not sure if it's been mentioned before but Petrarch Press Gospel According to Philip marked down around 60%

https://www.petrarchpress.com/philip-gospel/

>129 MobyRichard: Excellent buy at full price; bargain at the sale price. I love my copy!!!

>129 MobyRichard: Thank you for highlighting this. My second Petrarch Press offering is now on its way!

>129 MobyRichard: and it’s out of stock. It certainly looks lovely

The Lay of the Love and Death of Cornet Christoph Rilke (Arion Press) for 150$. Spine a bit sunned but otherwise looks OK.

https://www.biblio.com/book/lay-love-death-cornet-christophe-rilke/d/1583245486

>133 Lukas1990: Gone! I wish I could have nabbed it.

A number of items on sale at Riverrun Books & Manuscripts. I ordered a batch of Kahoe titles from them, plus Letters from a Portuguese Nun (Whittington Press), both at very respectable discounts. Many of the sale items are art books, but there are fine press titles interspersed. Here are some choice selections:

The Seven Deadly Sins (Gehenna Press)
Calls, Sounds & Merchandise of the Peking Street Peddlers (Bird & Bull Press)
The Guest (Janus Press)
Printer of Principle (Midnight Paper Sales)
BR (Bruce Rogers) Today (Grolier Club)
The Hovering Fly & Other Essays (Cummington Press)
Jugline. A Fish Tale and a Portfolio of Prints (Hoopsnake Press)
Pursuits & Verdicts (Tragara Press)
A Memorial Keepsake (Typophiles)
Panoply of Paper: on Collecting Decorated Papers (Whittington Press)
A Voyage to Cythera (Cummington Press)

>135 Shadekeep: I notice a couple of these have sold now. Hopefully to lurkers here who enjoy them!

>136 Shadekeep: I picked up the Peking Street Peddlers book. Thanks for the tip.

>138 ultrarightist: Good deal, I was rather tempted by that one myself.

I doubt everyone will agree it's a good deal, but a deluxe copy of Nawakum / Mixolydian's Cascadia was just listed on Abe for $3k.

>140 NathanOv: I believe that was the original list price.

>135 Shadekeep: Would love to see the woodcuts from The Hovering Fly

>142 SuttonHooPress: I too. Did find this delicious teaser from an Abe listing.

>143 Shadekeep: Oh, I thought you bought it. . . . that's astounding!

>144 SuttonHooPress: Ah, t'were that I had! It does tempt me, and I do enjoy the Cummington printing style even in books without illustrations, so I'm sure it's a gem. If I bought it though I'd want to have it rebound, and that would probably be 3x the price of the book itself.

>145 Shadekeep: I'm tempted. . . .

Not sure this counts as a “good deal”, but it’s definitely not something you see on eBay every day….
https://www.ebay.com/itm/386757305539

I picked up a copy of _The Hovering Fly..._ from Moe's Books in Berkeley and it's CHOCK full of illustrations. Lovely. Thanks for the lead.

(Tried uploading the images from my gallery, but I seem to not be doing something right.)

>148 abgreens: Fab, congratulations! I've tried relinking your images below, thanks for posting them. It is indeed an attractive looking book!

>148 abgreens: Shadekeep
That's awesome...thanks for the help...and for all the posts in general!

>147 kermaier: That's probably not a terrible deal, unless someone expects another one to come up for auction.

>148 abgreens: That's awesome! The illustrations by Williams are great, and seeing Duncan's handset prose is a highlight. I could never pull the trigger on one of the few copies that are truly fine. But I might get a cheap one someday!

I contacted Paul W. Nash at Strawberry Press about acquiring his book The role of line in art. He has a few copies in stock and is looking to clear them out, so he offered me a very attractive reduction with shipping to the US. I told him I would post about it here if anyone else desires a copy, so this could be a good chance for similarly interested collectors to get a nice bargain. Below is the summary of the book from the website.

---

The role of line in art, an essay by Wyndham Lewis, hand-printed in an edition 160 copies.
40 pages plus twelve plates (six in colour).
Imperial octavo (275 × 200 mm).
150 copies on Zerkall mould-made paper, bound in full cloth, in a slip case, price £90.00;
ten special copies on Indian hand-made paper, bound in full red morocco, in a box (out of print).

The role of line in art. This essay, in which Wyndham Lewis champions draughtsmanship as the first principle of art, was originally written for the Corvinus Press in the late 1930s. The book was never issued, however, as the sheets and plates were destroyed by bombing in May 1941. Only one copy of the original edition survived. With the kind permission of the heirs of the author, and of the original printer, the Strawberry Press has now reprinted the complete essay, and the illustrations Lewis chose for it, with an historical introduction by Paul W. Nash. The plates reproducing Lewis's drawings were printed by J. W. Northend of Sheffield for the Press.

>152 Shadekeep:
Speaking of Wyndham Lewis I found this alluring:

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/_18B46F88CD

(The Cube Press does not register any hits on this forum, and perhaps this is due to the unfineness of its output.)

>153 GusLogan: That is very cool!

>153 GusLogan: Wow, that's great! Vorticism had such a brief span it's wonderful to find anything like this. Thanks!

>153 GusLogan: Thanks for pointing it out. Below video provides a short overview.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wKSobnkTbyU

The True History of Lucian the Samosatenian for 563$ and best offer available! Wow!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285784526201?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

>157 Lukas1990: Wow indeed. This was sure not to stay around for long so I jumped on it. It's been an expensive but lucky week for me. A few days ago I found a copy of Vita di Santa Chiara Virgine from the Ashendene Press listed on Oxfam for £500. Now the True Historie for under £500. I think I need to hit pause for a while.

>158 ubiquitousuk: Congratulations! And it's only Wednesday! 😈

>158 ubiquitousuk: ah, too good to be true. The seller cancelled the GCP order saying the book was out of stock.

>158 ubiquitousuk: nice to see mention of the good stuff being picked up! Great bargain on that Ashendene!!!

>160 ubiquitousuk: Better luck next time. The seller could be quicker in removing sold items from stock. BTW, a copy of True Historie has just been sold for 1200 GBP (hammer price) on Forum Auctions!

>162 Lukas1990: yeah, I was watching the Forum Auctions sale and find it a bit puzzling given that there are other copies on the market for slightly over £1k. I didn't see anything about the auctioned copy that seemed to merit an extra £500 once the buyer's premium is factored in. I want a copy, but not at £1500!

This seller has a copy of Britten's Aldeburgh for £200. These days copies are often listed at £300+.

If you are curious, you can see my review of the book here.

I struggle to make up my mind which is my favourite Whittington Press publication, but this is one of three or four books in the running.

>164 ubiquitousuk: Gone. Almost immediately after you posted it! That seemed like a great deal. I love the look of this book and have added it to my wishlist. Do you feel that the text is interesting enough for someone who isn't very familiar with the area?

On another subject: I have no idea if this is a good deal (I think $550 was the original price?), but I noticed a copy of Bartleby the Scrivener from Indulgence Press (1995) appeared on Abe. The first copy I've seen for sale for a little while:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31837123110&searchurl=pn%3...

>165 GardenOfForkingPaths: I am not at all familiar with the area but still enjoyed the text a lot. I thought the text and engravings work together well to create a real sense of being out on a pleasant Sunday walk around the tree-shaded lanes and haggard beaches of the wind-blasted English coast. In fact, I thought it was to my advantage to not know the place because I felt a bit like I was exploring it along with Craig.

The same can be said for his later book, Venice, as well as another Whittington Press favourite, Ebble Valley.

>166 ubiquitousuk: I was hoping you would say that! Thank you.

>165 GardenOfForkingPaths: Thanks for sharing the Bartleby link, I nabbed this for my small but growing Melville collection.

>168 LBShoreBook: Congratulations!

>168 LBShoreBook: Good acquisition. Some early work of Chip Schilling, who now runs the American Academy of Bookbinding in Telluride, CO.

Arion Press - Animal Farm for 550$. Described as in new condition, no photos.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?utm_source=vialibri&utm_mediu...

>171 Lukas1990: Looks suspicious, they joined a month ago and have a $300 audiobook version of a parenting book. If someone from here purchased it, would be interesting to know if it ever arrives.

>171 Lukas1990:

Caveat emptor. Avoid.

>171 Lukas1990:
Well no longer available, sold or removed by seller or Abe.

Hope it's not a scam. Didn't pay attention to the sellers' profile.

A copy of the numbered (roman numeral) edition of Hand & Eye's Wind in the Willows for $250/£200 from a seller in Canada:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31860117398&searchurl=bi%3...

Note: it looks like there are marks or smudges on the colophon page, but I think those might be on the camera lens as you can kind of see them on the first photo too. It's described as Fine.

>176 GardenOfForkingPaths: looks like it's gone. I have this edition and love it, someone got an absolute bargain in my opinion!

>177 EdmundRodriguez: It seemed like a bargain to me too! I have the standard edition, which I really like and have no complaints about, but was very tempted to order that numbered copy for the nicer paper and hand colouring. I hope whoever ordered it enjoys it.

I'm really looking forward to Hand & Eye's forthcoming edition of The Woman in White.

A River Runs Throught It (Pennyroyal Press) for 1500$. Best offer available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235583166956?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

EDIT: seller increased the price to 2000$. Probably realised it was too cheap :D

Aeneas in the World of the Dead Aeneidos VI. 637-901
Kelly Winterton Press (1990)
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31847609466

Might want to ask if it includes the slipcase, which is marbled and substantial. Unclear from the listing.

(No connection to seller apart from having been a satisfied customer in the past.)

The Oxfam Bookshop on St Giles in Oxford has a copy of Napoleon's Memoirs (GCP, reviewed here) in the window for £120. Spines look a little rubbed, but I think this is a good price. It's not currently on their website, but you might also be able to call the shop and ask them to send it.

Robinson Crusoe (Basilisk Press) for 326$.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?utm_source=vialibri&utm_mediu...

Hi everyone,
Underground Books has a very impressive selection of Arion, Barbarian and Heavenly Monkey books in their new catalog, at fair prices. Some of the books/sets on offer are incredibly uncommon on the market (Barbarian Pericles special, Barbarian Endgrain deluxe set, HM Colours set—I’ve never seen any of these before). I already placed my order, but haven’t received my books yet so can’t vouch for packing/condition/etc…but their communication is excellent. Keeping my fingers crossed!

http://www.undergroundbooks.net/images/upload/catalogue-two-fine-press.pdf

>183 newdigate: so many great editions in that catalogue!

>183 newdigate: Thanks for sharing. Reading catalogues is a great way to learn more about different fine presses and fine press in general. Judging from some descriptions of the books it looks like the seller acquired a collection from a gentleman who loved good cigars :D

>183 newdigate:

Newdigate brought an exceptional collection of high-end private press books to our attention yesterday (>183 newdigate: from booksellers not usually known for this fare. The proprietors made every effort to price these books fairly. This often proved difficult because many of these books rarely, if ever, appear in the secondary market and have no reference point regarding pricing.

IMHO, the following books in their Catalogue No. 2 are excellent private press books at excellent prices and are worth a second look. They are referenced by their number in the Catalogue.

No. 4: Invisible Cities, Arion Press. $1,200.
No. 24: The Nachman Stories, Arion Press. $175.
No. 34. The Age of Innocence, Arion Press. $525.

>186 dlphcoracl: Agreed. For instance, the next highest copy of Invisible Cities on Abe's is $500 more than theirs. I should also say, I enquired about the HM The Shadow over Innsmouth, and it went for about $400. Whoever acquired that one got quite the deal.

>187 What_What: Yes, they did get quite a deal. I paid $700 for my copies a few years ago.

>186 dlphcoracl: I pruned my AP collection from about 18 books to 3. Nachman Stories is one of the three I retained. Really fantastic stories aside from the production itself. Age of Innocence is one of the books I unloaded - couldn't get past that cheap cardboard slipcase - you can literally see the cardboard on the interior.

>189 LBShoreBook: I'm intrigued to know the other 2 you retained, if you wouldn't mind sharing?

>190 GardenOfForkingPaths: None of their "wow" books (I unloaded Don Quixote, Paradise Lost, Sea of Cortez, for example), I retained ones that resonate with me. Other publishers produce the "wow" books I'd rather own. I retained Nachman, American Buffalo and Melville Poems. The last one is my favorite of the three by far, as Melville is my favorite author and the hand-made paper from M-D publication is probably as close as I'll get to the larger one (aside from my 1981 U of Cal limited edition repro).

>191 LBShoreBook: Thanks. Makes perfect sense. One of the nice things about book collecting - each person's collection is a unique reflection of their own tastes, which evolve over time. The Melville Poems volume looks great. I have my eye on it for the future.

>183 newdigate: Barbarian "Pericles" special is no longer listed.

>186 dlphcoracl: In addition to these titles, I'll submit that the Arion Press "Paradise Lost" is reasonably priced. I recall that a number of FPF collectors were on the prowl for a copy. For the money, I think this is one of Hoyem's better titles. I hope someone here is able to acquire it.

I can't promise that this will culminate in good deals, especially with any added attention, but two of the Shakespeare Head Press's finest productions are on the auction block at attractive starting prices:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/185396054_shakespeare-head-press

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/185395866_spenser-edmund-the-works-8-vol-on...

Buona fortuna to the hunters. :)

Well, the system is blocking my posts in the Fleece Press thread and the moderators are out for days, so I'll try sharing the info here.

Simon is offering most of the Fleece Press back catalogue on the Offers page. These are copies he held back for this day. A great chance to pick up a title new!

>195 Shadekeep: I do second this. I think that the Fleece press is fantastic. Whilst known for engravings (and there are a number of highest states currently available on the website) almost every book in every topic is a great read. For anyone unfamiliar with the press this is a golden opportunity to get acquainted with Simon’s work.

Tindley and Everett in the UK have a copy of Nomad Letterpress' 2020 vision for £250. A very good price for an excellent book in my view:

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31986134456

Here's my video review if you need enablement:
https://youtu.be/ryLxz6UTBIw

>197 ubiquitousuk: That’s a no-brainer of a purchase!

>198 ChestnutPress: Agreed. It is one of my “often open” books. The price is about the same as it would have cost when in print.

RIT Press is having a sale on a selection of their design books. This includes books on typography and fine presses, and at least one book which is itself letterpress (Manuale Calligraphicum).

https://press.rit.edu/design-sale-2024/

Bromer appears to have their entire inventory discounted 50%.

www.bromer.com

>201 zachp: thanks for the heads up. Anne Bromer sent a heartfelt email about a week ago saying she is winding down the shop and hopes to close by the end of the year, though I didn’t notice any discount on the site at the time. I picked up Officina Bodoni’s edition of The Tempest tonight though.

>202 ChampagneSVP: I was tempted by that one too!
Someone purchased the Essex House edition of Shakespeare’s poems while it was still in my cart, alas. I consoled myself with a chapbook on the 4 main dialects of pig Latin. :-)

Sad to hear, I did pick up a couple books that I was on the fence about getting. Looks like a good chunk of books are already sold or delisted.

>203 kermaier: That someone was I

>205 ultrarightist: Congrats, it looked line a very nice copy.

Perhaps not good deals in a financial sense, but for the deep-pocketed among us there are some very fine titles in The Kelmscott Bookshop's Catalog 21. Including some books from the vanishingly small runs put out by Éditions Verdigris.

>207 Shadekeep: I'd get Speculum Mundi. Ur-text volume ii (Berkeley: Peter Koch Printers) and Golden Thread (Intima Press)... if I had deep pockets haha.

>208 Lukas1990: Absolutely agree on Intima Press, and I'd jump at the Éditions Verdigris Neruda volume too, had I the spare change.

Kelmscott Bookshop also seems to have a copy of the Janus Press The Circus of Doctor Lao -- not an easy volume to find!

>210 kermaier: is this different from the same title printed by the Janus Press for the LEC?

>211 BorisG:

Very different.

>211 BorisG: same artwork and typefaces, but completely different levels of production.

Comparison here: https://booksandvines.com/2014/09/09/the-circus-of-dr-lao-by-charles-finney-janu...

Also the price is different by a factor of 30. :-)

>213 kermaier:, >212 dlphcoracl: oh, this is stunning… I have the LEC (which is thoroughly attractive, and a steal for $70), but was not aware of the “proper” Janus Press publication.

I would personally still prioritize acquiring a copy of the Janus Press “King Lear” before this – if only there were copies to be acquired!

>214 BorisG: Interestingly, the LEC edition was published 2 years before the Janus Press edition.

The Janus Press “Lear” shows up far more frequently (if that word even remotely applies) - on the order of once every couple of years, so far as I can tell.

>215 kermaier: I saw one online last year, but when I inquired, it had already sold… will keep looking.

>216 BorisG: I think one sold at auction earlier this year.
I bought my copy a few years ago on eBay, surprisingly.

>207 Shadekeep: I picked up the Allen Press Persian Stories. I like that they’re still sending out paper catalogs.

>210 kermaier: Highly recommend Kelmscott (no affil. etc.). Eclectic selection in excellent condition. Circus of Dr. Lao is probably Van Vliet's magnum opus, and it is opulent and a joy. I like the LEC for what it is, but the Janus one is in a different league altogether. CVV is one of the masters of inserts!

>214 BorisG: There are several titles from Janus Press that rarely appear for long: Circulus Sapientiae was one I almost bought. It's surprising to me that there are currently at least two copies of Aunt Sallie's Lament, which is brilliant work that is both artist's book and celebration of book arts.

>218 kdweber: Good pick! And I like the physical catalogue option as well. Glacierman recently sent me a couple vintage catalogues and they are great for finding presses and volumes one might otherwise not discover.

For about 7 hours there was an Ashendene Press Thucydides printed on vellum for sale on Ebay! Sold for 15 000 USD.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167073451118?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

>221 Lukas1990:

Did someone make an offer and interrupt the auction? It says 1 bid, $999.99....

>222 MobyRichard: Exactly! I made an offer and later got an email from Ebay that the book was sold for 15k.

>221 Lukas1990: Wow! I've never seen pictures of the vellum before.

I couldn't find any historic auction listings for the vellum. Is $15k a 'good' price?

>224 GardenOfForkingPaths:

I've seen auctions for other fine press books printed on vellum, seems like a reasonable multiplier depending on how many vellum copies there were.

>225 MobyRichard: I’m surprised, if I saw an auction starting at $1k offering $15k seems excessive, I would have expected that they would accept something smaller

The only copy I’ve seen at auction in the past 15 years was for $22,000, including commission. It’s in the same ballpark as the Ecclesiasticus and the Apuleius, which have sold between $20-25K. The Daphnis and Chloe has ranged from $14-22K

So $15K seems like a pretty fair price, all things considered.

Some interesting books coming up for auction at Dreweatts.
Ashendene, Eragny, Kelmscott and my favourite the Dove's Keats, the binding is something else. Also an Byrne Euclid in there...

https://www.forumauctions.co.uk/Fine-Books-Manuscripts-and-Works-on-Paper/21-11-...

Let me know if this link works, if not try www.forumauctions.co.uk

>224 GardenOfForkingPaths: The Ashendene Thucydides is a shocking steal at that price, if the interior is intact. There are several collectors (private and institutional) who would pay well north of $75k for that book, especially as it has steadily increased in desirability over the past two decades and is now considered a highlight of the Press. For comparison, a vellum copy of "A Treatyse of Fysshynge Wyth an Angle" is being offered by Sophie Schneideman for 22,000GBP or about $28,380 at this weekend's Boston book fair. A copy of Hornby's "Vita di Santa Chiara Vergine" on vellum sold for 45,000GBP ($58,050 at the current exchange rate) at the 2023 NYIABF. That 2023 copy's original red vellum binding was faded to a light orange along the spine.

Someone did not understand what they had.

>228 TudorBlackPress: Some beautiful bindings in there....

>229 Sport1963:

Hmm, $75k might be a bit high. I've seen that price at retail for a subscriber's edition of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, maybe $100,000+ for a Kelmsmcott Chaucer, etc.

I don't think the Ashendene Thucydides has quite achieved those celestial heights yet, vellum or not. Not that it really matters to me. All wildly out of my price range.

>231 MobyRichard: Only 20 vellum copies of the Thucydides were printed. It's supply and demand; as a rule of thumb Ashendene vellum copies start at 10x what their paper brethren sell for. I stand firmly behind the numbers in my post. Someone scored an unbelievable deal for 15k and there are several private collectors and institutions that would pay more than 5x that amount to add that book to their collection.

>228 TudorBlackPress: Good stuff, thanks Hugh! The Workes of Armorie is lovely, and I really dig the Late Medieval amulet against malefaction. The leaves from the Office of the Dead are great, too.

There were a couple Ashendene books on vellum auctioned a couple years ago by Forum: Ecclesiasticus and Songs from the OT. They went for ~$19k and $25k, respectively, both of which were at least double their estimates. Both looked to be in fine condition or better. The latter was the only one on vellum I remember ever seeing for sale. (It might be worth noting that a lot of books in that sale went way over the estimate.)

AP's printing on vellum was highly esteemed by their contemporaries, so they have always commanded quite a premium over their paper counterparts. Their Thucydides is one of their most revered publications, so I think a retail price north of $50k is quite conceivable. These things just don't come up very often at all.

Janus Press King Lear. Rare title.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276741843631?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

Riverrun Books & Manuscripts is having a sale on many titles. Some nice stuff scattered throughout there, including an Ashendene, a Bird & Bull, a few Japanese vellum William Morris titles from Thomas B. Mosher, and choices pieces from Janus (Claire Van Vliet).

Not sure if this is a deal but this thread seemed appropriate. Correct me if I am wrong but this looks like the same rebound copy of 1930 Cresset Press Gulliver's Travels reviewed on the B&V website here: https://booksandvines.com/2015/10/26/the-great-illustrated-private-press-books-p...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326046846407

>236 Lukas1990: how’s the asking price, would you say? The fact it’s still available make me think it’s not a steal?

>239 BorisG: Honestly, I don't think it's a bargain. I posted it because it is a rare title to find, not because the price is good.

>239 BorisG: I believe a copy sold in the $1,500 - $2,000 USD range last year, which is a rather good deal. However, this may well be the finest artisanal edition of King Lear—and if one feels that way, then the price of this particular copy shouldn't be the primary deterrent.

It is also worth contacting the proprietor directly. I have found that in the fine press market, eBay-seller usernames often point to the actual name of the business. Negotiating a deal personally is of mutual benefit as the middleman fee is avoided. I often add to my library this way; savings start at 10%.

>241 PatsChoice: I’m pretty sure the seller is a private individual, and one well known on this fine press forum.

Also, ‘King Lear’? The link shows Gulliver’s Travels??

>242 ChestnutPress:
239 refers to 236.

Lol, you're flagging my message? Half the messages I see here are just people lecturing other members like they are idiots or attacking each other. This group has gone way downhill. Time to bounce.

>243 GusLogan: Ah, I see! Cheers!!

>241 PatsChoice: A copy sold on eBay in November of this year for $1,600. Two auctions for $1,100 before premium in the past two years. The second link is from the collection of Robin Williams and his ex-wife. King Lear is my favorite Shakespeare play and I'd love to have this book but $2,250 is too much.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/169664701_literature-shakespeare-william-th...
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/161277925_van-vliet-s-tragedie-of-king-lear...

>246 PBB: Great information for prospective buyers to use as a bargaining chip.

>242 ChestnutPress: >243 GusLogan: >245 ChestnutPress: Thanks for clarifying, GusLogan. The Cresset Press Gulliver is a handsome work. :)

>247 PatsChoice: That King Lear looks magnificent! But then Claire Van Vliet is an extraordinary bookmaker.

>246 PBB: thanks, very helpful!

I doubt there are many deals to be had, but Bonhams is about to auction off a pretty impressive collection of Kelmscott and related fine press works:

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/31214/the-complete-kelmscott-press-collection-of...