New from Ascensius Press

I have just received the prospectus for the Scott Vile’s forthcoming edition of Milton’s Areopagitica, which is presently on press. While this typical rarity (only 26 copies, in two states) is sadly out of my pocket, I know that there are a good few fans of Ascensius Press on this forum that likely have deeper pockets than I, so I thought I would share this news here for those that might be interested. It looks great from the prospectus and pics on Scott’s Instagram, and I would buy it in a heartbeat if I had the funds!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C32uPWZr_ld/?igsh=MWU1c2YwZTN6dXJibQ==

Or for direct access to the press go to https://www.ascensiuspress.com/

>1 ChestnutPress:

How deep are we talking, specifically?

>3 MobyRichard: If memory serves me correctly, it is $2,500 for the standard copies and $3,200 for the deluxe.

The book will be described on Scott’s website, with preliminary details, sometime later on Sunday.

Thanks Chestnut. Here is the general text from the prospectus. We hope to have books available late Spring 2024.

From the Ascensius Press

John Milton’s
Areopagitica

A good Booke is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, imbalm’d 
and treasur’d up on purpose to a life beyond life

The book will be available in an edition of twenty-six copies.
Ten copies are full dark-red Niger leather, and sixteen are one-quarter leather with decorated paper sides. All copies are bound by Gray Parrot.
The book is 44 pages, printed on Twinrocker handmade paper.
The trim size is 8.125 x 12.75.
The frontispiece is a portrait of the author, John Milton, cut into wood by Barry Moser. This is the first portrait of Milton cut by Moser.
Composition for the text was accomplished using a Welliver interface on an English Monotype caster in 12 point long descender Janson.
The running heads are set in the Merrymount “Dutch” type, cast by John Kristensen from mats originally electrotyped by D. B. Updike for the printing of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
Display type on the title page has also been cast from the original mats made for the two-line initials drawn for the Book of Common Prayer by W. A. Dwiggins.
Designed and printed in two colors throughout at the press.

There are three other fine editions (I believe) of this book, printed by Rampant Lions, Eragny, and Doves.

Areopagitica was published on 23 November 1644 at the height of the English Civil War.

Copies I-X are $3200.00
Copies XI-XXVI are $2500.00

Just got a note from Scott Vile that "Areopagitica" is ready for shipping. Looking forward to this one, which will be keeping The Doves Press edition of the same title company on the shelf.

>7 Sport1963: Do you have the RLP edition also? It’s darn handsome, and clever in its design

>8 ChestnutPress: Thanks for bringing the Rampant Lions' edition to my attention, I was not aware of it. Very handsome indeed, and a much easier price point (in full morocco), than the Ascensius, Doves or Eragny editions.

>7 Sport1963: I received a copy a few weeks ago. It is a gorgeous book.

>9 Sport1963: It’s a superb edition, with the text visually separated by size with the main points of the text in a larger size. It makes a great counterpart to any of the other fine editions. And it’s very finely printed, as you’d expect from RLP. And, as you say, comparatively cheap, even in the full leather. I reckon it’s one of fine press’s great ‘no brainer’ purchases.