A collection of printing from woodblocks on a diversity of papers

WILLIAMS (Graham) A collection of printing from woodblocks on a diversity of papers. Charing: The Florin Press, 2021.

75 copies, 4to (A4) comprising: fifteen specials, nos. 1-5, 96 prints on 40 different papers (sold out); 6-15, 78 prints on 36 papers; and sixty standard copies, nos. 16-40, 61 prints on 31 papers; 41-75, 35 prints on 20 papers. All copies handprinted from the original woodblocks and including an 8pp Notes describing the contents of the nine formes and forty papers used.

The majority of the woodblocks are by Thomas Bewick and his school but the collection also features work by Graham Williams, Peter Forster, Simon Brett, John O’Connor and Monica Poole. Types employed include Lectura, Fry’s Ornamented, Molé Foliate, Scotch Roman, Pegasus, Rosart, Trump Medieval and Optima.

Each collection comes with a copy of Graham Williams’s book Understanding paper: assessment and permanence for artists & fine printers, 8vo, pp. 134, cloth, d.w., in which thirty-four of the (mostly hand- or mould-made, with a few machine-made) papers are independently assessed as to colour, pH value, strength, furnish (what the paper’s made of, including fibre content and any chemical additives) and printability. The book also includes notes on ink formulation and a glossary of paper terminology.

The stocks used for the collection come from inter alia Barcham Green (including two papers made specifically for the Florin Press), Lessebo Handpappersbruk, Moulin de Laroque, Richard de Bas, Twinrocker, St Cuthberts, Arches and Zerkall paper mills.

Several years in the making, A collection of printing from woodblocks is informed by a lifetime’s engagement with fine paper and the printing of woodblocks by hand. Photographs cannot do justice to these images. This is three-dimensional letterpress at its most complex and beguiling – and private press work of the best kind: exemplary, exploratory, instructive. 

I can offer special or standard copies as follows:

One of ten, nos. 6-15, 78 prints on 36 different papers, housed in a green cloth, drop-back box, printed label, gilt lettering piece, by the Abrams Bindery  

£1350

One of 35, nos. 41-75, 35 prints on 20 different papers, housed in a brown cloth, drop-back box, printed label, gilt back, by the Wayte Bindery  

£500*

*This is slightly more than the publisher’s price as I’ve chosen to upgrade the accompanying copy of Understanding paper provided with standard copies from paperback to cloth.

Also for sale separately, paperback copies of Understanding paper  

£18

 

A full prospectus is available online at www.florinpress.com