Pages from Presses II - A Edition

Pages from Presses II – “A” Edition: Golden Cockerel Press, Gregynog Press, The Shakespeare Head Press, Curwen Press, Nonesuch Press, Haslewood Books & Cresset Press. Printed and published by The Whittington Press, 2022.
 
19 of 45 A Editions. Written and compiled by David Butcher, printed by The Whittington Press: “[Each copy] with 27 original specimen leaves from the seven Presses. Many of the leaves specially selected for the A edition have wood-engravings, stencil-coloured illustrations and copper-engravings and are double leaves, showing four pages.  Three leaves show typefaces specially designed for those presses that continued the tradition of having a proprietary typeface. Copies of the book are accompanied by a portfolio of additional leaves from the presses, chosen specially for this edition. Bound in full green Oasis leather with marbled endpapers by Christopher Rowlatt, with the separate portfolio of leaves, in a solander box.” (Description from the Nomad Letterpress website).
 
This incredible accomplishment of bibliography is one of the highlights of the Whittington Press. Compiling selections from the major presses of the post-war period, it is no doubt one of the best ways (outside of the books themselves) to enjoy and become familiar with the private press movement. List of leaf selections of this volume contained in contents page, photographed above.
 
In Fine condition, mostly faultless. May be very minorly marked on cover.  Contained within is a proof copy and make-ready of the prospectus for this work, it is uncut and incomplete in its printing. Pencil-marked with technical measurements, the title has been cut out for a paste-up. Given to me by Patrick Randle, it is a charming reflection of the painstaking print work which has gone into this definitive project.