To Beauty, John Buckland Wright's work with
Joseph Ishill of the Oriole Press
by Christopher Buckland Wright
Printed during the winter of 2006-2007 and published in May this year, the most recent hand-printed book concerns the friendship of the wood engraver John Buckland Wright with Joseph Ishill, printer and publisher at the Oriole Press, New Jersey. Though the two men never met, much of their correspondence survives, and this throws light on their collaborations, which saw publication of several of JBW's engravings in Ishill's anthologies Free Vistas, as well as a separate book of poetry: Yew-Leaf and Lotus-Petal: Sonnets by John Evelyn Barlas, in 1935. The woodblocks from this beautiful little book of poetry still survive, now held by Florida University Libraries, who were very kindly able to lend them for printing in the book. Sixteen engravings printed from the woodand about eight tipped-in illustrations, quarter bound in marbled paper made in Venice by Enrico Ricciardi, the book is contained in a solander box; only a couple of copies remain, price £122.
Dearest Sydney, Joan Hassall’s Letters to Sydney Cockerell
from Italy and France
edited by Brian North Lee
Sydney Cockerell, one-time Secretary to the Kelmscott Press, paid for Joan’s first foreign holiday, and she rewarded him by sending almost a letter a day – highly descriptive and evocative – telling of her adventures in Florence, Venice, Paris, Chartres and other destinations. Several photos, and a reproduced letter and card (but no engravings); price £56
Dear Mercia, Paul Nash Letters to Mercia Oakley, 1909-18
edited by Janet Boulton, introduction by Clare Colvin
Witty letters and exuberant youthful drawings from Paul Nash to a teenage friend, just as he was beginning at the Slade. Housed in a slipcase, quarter-bound in paste paper made by Clare Maziarczyk; price £72
John Lawrence’s Four Seasons
A suite of four large signed engravings issued in 120 sets, of which 100 are for sale, £120 plus VAT
The Country Life
Miniature book of engravings by Kathy Lindsley, made originally as inn signs for Samuel Webster's brewery; £34. This is the seventh of the eight miniature books printed at the Press, and the only one still available.
Other books
From time to time I buy back copies of the Press' books with the intention of passing them on at cost to those customers who seek them, so do ask if there's a particular book you need. Shown above is Volume 1 of Dearest Joana, Joan Hassall's correspondence edited by Brian North Lee, featuring many blocks printed from the wood. Its binding papers were marbled by my friend Enrico Ricciardi, and it remains one of the most successful of all Fleece Press books.