The Eugene Istomin Collection is rich in examples of some of the finest achievements in the art of book production. The modern fine or private press movement traces its origins to the insights of William Morris and his work with the Kelmscott Press in the late 19th century. Those influenced by Morris' example generally used traditional techniques for the design and printing of books, producing limited numbers of carefully crafted works. As interest in well-made books grew, some presses expanded their reach by combining high quality design with more commercial methods of mass production. Eugene Istomin himself became a participant in the fine press world serving as a consultant to the Johnson Reprints Corporation in publishing a limited edition of the works of Thomas Hardy.
Search the catalog for the full Eugene Istomin Rare Books collection, below are a few notable fine press titles.
The Vale Shakespeare is considered the masterpiece of one of the first generation of private presses. Published by the Vale Press, it was designed by Charles Ricketts and printed at the Ballantyne Press with Avon type. Each play forms a separate volume with special title that totals 39 volumes.
Harry Crosby was an American World War I veteran, poet, and publisher who for some epitomized the Lost Generation in American literature. With his wife Careese, Harry Crosby founded The Black Sun Press, an English language fine press in Paris, France. Published after his death, War Letters compiles letters Crosby wrote home during World War I. The printing was limited to one hundred and twenty-five copies.
Founded by Sir Francis Meynell, his wife Vera Wynn Mendel, and David Garnett, the Nonesuch Press was a fine press in London, England. The Nonesuch Press edition of The Divine Comedy features text in double columns in Italian and English. The book's 42 illustrations were reproduced from Botticelli’s drawings in Berlin and Rome.
Turret Books was a small press founded in 1965 located in London, England. The press specialized in publishing a series of booklets in limited editions. A-14 is a poetry book composed entirely of three-line stanzas. Louis Zukofsky was an American poet who was a founder of the Objectivist group of poets. This copy is numbered out of a limited 250 copies and signed by the author.
