Tudor Black Press
August 2024
Work is progressing well on the Pear Tree Press book, a number of magnesium plates have been made with more to come, the first 18 pages of text have been hand-set and printed using 14pt Caslon Old Face, however, more text needs editing and setting. The plates should start being printed in the next couple of weeks and I will be posting some images here and on Instagram at tudor.black.press
March 2024
Thank you for the pictorial review on The Library Thing by W Carter
Please click on the link https://www.librarything.com/topic/359146#n8461133
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January 2024
Work has started on James Guthrie & The Pear Tree Press.
This is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of James Guthrie's birth.
The book will include the paper read before the Double Crown Club by James Guthrie in 1934.
If you like a prospectus and are not on my mailing list please email me at tudorblackpress@gmail.com
FUTURE PLANS FOR 2024
Prometheus the Firegiver
by
Robert Bridges
Oxford Fine Press Fair
I would like to thank all of you that came to the fair and dropped by the stand to say hello and pick up your books.
I will be updating the main page of Arden as soon as the special copies have been completed, most of the standard copies are on their way, however the special copies have taken longer than expected, work on the bindings will resume after the Christmas break.
December 2023
The fair will see the official launch of Arden of Feversham. I have kept things under wraps as I was unsure that Arden would be ready. A trip was made to the home of the artist and Lino cutter, Hugh Ribbans, where he signed all of the copies of Arden. Some Specials and a number of ordinary copies have been bound and prepared for the fair. When I return home to France, all the ordinary copies will be posted out. However, the rest of the special copies need to be bound so they will be posted out in early January.
Pictures of the fair will be posted on the Instagram, Facebook and the website soon.
Thank you all for your patience.
Oxford Fine Press Fair 2023
September 2023
The printing of the text has nearly finished, and I will be starting on the printing of the linocuts, Hugh Ribbans has made the drawings of Arden and the fold-out murder scene, which is taken from the engraving in the 1633 edition.
Drawing of Thomas Arden
Drawing of the murder of Thomas Arden, based on the woodcut of 1633.
July 2023
Work is progressing well on Arden, I'm about halfway through the printing of the text. Hand-setting, printing and the dampening of the paper is time consuming, but I'm happy how work is progressing.
Hugh Ribbans is making excellent progress on the linocuts, the bulk of which should be with me at the beginning of September.
The marbled paper from Papiers Prina papers will commence next month and updates will be posted in due course.
I have attached some pictures of the linocut rubbings and one of the Fleur de Lis that will be used in the book.
Best wishes Hugh
Rubbing of Black Will linocut
First proof of the Fleur de Lis
March 2023
Work has started on a new title from the Press
The Lamentable and Trve Tradgedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent.
The text from an unknown scribe will remain as the first known printed copy, with the original spellings, printers errors, etc.
It will be printed with newly cast 14pt Caslon Old Face, which will be handset and handprinted on the Barrett Albion.
The papers are an Italian handmade wove for the special copies.
The edition will contain a number of Lino cuts by Hugh Ribbans, who cut the illustrations on Dr Faustus
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Full details will be in the prospectus that will be posted soon, if you would like a copy please drop me a mail.
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January 2023
The binding of Lohengrin commenced at the beginning of the month, some have been completed and are on the way to new homes
December 2022
All the printing will be completed on the 31st of December and the binding will commence in January
The Departure of Lohengrin
The Sword, Horn & Ring of Lohengrin
Gitane Blue leather for the bindings
September 2022
Elsa of Brabant
Initial E woodblock engraving showing Elsa of Brabant
by Jenny Portlock
August 2022
LOHENGRIN PROSPECTUS
The first pages of the prospectus is complete and it should be finished in a couple of weeks.
If you would like a copy and are not on my mailing list then drop me a line.
August 2022
Special Binding of Doctor Faustus
by Belgian bookbinder
John Kurtz
July 2022
The prospectus for Lohengrin is nearly ready for posting.
You should be getting this announcement card soon.
Oxford Fine Press Fair 2022
Doctor Faustus was launched at the fair and the binding was finished the week before. Phew! Thank you to all of you who took time to visit me and especially those of you who bought something. It was very much appreciated and made the fair worthwhile, Thank you. Hugh.