News from St James Park Press

Screenshot of a post in the Facebook fanpage.

I have been following this press for some time now and find their work very interesting. I hope I can afford the Animal Farm.

I exchanged emails with James a couple months ago and he told me about Animal Farm. Apparently it will be smaller, less elaborate, and subsequently less expensive than 1984. He didn’t provide a figure, but I got the impression it will be significantly less.

>2 Esoterics: Thats great! I just emailed to inquire about the standard King Arthur. I couldn't find a way to order online. Are the orders usually made via emails?

>3 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: yes

>4 punkzip: I just purchased it! And James was kind enough to make arrangements for me to get a custom slipcase for the book as well 😍 Can't wait to receive the book now

>1 Lukas1990: I did ask him regarding the timeline and he said the next title will be out in March 2022; and they are all expected to be around the price of King Arthur

>6 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: Do you know if the next title is Animal Farm? It would make sense to follow-on with it after 1984.

>7 ultrarightist: last I heard Animal Farm is the next title following 1984. He also mentioned interest in a Mark Arman Collection and Paradise Lost.

>7 ultrarightist: He didn't say.. He just asked which of the upcoming titles will I be interested in and I said I am interested in Animal Farm, Robin Hood and Matilda

>6 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: Thank you.

>6 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: Oh this would be lovely. I'm missing some good books in the 200-300 range (EUR, USD, GBP, it's all the same), lately it seems everything I want is in 500+.

>11 filox: same here... I have tried looking for St James Press Hercules online but cannot find any on sale sadly

Curious if anyone has had the paper copies of King Arthur rebound? Received, absolutely love it, and think it could benefit from a full leather presentation, but somewhat nervous of having it done with the unique page bindings.

Just got an email today that publication of 1984 has been delayed. Not unexpected and ok with me - this is the single publication I've looked forward to the most and hoping it will be best James can make it. Animal Farm is still on track for this year (not sure about that one as I've already ordered the Suntup AE which is letterpress). Given that, I don't think we will see Beauty of Byrne (the post-1984 publication I'm most looking forward to) or Robin Hood this year.

Everything that I have seen of 1984 so far has been exceptional. James is such a meticulous worker, even by Fine Press standards, and it will be worth the wait.

>13 NathanOv: It appears to be a traditional codex binding which should be relatively easy to rebind despite the extra interleaving.

New details are up about Animal Farm:

- To be printed in the second-half of 2022 on an Albion Press.
- Intended to be printed from linotype cast type – the first from the Press.
- Printed on Zerkall ohne-Silurian mould-made paper (the same Zerkall used for the Press’ edition of Orwell’s 1984)
- The edition is in keeping with the original Penguin paperbacks that saw Orwell's works published, by retaining a similar size (185 x 125mm)
- Planned to include 12 two-colour linocuts by artist Hugh Ribbans
- The binding for the edition will be a multi-coloured linocut wrap-around dust jacket, featuring a detailed scene.
- c. 120 pp.

Can't wait to subscribe!

>17 ChampagneSVP: I'm personally quite happy with the smaller format! 120 pp. on an Albion sounds like quite the undertaking though - I wonder if it will be quite limited?

I love the look of James' prospective "Animal Farm"!

https://www.stjamesparkpress.com/george-orwell-animal-farm

It looks very much like an Old Stile homage to me.

https://www.oldstilepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC_0657-copy-2-1024x71...

Can't wait to subscribe.

>20 grifgon: I didn't realize that SJPP had updated their webpage until your post. I'm looking forward to Beauty of Byrne more myself, particularly the details of the expandable binding. Will have to see what the price of Animal Farm is, but wish it were in a larger format.

https://www.stjamesparkpress.com/beautyofbyrne

This is now scheduled for 2023. In more optimistic days, I recall SJPP planned to publish 3 books in 2022 after 1984 (last update I received on 1984 was March 31). But almost everyone is behind these days. BTW, are all 3 of NRP's special publications still on track for this year?

>21 punkzip: I’m with you. The size of Animal Farm means it doesn’t tempt me, but the Beauty of Byrne does! A little disappointed it is just 32pp however I am still very excited about this and interested in the expandable binding

>22 DMulvee: I think the problem is that the Elements is pretty long. The purpose of this edition seem to be to just highlight the aesthetic beauty of parts of Byrne's work, rather than provide the full Elements. This is a good idea, as given that this uses handmade paper, the full Elements would be extremely expensive and would take much longer to complete.

>23 punkzip: I’m not sure what I was expecting (not the full Elements), but an essay explaining the history and impact with illustrations. I’m still excited, hopefully it turns out great!

>20 grifgon:
>21 punkzip:

As much as I love James Freemantle's work at the St. James Park Press, I suggest taking a careful look at the relatively recent Arion Press edition (2013). It is a livre d'artiste by Jonathan Hammer and his semi-abstract duo-color (red/black) illustrations work remarkably well. It is one of the relatively few of the more recent Arion Press editions in which a modern artist's work enhances the text.

The book is a perfect reading size (4to.) at 10 1/2 x 7 3/inches. The type is Times New Roman printed letterpress on creme-colored Zerkall ivory book paper in an easily legible size and the typeface is clear and unfussy, a pleasure to read. The presswork in this edition is up to Arion's legendary standard from its first two decades. Unfortunately, it is now OOP and not easy to find on the secondary market because it is also collected by modern art collectors.

Chris Adamson did a splendid review article in 2014 (see link below) on his Books and Vines website and you will quickly see this is a VERY viable alternative to the forthcoming SJPP edition. When reading this B & V article and looking at the photos, remember that this is one of the articles in which a true macro view can be obtained as follows:

1. Right-click once over the photo and wait a few seconds for it to enlarge.

2. Right-click a second time over the already enlarged photo and it will enlarge further, resulting in a detailed macro view. this will enable you to fully appreciate the quality of the letterpress printing in this edition.

https://booksandvines.com/2014/01/02/animal-farm-by-george-orwell-arion-press-20...

>25 dlphcoracl:" Unfortunately, it is now OOP and not easy to find on the secondary market because it is also collected by modern art collectors."

The sticking point is likely the price. I bid on the AP Animal Farm in a recent auction. I was willing to pay a price comparable to other previous hammer prices, but did not win as it went quite a bit above prior hammer prices (likely because some of these hammer prices were when it was still in print).

>22 DMulvee: "I am still very excited about this and interested in the expandable binding"

Looking at the description again I see the expandable binding will be limited to the special edition (so there will be 2 states). I suspect this special edition may be rather expensive.

>27 punkzip: If the premium of the special edition of 1984 over the cost of the standard edition is any indication, it will be.

>20 grifgon: That does look like a very lovely edition, and a style that appeals to me. Likely to be outside my book budget, however. But it does stand out, even given how many editions of this novel there are.

>29 Shadekeep:

"But it does stand out, even given how many editions of this novel there are."

Au contraire.

Surprisingly, the Arion Press edition of 'Animal Farm' was the first in fine & private press format, and it remains so. Even the George Macy Limited Editions Club did not publish this, a surprising oversight in lieu of its bibliography of nearly six-hundred editions.

>30 dlphcoracl: I think you mixed up 1984 with Animal Farm.

>31 punkzip: Yes, I was talking about Animal Farm. Though granted some of those editions, such as the Suntup one, are on the borderlands of fine press and could fall to either side depending on the person.

> Suntup Editions has a forthcoming letterpress printed Animal Farm. It is still available. I regret not purchasing the Arion Press version as I love the illustrations. I'd expected it to be available in perpetuity as seems to be the case with many of their publications.

>21 punkzip: To answer your question: "Yes!" actually. All of our delays on other editions are bindery- and shipping-side, and the "Big Books" aren't affected because they're in pre-press, and soon on press. Won't count my eggs before they hatch, but I'm still pretty confident.

>30 dlphcoracl: Since George Orwell's work has just recently entered the public domain, we have already seen half a dozen small press Orwell project. I suspect we'll have no shortage of them in the future.

I'm really glad that Arion and James' have such different takes on the presentation of the novella. Diversity in book design is good.

>33 SDB2012: You are correct, I had forgotten that all editions of the Suntup Animal Farm are letterpress. I subscribed for the Artist Edition when the title was announced.

>31 punkzip:

I did. Now corrected.

Thanks.

The Beauty of Byrne

Collector's Notes:

The original edition of Oliver Byrne's edition of Euclid's Elements published in 1847 has now become prohibitively expensive and a copy in collectible condition will now fetch five figures at auction (see links below). Fine & rare bookseller will then offer it at $18,000. to $22,000. after their traditional markup which is 100% above their price paid at auction (or nearly so), depending upon condition, i.e., degree of foxing, which this book is notorious for.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26895/lot/120/

https://www.pbagalleries.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/597/lot/195325/The-First-S...

A very attractive and viable alternative which sits squarely between the Oliver Byrne 1847 original edition and James Freemantle's forthcoming truncated edition in which the highlights are emphasized, is this one:

Euclid. Elements of Geometry Book One, Random House, 1944

This is an octavo (8vo) size book designed by Bruce Rogers. Not surprisingly, one of the greatest book designers of the 20th century found a fresh and original method of presenting Euclid's work, one that is informative and elegant. Rogers counted this book amongst his 'Bruce Rogers Thirty', the 30 editions he either designed or participated in, that he considered his finest achievements. The silver and blue decoration on the title page is based on a wood-cut by Edward Gordon Craig. An introduction by Paul Valéry discusses the contribution of the Greeks to geometry. The slipcase and matching folding chemise are custom designed.

I had originally intended to purchase St James' Animal Farm but after seeing the illustrations I'll have to pass. While the production sounds great like all James' book thus far, for me the illustrations just don't fit well with the text. Something about traditional woodcuts in an anti-utopian novel doesn't fit right. I would have loved an edition of Animal Farm with Soviet-era style propaganda posters. Oh well, one can hope...

On the other hand, the Byrne book is a pleasant surprise. If it ends up being affordable I would definitely pick up a copy.

>38 filox: I certainly respect that opinion, but for me it's the exact opposite: I love when private presses take a text *out* of its context for artwork. Deco on the Great Gatsby, or Soviet Brutalism for 1984, or woodblocks of trees for Thoreau are all lovely and very fitting, but part of what private presswork can give us is something unexpected and original and offbeat. The small edition sizes and close-knit community of collectors empowers experimentation in a way corporate/trade publishing simply doesn't have the flexibility for.

>38 filox: I'm interested in the Byrne volume too, hope it's in reach for me as well. I backed this book a few years ago: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1174653512/euclids-elements-completing-oliv...

While I can't say I'm all that enthusiastic over what's shown of the art style I am, regardless, most certainly still eager to get my hands on a copy if I can afford it. As >39 grifgon: says I do find there is merit in private presses being a bit heretical with their art now and then that dispenses with the norm. Also now being made aware of The Beauty of Byrne that's two titles from St James Park Press that are on my wish-list.

>40 Shadekeep: While certainly not fine press, Taschen also has an edition which is coming back into print soon: https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/classics/all/47706/facts.oliver_byrne...

The St. James Byrne should be a great private press edition, but it could be a superlative one. This should be a highly technical edition, much like Jason Dewinetz's recent "Arranging Furniture". I very much hope that he sticks to the basics on the colors – standard pantones, please, with no elaborate mixing – and is generous with impression. In the time of past letterpress editions of Byrne's Euclid, light impression was the prevailing consensus for best practice. I think that this is a real opportunity to see Byrne's marvelously artistic formations really biting the page. I think this will be an edition most acutely appreciated by fellow letterpress printers, due to its technicality. Take just one aspect: Registration. Registering on an Albion is more difficult than just about any other press type, in my experience. Registering on handmade paper is more difficult than any other paper type. Multiple registrations compounds difficulties. James will be doing multi-registration illustrations on just about every page using an Albion on handmade paper. This edition will be worth every penny to any collector who is interested foremost in the craft of these books.

>37 dlphcoracl:
That Random House limited edition is beautiful — I’d been considering picking up a copy for some time now. Alas, the page of the introduction you’ve shown has put me off my feed a bit.

>42 punkzip: Thanks! And Taschen has a sale coming up at the end of June, I believe, which could make it even more tempting if included.

EDIT: Just noticed the reprint date puts it beyond the sale. Still, thanks for the notice, good to know it will be available again.

>43 grifgon: I'm with you on the potential for this new Euclid re: illustrations.

I am a big fan of typographic art generally, and as you point out, there's a really well done recent book from Greenboathouse Press that showcases one of these means. However, selling fine press books is probably hard enough as it is, and going with truly non-traditional illustrations might make it less attractive to would-be buyers, despite the technical acumen it could show. One thing is (nearly) certain: we're going to see some different kind of artwork for Euclid than, say, Animal Farm.

>39 grifgon: Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not against experimenting with illustrations. It's just that in this case I don't like the result. For example, while Arion's illustrations aren't normally to my taste, I find the Animal Farm ones actually ok. And while I agree that Soviet posters in Animal Farm is a bit too much on the nose I think it suits the book perfectly -- the novel doesn't really try too hard to disguise the allegory so in that way I feel the illustrations shouldn't try too hard either. Of course, it's all down to personal tastes in the end...

It has been almost six months since James Freemantle provided an update via email to the subscribers of his 1984 edition. Has anyone heard or seen any recent updates as to its status?

>48 ultrarightist: He regularly shares lots of progress pics on his Insta. I think the short story is that he's hard at work on it, though I can't say when he plans to have it ready. From my perspective, I'm not in a rush and the pictures he shares look really good.

>48 ultrarightist: On Instagram today SJPP posted a pic of Animal Farm and stated that 1984 is close to done. 1984 is the publication I'm most anticipating this year. I may pass on AF though, particularly as I've ordered the Suntup version, and I'm also not a fan of the small format.

>48 ultrarightist:
>49 filox:
>50 punkzip:

James Freemantle's work on 1984 has been slowed by several other jobs and projects he is simultaneously involved in, specifically:

1. Printing for the Cordes Press' forthcoming edition of The Vampire Cat of Nabeshima.

2. The SJJP facsimile edition of An Albion in the Antarctic - a very complex and groundbreaking process of creating a facsimile from the original letterpress edition.

3. Concurrent work of the SJPP edition of Animal Farm, which James also hopes to publish before end of year.

That said, it is still his intention to complete and begin shipping of 1984 before end of year and I believe he is still on target to do so. Unlike his first major SJPP edition, An Albion in the Antarctic, he has had no missteps or changes in his book design requiring him to repeat work already completed and the illustrations from the many contributors seem to be arriving in a timely manner.

>49 filox: >50 punkzip: >51 dlphcoracl: Thanks for the update and information.

Just got an email saying that 1984 is heading to the binders on October 15. I just put down the deposit when I subscribed - it turns out that this will not be as expensive as I anticipated as the remaining amount due - 1984 pounds - is a quite a bit less for this US collector than when I initially subscribed!

I look forward to seeing pictures of the St James Park Press 1984. I'm sure it will magnificent. Unfortunately, at £1984 at is far beyond my price point. As for Animal Farm, I ordered the Suntup AE which I know will be fabulous. For one thing, I love Omar Rayyan's work. I think he is a modern-day Rackham. Secondly, a letterpress publication for $225... thank you! I'm glad to know that the Arion Press edition of Animal Farm sold out. I think it's great in many ways, but the illustrations were simply not up my alley.

>54 astropi: It was actually 2284 pounds which was ~$3000 as I recall when I subscribed. Fortunately I just put down a 300 pound deposit and it the interim it’s going to be quite a bit less - maybe saved ~$400 due to pound depreciation vs the dollar.

>7 ultrarightist: It is indeed, with many pages already set. I'm very much looking forward to it!

>56 ChestnutPress:

Looking at James' Instagram it seems as if the illustrations are progressing and arriving rapidly. So far, he has avoided the disastrous problems that plagued him during production of 'An Albion in the Antarctic'. Do you have any insight with regard to the likely date '1984' will be completed and ready for shipment? Is James still hoping to complete and send '1984' to all buyers before the end of 2022?

>57 dlphcoracl: I was told in an email it was going to the binders on October 15

>58 punkzip:

Pleased to hear it. It appears as if he is on track and everything is now in the hands of Roger Grech, his binder.

I'd have to ask James. I know he sent a large batch of sheets to Roger Grech, but how long he takes to hand bind them as a very busy one-man outfit is another matter.

Has anyone of you heard about Animal Farm or the Beaty of Byrne? I didn't want to bother James with an E-Mail when he is still working on 1984, but I don't want to miss out either.

>60 ChestnutPress: Both are progressing nicely in the background. Animal Farm is likely the next up, and a great many of the pages are set and ready.

>57 dlphcoracl: I'm really looking forward to An Albion in the Antarctic. His last Instagram post on it said 'soon ready'. I don't think I'm cut out for fine press book collecting. I'm way too impatient!

This thread really struggles to live up to its name.

>64 What_What: lol

Any updates?

>66 What_What: It won't see light of day until early next year, I'm afraid. Binding is delayed and will take a while. It is a typical case of fine press publications taking longer than anticipated. Even my own little booklets have been known to drag on for months before seeing publication!!

>67 ChestnutPress: Thank you for the update!

>67 ChestnutPress: Appreciate the update, thanks!

>67 ChestnutPress: I once commissioned a 4-page booklet from a letterpress printer which took 5 months to receive. This can be a slow art form. To say nothing of my own ineptitude with deadlines!

>70 grifgon: That little snippet says a great deal about the reality of the first Consensus Press edition likely taking far longer than one would hope!

>71 ChestnutPress: Not if we pull a Good Cop Bad Cop on the printer: "I really don't care when you finish the job, but Mark is getting really impatient..."

>72 grifgon: 🤣🤣🤣

James has posted some updates on Instagram, including all of the illustrations. Can't wait... 😊

Exciting! Each of James’ posts on Instagram is filled with such rich context and insight into the meaning and reasoning for each of the decisions he’s made and choices of illustrations, colour, layout, etc. Does anyone feel that a read through the book without all of that would result in a bit of a diminished experience? Or at least one that would not be as good compared to if he had compiled all of his thoughts into a commentary volume of sorts?

>75 What_What: I think the Special Edition will contain that information in a separate volume entitled "The Illustrations for Nineteen Eighty-Four"

Did anyone here actually buy the Special Edition?

>76 Dr.Fiddy: That’s too bad then, as it’s unlikely he’d do it for the regular state customers now.

I am not really a fan of dystopian literature or of 1984 specifically but this art has me considering taking a punt on the standard edition if any make it through to general sale.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive my An Albion in The Antarctic facsimile today!

I'm looking forward to reading it in full, but it seems to be a fantastic reproduction, with a nice balance between using original materials where available, maintaining the structure and adding new letterpress while also reproducing the original text in a cost- and time-effective manner.

>80 NathanOv: I love mine. It was the first fine press book I ordered, nearly a year ago now. It was well worth waiting for!

I also received my copy yesterday. The production looks absolutely lovely. I only regret not buying the original when it was still available from James.

>79 LBShoreBook: I think you are too late on this one. I think it was fully reserved over a year ago.

>82 c_schelle: I have James’ original and my copy of the facsimile arrived yesterday and it’s astonishing what a high quality reproduction the facsimile is. The binding is identical. If it weren’t for the fact that the facsimile is a few millimeters taller, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from the exterior if side by side. And the pages are beautifully reproduced too. The original is full of photo tip ins where the facsimile has the images printed on the page, and the photos in the facsimile have a slight brownish tinge to them, but they’re all nicely printed. And where the original has full pages of various paper samples bound in, the facsimile tips in some small samples. So while you might wish you had bought the original, James has done an excellent job of turning it into a more accessible but still high quality book. I’m surprised he still has copies left.

I just ordered Animal Farm, per an e-mail from James he is showing a mockup at a NY book fair and will open for subscription soon.

>84 LBShoreBook: What's the price?

295 pounds plus shipping. He has full details up on website.

I already got the Suntup Artist Edition, but still couldn’t pass on this one… So, also preordered it today :)

>84 LBShoreBook: how did you preorder?

I sent an e-mail to James a few months ago letting him know I was interested in this publication when it became available and he e-mailed me today giving me the opportunity to purchase. I would just send him an e-mail expressing interest if you want to buy one. He is very accommodating.

i'm tempted but the artwork has me on the fence. wish i could see it in person.

>86 LBShoreBook: Thanks, I visited the website a couple of days ago. Looks like it has been updated recently.

I've put an order in. It'll be my first St James Park Press title as 1984 was a bit too pricey for me. Personally I love the illustrations, particularly the beautiful wrap-around dust jacket. The small size suits the work perfectly too. I think this'll be a real treasure!

Given the single state and low limitation I've a feeling this one won't be easy to acquire on the secondary market once it sells out.

>88 SDB2012: I believe you just send an email

After returning from the NY International Antiquarian Book Fair, James Freemantle will send e-mails to the sixty subscribers to his edition of '1984' inquiring if they wish to order a copy of 'Animal Farm' - they will have right of first refusal. Since it is an excellent pairing with '1984' and it is modestly priced, I expect nearly all of the 60 subscribers will order a copy. That will leave 60 or fewer copies (depending on where James sets the final limitation) of Animal Farm available for purchase.

>87 Dr.Fiddy: Same here. I bought the Suntup numbered edition, but couldn't pass on this one. I am still trying to find SJPP's Hercules. They never seem to come up on sale anywhere. The Euclid special edition binding looks stunning, though I imagine the price will be not what I can afford.

>93 dlphcoracl: i will not be ordering Animal Farm from James as the illustrations are a complete miss for me. So at most 59 fewer copies.

One less as I've just snapped up a copy via email today, James answered quite promptly given it's the weekend.

I do like the art style in this one, woodcut/linocut is among my favorite techniques and a number of them here employ the "American Primitive" style of vertical arrangement and no perspective. I think it suits the work well, especially as it simultaneously evokes a style of Soviet propaganda art.

I too have the Suntup edition, but this looks like a worthy acquisition all the same, and the price is very reasonable, so I've written to see if there are any copies left.

FWIW, normally I avoid cartoonish-style illustrations in private press editions, e.g., the illustrations for the Thornwillow Press 'Frankenstein', etc. However, the bright, colorful linocuts in the SJPP 'Animal Farm' have a look I associate with Soviet-style propaganda posters from the 1920's and 1930's and, in a strange way, I find them highly appropriate. I am near-certain this was not James Freemantle's intent but it works.

>98 dlphcoracl: I concur with your assessment. Soviet propaganda, especially early propaganda, was quite cartoonish.

Besides the Soviet flavor of the artwork that several of us have pointed out, there is some of the kinetic energy that one sees in the works of Lynd Ward and Aidan Hughes. Though woodcut does lend itself to this kind of bold contrast naturally. The windmill illustration and the chapter ornaments are a good example of this energy.

>98 dlphcoracl: Given that the parallels with Soviet propaganda art have occurred to several of us - myself included - I wouldn't want to bet on it not being the intent of the artist. I wouldn't exactly describe the the illustrations as 'cartoonish' either. But even if they are slightly, this is after all a book about talking animals plotting to take over a farm and therefore to my mind appropriate. Certainly a realistic style wouldn't look right.

>101 Levin40:

Disagree.

They most certainly are cartoonish. They are also effective and appropriate, working well with the literature and James' scaled-down edition, so much so that I have already ordered a copy.

I love the artwork (but I also thought the art he did in Tudor Black Press’ Doctor Faustus was wonderful). My initial concern was the size of the volume as I would have preferred something a little larger, however at this price point I think it looks like great value

>103 DMulvee: I enjoyed Hugh Ribbans's work in that book as well. He's also illustrating TBP's forthcoming The Lamentable and Trve Tradgedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent.

James won an honourable mention at the Manhattan Fine Press Book Fair today for 1984.

The copy he had for display was one of the first ones bound, finished just in time for the Fair. It has come together really well and looks even better in person.

His prototype of his upcoming Euclid with the cover that pulls apart (https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrV66dWuhLH) was one of the highlights and attracted much interest from various institutions who were represented at the fair. It is, however, the Deluxe edition only that will have this binding.

Just got a reply from James here at 10:45 PM EST, which is ungodly early in the UK. Mid-night of the soul time.

Anyway, I was able to order Animal Farm, so hurrah!

>105 CTPress-Tony: Rightly so, I think. It's an mammoth project that deserves the recognition. Congratulations to James.

>102 dlphcoracl: I don't think 'cartoonish' is a particularly fair - or accurate - descriptive (although I concede that people will have definitions of what constitutes 'cartoonish'. They are in a more naive (and perhaps more brash) style than is usually seen in fine press, but I don't think them cartoony. The execution of them is superb and I think they look handsome.

I agree that they very much suit the book and I shall be happily adding a copy to my shelves.

>108 ChestnutPress:

'Cartoonish' is clearly in the eye of the beholder 😃 . Note that I am certainly NOT complaining about them or their use in James' forthcoming edition of Animal Farm. I am in sync with you - they certainly suit the book, especially its scaled down aspect so that it is indeed the same size as a comic book (or nearly so), and I am looking forward to acquiring this book as well.

>109 dlphcoracl: Cheers, Oracle! It is certainly shaping up to be a very fine edition. James's idea to create an homage to the well-designed trade books, such as those from Penguin, is great.

I think cartoonish is fair. According to their instagram, "Hugh’s brief for the dust wrapper was to create a multi-coloured linocut resembling a “Where’s Wally?” (“Where’s Waldo?” in Canada and the USA) of Animal Farm, albeit without the search and find element of that 1980’s British childhood classic."

The brief was literally inspired by the Where's Waldo cartoon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrlUNmLtJPZ/

As a sorta follow-up in the dystopian realm, I would like James to team up with Vladimir Zimakov and take on Zamyatin's We especially if their rendition of cartoonish ends up as good-looking as Animal Farm!

>112 EPsonNY: And next year will be the 100th anniversary of We's first publication, so all the more reason :)

Once thing I'm not clear about, regarding Animal Farm, is whether the dust jacket will be over hard boards, or will be the wraps of a softcover binding?

>114 kermaier:

My sense is that the use of the word "dust-wrapper" is inaccurate. From James' photos, it appears as if the very detailed multi-color illustration spanning the covers and spine of the book are an integral and inseparable part of the stiff boards binding. I am near-certain this is not a stiff wrapper/ soft cover binding.

>115 dlphcoracl:
Hard to tell -- the photos make it look a lot like stiff wrappers, in keeping with the trade paperback form factor, rather than hard boards. Hopefully it's something closer to what Taller Martin Pescador did for Sir Gawain, rather than a true "wraps" binding.

>114 kermaier: A subscriber to the Press very kindly emailed to highlight your question, which is a good one and I’m not sure why I was slightly remiss in making this clearer on my website. I’ll update that as soon as possible, but I can confirm the binding is essentially a softcover.

The reason I made this choice is entirely one of “feel”.

The book has a sturdy text block, so already has strength in the mass of paper. It is hand sewn (rather than machine sewn) and as part of that structure has heavyweight endpapers (using the same paper albeit a different colour, to the cover). One of the small pleasures is seeing the spine of a well sewn book, and this has the additional strength of linen added to the spine. I will add photos as soon as possible of these things to the website.

The “wrapper” is folded freely around the endpapers and is therefore equally removable to view the whole scene of the letterpress printed cover.

The paper I used for the covers is also heavyweight and has a strong texture, which when letterpress ink is added on top, gives a wonderful feel to the covers. It is not smooth to the touch, but rather feels handmade. Like any paperback of that size, there is an inherent pleasure in opening the book so that the covers slightly curve in the hand whilst reading.

Having said all that, as the mass of the book is small and therefore solid, has heavyweight endpapers and a heavyweight wrapper, it does not feel like a flimsy softcover, but rather has strength in its make-up.

In order to maintain both a solid state when not being read, but more so to enjoy the pleasure of the linocut illustrated covers on the shelf, the book is housed in a transparent slipcase.

I hope that no one will be disappointed by the softcover approach. It is neither easier nor more difficult than binding a hardcover. In fact, arguably the exposure of the hand sewing means the binder has to be more careful in keeping an aesthetically pleasing sewn thread because it will not later be hidden behind boards. Certainly, there is an additional step of hand folding the covers.

As a private press, I can only really go by what I think makes the book look and feel it’s best, and then hope others agree. It’s always difficult to experience what I have described above when you don’t have the book in your hands, but I hope those who have subscribed will agree with my choice when their copies arrive.

Also, thank you to everyone on this forum for all the positive feedback you give, either here or in private. As a sole printer and publisher, it’s extremely rewarding to receive it and read it.

As a postscript, I must personally try and make the title of this group - “news” - fit for purpose. To that end, I can announce for the first time here that after Euclid, the next two books from the Press are likely to be, the Story of the One Eyed Giant (Odyssey), and then Milton’s Paradise Lost! Something I’ve wanted to do for some time.

Many thanks to all. Best wishes, James (St James Park Press)

>112 EPsonNY: What a funny coincidence. Vladimir and I were literally just chatting last week about collaborating on a book. I imagine it will happen in the future when the right project emerges. Many thanks! James (St James Park Press)

>117 StJamesParkPress:

Thanks for the additional info, it all sounds great to me.

On another note, you really buried the lede on some bombshell announcements there - wow! Cannot wait to hear what you do with those titles.

>117 StJamesParkPress: All sounds good to me, thanks for explaining. Along with the small size of the edition, it sounds as though the binding choices make sense for this particular work. Really looking forward to it.

And Paradise Lost...wowza! I'd better get saving.

>117 StJamesParkPress: The Story of the One Eyed Giant (Odyssey) and Milton’s Paradise Lost is news indeed!!

Can't wait to see your take on both of these 😊

>117 StJamesParkPress: I'm fine with a softcover described this way, especially with the slipcase. As a chapbook collector I have a lot of softcover fine press already. Your approach sounds similar to what Persephone Books does, which is well-regarded from what I've heard. So all together it should be great!

>112 EPsonNY:
>113 AMindForeverVoyaging:
>118 StJamesParkPress:

A collaborations between James Freemantle & SJPP and Vladimiar Zimakov on a private press edition of 'We' is an inspired idea. I would forego the style of illustrations used in 'Animal Farm' and hope Zimakov would do something similar to his outstanding work on the recent Foolscap Press edition of 'Brief Loves That Live Forever'. I would purchase this is a heartbeat.

Wow, I love my AP Paradise Lost but SJPP edition sounds like the potential for a home run

>117 StJamesParkPress: Thanks for the very detailed response!
The only qualms I have about softcover wraps for a longer work (as opposed to a chapbook) is that the wraps would probably tend to become bowed and edge-worn, over the course of actually reading the book, unless extremely fussy measures were taken to prevent such damage.

>125 kermaier: I have a paper copy of Thornwillow's Death on the Nile and I think this is an accurate statement. I took off the dust jacket cover while reading and the heavy paper cover is much more durable than a paperback but for sure there are a few creases, etc. You can't see these imperfections with the dust jacket cover on the book.

>125 kermaier: >126 LBShoreBook: I assume the book is stored upright? I always lay my books horizontally. Some people say that places undue stress on the spine, but I haven't experienced any spine deformation in all my years of collecting, especially if you store the book in a slipcase and don't put too much mass on top. Anyway, I'm curious if laying the book flat will help it from getting bowed?

>127 astropi: I wasn't thinking about storage issues, which should be handled by the nice slipcase. I'm talking about holding the book open in the hand while reading it and turning pages. A softcover book would normally end up with the covers a bit splayed, as well as rubbed at edges and corners, by the time it's done.

>128 kermaier: Gotcha, makes sense. Curious if StJamesParkPress could comment on this issue - it would be appreciated.

I have many books with this kind of sewn binding with a heavyweight paper wrapper, and they hold up just fine. Even more so, I would imagine, with this book, as there's a slipcase. These kinds of bindings make for quite comfortable reading, to boot. Much better than having to clear off the desk and set up the book cradle!

>129 astropi: My personal view is that the act of splaying is generally the result of a mishandling of a book, and I don’t mean that to be critical; I simply mean that the way we treat an everyday paperback book usually leads to creased spines (more so because most paperbacks are simply glued at the spine rather than sewn), splayed covers and creased corners. A hardback is not immune to mishandling either.

All elements of a book are organic and react like any organic substance. If board coverings are bound against the grain the act of splaying will occur when kept in inhospitable conditions. Vellum covers react similarly. Paper is also an organic substance so the act of splaying can occur through memory, such as holding a book open for an extended period of time in a curled manner.

I expect the book to be housed in its slipcase when not being read, so any possible act of splaying would be moot when shelved; and if handled relatively carefully whilst being read should not suffer damage or undue wear, anymore than a hardback should.

The biggest difference is that when read, a hardcover’s covers cannot be curled by hand, so it is entirely the result of a natural tendency to curl a book which is soft covered while being read that leads to splaying, although this is not a permanent damage, and can easily be counteracted by being kept for a period within the slipcase.

That said, overly tight sewing at the spine (usually occurring with machine sewing) can make a book wish to “open” up naturally, but that is not the same as splaying.

Like any fine press book, the advice would simply be careful handling. In any controlled environment, paper has no more tendency to splay as boards do, so it is not a natural occurrence.

It’s not something that I personally would consider as a positive or negative for an edition in and of itself, but I do appreciate the concern in keeping any edition in the best possible condition.

I'm sure the book will be fine. James is publishing a book conceived and executed using the cumulative experience he has as a highly regarded collector and publisher, and that is aligned with his vision. If it doesn't appeal to anyone in particular, they're free to skip it.

>130 DenimDan: Perhaps it's my own over-careful nature, but the tendency for a softcover book to "drape" over my thumb and fingers, while held in an open position, makes me nervous. For example, when reading my copy of the Tallone edition of Dickinson's Poems, I generally hold the open chemise between the book and my palm to keep the covers from flopping outward.

I have found a solution for those who may be anxious about the binding of this edition:
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-George-Orwell/dp/0451526341/

>134 What_What: 😂😂😂

>134 What_What: I keep my Lamborghini pristine by riding a tricycle everywhere.

I see Animal Farm is now marked as sold out. Didn't think it would take long. Glad I subscribed to this one and congratulations to James.

>138 Levin40: When I saw that there was a new message in this thread back on June 1st (the one deleted by its author), I was curious if there was anything new so I checked the St James Park Press website and that's when I saw the "sold out" flag over the image. (I don't know what that >137 ttrotts: deleted message was.)

Anyhow, I often check James's website a few times each week and June 1st is the first time I observed that 'Animal Farm' was sold out so I expect it sold out that day or at most a couple days prior.

Like you, I'm happy for James. He's a nice guy producing great products so he's easy to root for.

Zach Harney at the Collectible Bookvault has just published an interview with James:

https://www.collectiblebookvault.com/post/minds-of-the-press-vol-11