Fine Printing and Private Presses

Writing to the Monotype Recorder in 1933, Eric Gill stated that a private press prints solely what it chooses to print, whereas a public press prints what its customers demand of it . Although the most famous private presses came out of the arts and crafts movement, in the 100 years since the formation of Morris's Kelmscott Press, fine printing has emerged as a distinct subject. In this series of essays, Roderick Cave draws on over 40 years experience of study, to examine the history and output of some of the famous presses such as the Doves Press and the Golden Cockerel Press, as well as some of the lesser known names such as the Pear Tree Press and the Pontine Press. The geographical range of fine printing extends around the world from the UK and US to Italy, Austria and Jamaica.