Livre d'Artiste: THE TEMPEST, Caliban Press
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1PatsChoice
Hi all,
I've gained a lot of insight from perusing this forum and would like to return the favor in my own small way. Today, I'd like to present a publication of Shakespeare's "Tempest" which I recently acquired; it is produced by the appropriately named Caliban Press.
Caliban Press is ran by Mark McMurray, who "studied letterpress printing at the Red Ozier Press and bookbinding with Timothy Ely before founding the Caliban Press in 1985" (Pirages bio). The Press was initially a part-time passion project, but Mark was able to retire in 2018 to dedicate all of his energy to fine/private press (and fishing).
Caliban's "Tempest" is quite large at 12 1/8 x 8 1/8", but does not feel weighty nor oversized. It is housed in handmade lavender papers with a pop-in locking mechanism. On the front of the slipcase is pasted a figure cut out from a music sheet; the spine features a paper label ominously tinged with red.
The play has paper boards of the same make as the slipcase along with an eye-catching cutout that features the title on the front; the spine is purple morocco, title debossed.
The main attraction of this production is certainly the interior. The variety of handmade papers used—Velma Bolyard, La Papeterie St. Armand, Barcham Green, Arches, Frankfurt, Mexican amate: a different one for every scene—feature woodcuts of various colors, spots of colors flecked across pages, letterpress illustration; popups, paper onlays, and gatefolds are colored and made with various materials. The type is 14 pt. Dante.
Designed, printed and bound by Mark, this edition of 125 copies completed in 2001 is his magnum opus thus far. The explosion of colors, range of illustrative techniques, thematic visuals (e.g., a figure made from musical notes displayed on the front of the slipcase is a perfect homage to the Bard of bards), barrage of materials used, and beautiful typesetting makes this the definitive version of "The Tempest" and one of the mightiest triumphs of fine press this century.
The retail price for this production is $800—highway robbery, frankly. A precious few copies can still be purchased in that ballpark from a number of primary booksellers.
On to the pictures! Apologies in advance—I'm an amateur photographer at best. Please click on the photo if you'd like to study it in its original size.
EXTERIOR
I've gained a lot of insight from perusing this forum and would like to return the favor in my own small way. Today, I'd like to present a publication of Shakespeare's "Tempest" which I recently acquired; it is produced by the appropriately named Caliban Press.
Caliban Press is ran by Mark McMurray, who "studied letterpress printing at the Red Ozier Press and bookbinding with Timothy Ely before founding the Caliban Press in 1985" (Pirages bio). The Press was initially a part-time passion project, but Mark was able to retire in 2018 to dedicate all of his energy to fine/private press (and fishing).
Caliban's "Tempest" is quite large at 12 1/8 x 8 1/8", but does not feel weighty nor oversized. It is housed in handmade lavender papers with a pop-in locking mechanism. On the front of the slipcase is pasted a figure cut out from a music sheet; the spine features a paper label ominously tinged with red.
The play has paper boards of the same make as the slipcase along with an eye-catching cutout that features the title on the front; the spine is purple morocco, title debossed.
The main attraction of this production is certainly the interior. The variety of handmade papers used—Velma Bolyard, La Papeterie St. Armand, Barcham Green, Arches, Frankfurt, Mexican amate: a different one for every scene—feature woodcuts of various colors, spots of colors flecked across pages, letterpress illustration; popups, paper onlays, and gatefolds are colored and made with various materials. The type is 14 pt. Dante.
Designed, printed and bound by Mark, this edition of 125 copies completed in 2001 is his magnum opus thus far. The explosion of colors, range of illustrative techniques, thematic visuals (e.g., a figure made from musical notes displayed on the front of the slipcase is a perfect homage to the Bard of bards), barrage of materials used, and beautiful typesetting makes this the definitive version of "The Tempest" and one of the mightiest triumphs of fine press this century.
The retail price for this production is $800—highway robbery, frankly. A precious few copies can still be purchased in that ballpark from a number of primary booksellers.
On to the pictures! Apologies in advance—I'm an amateur photographer at best. Please click on the photo if you'd like to study it in its original size.
EXTERIOR
2PatsChoice
The letterpress has a wonderfully sharp bite to it. The frequent change in papers adds a delightful tactile and visual experience.
INTERIOR
INTERIOR
3dlphcoracl
>1 PatsChoice:
HOME RUN!!!!!!!!!!
Mark McMurray and his Caliban Press are what private press books are all about. Very few private presses stretch and explore the limits of innovative book design as well as Mark McMurray and his kindred spirit in this regard is Claire Van Vliet and her Janus Press. With Mark McMurray you can be certain of two things in his editions:
1. Superb letterpress printing with a distinct "bite' into the page - which I favor.
2. A selection of the finest handmade papers used throughout the edition.
The Caliban Press is not without problems, however. Its editions are quite sporadic, i.e., there simply aren't enough of them!!, and more importantly, his choice of topics are quirky in the extreme. As stated above, the Tempest is perhaps the finest edition he has ever produced. Also strongly recommended is a relatively recent edition: A Ghost Story of Christmas: A New Edition of A Christmas Carol (2017), McMurray's unusual take on the Charles Dickens classic.
Two booksellers that are keenly aware of these special books and always try to have them in their inventory are Priscilla Juvelis of Maine and Collinge & Clark (London).
P.S. Do not forget to click TWICE over the photos provided by PatsChoice to fully appreciate how accomplished the letterpress printing is and how unique the various handmade papers are.
HOME RUN!!!!!!!!!!
Mark McMurray and his Caliban Press are what private press books are all about. Very few private presses stretch and explore the limits of innovative book design as well as Mark McMurray and his kindred spirit in this regard is Claire Van Vliet and her Janus Press. With Mark McMurray you can be certain of two things in his editions:
1. Superb letterpress printing with a distinct "bite' into the page - which I favor.
2. A selection of the finest handmade papers used throughout the edition.
The Caliban Press is not without problems, however. Its editions are quite sporadic, i.e., there simply aren't enough of them!!, and more importantly, his choice of topics are quirky in the extreme. As stated above, the Tempest is perhaps the finest edition he has ever produced. Also strongly recommended is a relatively recent edition: A Ghost Story of Christmas: A New Edition of A Christmas Carol (2017), McMurray's unusual take on the Charles Dickens classic.
Two booksellers that are keenly aware of these special books and always try to have them in their inventory are Priscilla Juvelis of Maine and Collinge & Clark (London).
P.S. Do not forget to click TWICE over the photos provided by PatsChoice to fully appreciate how accomplished the letterpress printing is and how unique the various handmade papers are.
4PatsChoice
>3 dlphcoracl: Thanks, Oracle. Hope you're doing well.
Re: Janus Press: Do you happen to own The Circus of Dr. Lao? What an exquisite production.
Re: McMurray & his eclectic printing jobs: From all accounts, Mark is quite an interesting fellow. He and I share the same State; he spends a lot of time in nature. Perhaps I can be convinced to make the drive up to his neck of the woods if we as a community have an idea of which work his genius should realize next. :)
I believe Priscilla Juvelis is his official distributor. Colline & Clark is a great establishment as well—Oliver, the proprietor, is the one who introduced me to this exquisite production; he's full of amusing and enlightening anecdotes!
Re: Janus Press: Do you happen to own The Circus of Dr. Lao? What an exquisite production.
Re: McMurray & his eclectic printing jobs: From all accounts, Mark is quite an interesting fellow. He and I share the same State; he spends a lot of time in nature. Perhaps I can be convinced to make the drive up to his neck of the woods if we as a community have an idea of which work his genius should realize next. :)
I believe Priscilla Juvelis is his official distributor. Colline & Clark is a great establishment as well—Oliver, the proprietor, is the one who introduced me to this exquisite production; he's full of amusing and enlightening anecdotes!
5NathanOv
>1 PatsChoice: thanks for the introduction to this press! I’ve never been one for Shakespeare, but may have to get my hands on their Christmas Carol, Whitman Notebook and Adirondack Sutra
6dlphcoracl
>4 PatsChoice:
I do own a copy of the Janus Press 'The Circus of Dr. Lao' and the equally fine Janus Press edition of 'King Lear'. Excluding the incomparable Cranach Presse 'The Tragedie of Hamlet' (1930), the Janus Press 'King Lear' is the finest private press edition of a Shakespearean play I have encountered. See links below, and remember to click TWICE over the photos on the Books and Vines website - most of these photos will enlarge into macro photo-sized images.
https://booksandvines.com/2014/09/09/the-circus-of-dr-lao-by-charles-finney-janu...
https://booksandvines.com/2013/10/29/the-tragedie-of-king-lear-by-william-shakes...
Incidentally, Collinge & Clark is one of the very few London rare booksellers that carries a solid inventory of modern private press books from active presses. Sophie Schneideman Rare Books is another.
I do own a copy of the Janus Press 'The Circus of Dr. Lao' and the equally fine Janus Press edition of 'King Lear'. Excluding the incomparable Cranach Presse 'The Tragedie of Hamlet' (1930), the Janus Press 'King Lear' is the finest private press edition of a Shakespearean play I have encountered. See links below, and remember to click TWICE over the photos on the Books and Vines website - most of these photos will enlarge into macro photo-sized images.
https://booksandvines.com/2014/09/09/the-circus-of-dr-lao-by-charles-finney-janu...
https://booksandvines.com/2013/10/29/the-tragedie-of-king-lear-by-william-shakes...
Incidentally, Collinge & Clark is one of the very few London rare booksellers that carries a solid inventory of modern private press books from active presses. Sophie Schneideman Rare Books is another.
7PatsChoice
>5 NathanOv: You're very welcome. Please share your thoughts on those productions if you do acquire. :)
>6 dlphcoracl: Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.
Collinge & Clark has a fantastic inventory. Thanks for the tip on Sophie Schneideman.
>6 dlphcoracl: Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.
Collinge & Clark has a fantastic inventory. Thanks for the tip on Sophie Schneideman.
8venkysuniverse
I met Mark during the Oxford book fair few years back and ended up purchasing a copy of A Ghost Story of Christmas: A New Edition of A Christmas Carol on the spot. It is one of the most unique editions in my collection till date. It is a perfect blend of excellent letterpress printing and overall production quality. I am disappointed too that he prints so few over the years. If I remember correctly, I believe he had mentioned that he was going to attempt his take on 'The wind in the willows' and not sure if he started on it in the last 2-3 years. Fingers crossed!
9kermaier
>6 dlphcoracl:
Would you rank the Janus “Lear” above the Barbarian “Pericles”? (I’ve never seen the latter in the flesh.)
Would you rank the Janus “Lear” above the Barbarian “Pericles”? (I’ve never seen the latter in the flesh.)
10dlphcoracl
>9 kermaier:
No.
Although the Janus Press 'King Lear' uses a finer handmade paper than 'Pericles', a paper especially made in Maine for the Janus Press, the Barbarian Press 'Pericles' is a tour-de-force with regard to extraordinary page design and typesetting skill in a manner similar to the landmark Golden Cockerel Press edition of 'The Four Gospels' with Eric Gill woodcut illustrations. Additionally, 'Pericles' is illustrated with over one-hundred wood engravings by Simon Brett, perhaps the finest work of his long career. 'Pericles' also encompasses original research and scholarship by Crispin Elsted which sheds new light on a relatively unknown Shakespearean play. However, both are "desert island" books.
No.
Although the Janus Press 'King Lear' uses a finer handmade paper than 'Pericles', a paper especially made in Maine for the Janus Press, the Barbarian Press 'Pericles' is a tour-de-force with regard to extraordinary page design and typesetting skill in a manner similar to the landmark Golden Cockerel Press edition of 'The Four Gospels' with Eric Gill woodcut illustrations. Additionally, 'Pericles' is illustrated with over one-hundred wood engravings by Simon Brett, perhaps the finest work of his long career. 'Pericles' also encompasses original research and scholarship by Crispin Elsted which sheds new light on a relatively unknown Shakespearean play. However, both are "desert island" books.
11NathanOv
>7 PatsChoice: Well I ordered A Christmas Carol, but then I got distracted by another press on the Juvelis called Red Angel Press and ordered a couple of theirs instead! Should get to me within the week.
12NathanOv
>7 PatsChoice: Well I promised myself I'd wait till December to read this one, but that doesn't mean I can't peak inside...
Slipcase art:
Title page:
First paragraph:
One artwork:
Another:
Interesting typesetting throughout:
Slipcase art:
Title page:
First paragraph:
One artwork:
Another:
Interesting typesetting throughout:
13PatsChoice
>12 NathanOv: That's a McMurray production, alright! I love the pasted paper cutouts and pop-ups he implements; it strongly adds to the immersion and joy of the piece.
The text seems interesting from what I can read. It's a modern-day retelling of the classic tale, I take it? Reminds me of Sandow Birk's work on the Divine Comedy.
The text seems interesting from what I can read. It's a modern-day retelling of the classic tale, I take it? Reminds me of Sandow Birk's work on the Divine Comedy.
14NathanOv
>13 PatsChoice: it’s the exact text of A Christmas Carol, I believe. At least that first page is the same, is it not?
But yes, it’s a truly stunning and extravagant artist’s book - a treatment that’s rarely given to full-length classic works like this!
But yes, it’s a truly stunning and extravagant artist’s book - a treatment that’s rarely given to full-length classic works like this!
15PatsChoice
>14 NathanOv: Huh, I totally missed the mark. I haven't read A Christmas Carol since middle school—for some reason, I assumed McMurray put a modern spin on the text.
Well, thank you for enabling! Now I'm definitely grabbing a copy. :)
Well, thank you for enabling! Now I'm definitely grabbing a copy. :)
16NathanOv
>15 PatsChoice: Well, Dicken's writing has always come across particularly "modern" to me, so it makes sense!
17punkzip
I don't see any copies of the Caliban Tempest on Abebooks except for a very expensive copy in a presentation binding. What is a reasonable secondary market price to pay for this?
18NathanOv
>17 punkzip: I probably snagged one of the last normal copies online for $950, but the last few I saw before that over the summer were $6-700
19venkysuniverse
>17 punkzip: Collinge and Clark has a copy for £700 which is a very fair price - https://www.collingeandclark.co.uk/epages/BT2969.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=28204180
20DWPress
Try reaching out to Mark directly, all of us printers prefer it to representatives or secondary market.
21PatsChoice
I was ranging the internet for remaining copies of The Tempest on behalf of an interested bookseller and came across a bookbinder technically detailing the project she realized for this imprint: https://www.hannahbrownbookbinding.com/the-tempest/
We often talk about the artist's book—but what about the artist's binding? This one seems to be expertly and meticulously crafted; I especially adore the endpapers.
I do not champion Suntupian practices, but there's no denying the exceptional synergy between book and binding when both are creative and artisan.
We often talk about the artist's book—but what about the artist's binding? This one seems to be expertly and meticulously crafted; I especially adore the endpapers.
I do not champion Suntupian practices, but there's no denying the exceptional synergy between book and binding when both are creative and artisan.
22ultrarightist
>21 PatsChoice: That is an exceptionally nice binding.
23ubiquitousuk
>21 PatsChoice: I've been ogling Hannah Brown's website for some time; her bindings are superb. If only I had a spare few grand lying around...
24MobyRichard
>23 ubiquitousuk:
I wonder if a few grand would do it....I once discussed a special binding with a master binder who only does custom hand tooling (no premade tools, blocks, etc.) of any complexity and his suggestion for someone with a few grand was to just get one of his standard Cambridge bindings.
Example: https://rhollick.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/unknown1.jpeg
I wonder if a few grand would do it....I once discussed a special binding with a master binder who only does custom hand tooling (no premade tools, blocks, etc.) of any complexity and his suggestion for someone with a few grand was to just get one of his standard Cambridge bindings.
Example: https://rhollick.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/unknown1.jpeg
25ultrarightist
>24 MobyRichard: Meaning that anything custom from him is in the five figure range?
26MobyRichard
>25 ultrarightist:
I believe that was the implication. At least I'm pretty sure he didn't mean a Cambridge binding would literally cost thousands. He was just making a point.
I believe that was the implication. At least I'm pretty sure he didn't mean a Cambridge binding would literally cost thousands. He was just making a point.
27ubiquitousuk
>24 MobyRichard: yeah, I kind of fear the worst. On Hannah Brown's website it says that prices start from £2k, so I'd venture a guess that you'd be looking at more like £5-6k to get the more elaborate stuff.
On the other hand, sometimes these designer bindings show up on the secondary market at prices that look more reasonable. Here's a dealer with some.
And here's a beautiful copy of the Whittington Press Venice I was lusting after for a while. Alas, I had to settle for Whittington's original binding, gorgeous as it is in its own right.
Of course, if you buy off the shelf then you don't get the pleasure of choosing a book and binding design
On the other hand, sometimes these designer bindings show up on the secondary market at prices that look more reasonable. Here's a dealer with some.
And here's a beautiful copy of the Whittington Press Venice I was lusting after for a while. Alas, I had to settle for Whittington's original binding, gorgeous as it is in its own right.
Of course, if you buy off the shelf then you don't get the pleasure of choosing a book and binding design
