Edward Walters, printer-engraver
by Richard Russell, with a revised bibliography by John Gray and a biographical note by Tom Walters
Edward Walters, wood engraver and publisher who ran his own private press in the 1930s, also taught at Marlborough School and had links to St Dominic’s Press, along with various presses operated by religious orders. His work has been shown in several issues of Matrix, but it is time his work is recorded in book form.
Tom Walters has written a short biographical note on his father, and has been able to provide photographs which handsomely augment the mere three previously known. Richard Russell was taught to print while at Marlborough by Walters, and here writes of his debt to this unassuming and modest man. John Gray has produced a revised bibliography of the printed work, including Walters’ ephemera, enlarging Brocard Sewell's previous checklist. About 72 pages, 40 blocks and multiple tipped-in photos, printed letterpress and now in progress; I hope to publish in the summer of 2013. A prospectus should also be available quite soon.
Douglas Percy Bliss and Phyllis Dodd
by Malcolm Yorke
While Douglas Percy Bliss wrote kindly and perceptively several decades ago about his friend Edward Bawden (for a book published by the Pendomer Press), and earlier in his career took up the pen to write about Eric Ravilious and the emerging engravers of the 1920s, no-one has written about Bliss himself, who was a notable engraver, teacher and – especially – landscape painter. Malcolm Yorke has written several fine books for this Press and his study of Bliss, his wife Phyllis Dodd (a fine portrait painter) and the succeeding generation of artistic Blisses, will be another important book; details imminent.
John Buckland Wright's intaglio prints
by Christopher Buckland Wright
Collectors of the Press' books will know that five books relating to the work of John Buckland Wright have appeared under this imprint, and have been among the most successful publications. Christopher Buckland Wright, the artist's son, has gathered together surviving copper plates left in the artist's studio at the time of his death, and has compiled a full catalogue of all the engravings which JBW made, both for book illustrations and as autonomous prints; some of the artist’s intaglio work is considered to be at the pinnacle of his achievements. Copies of the book will include at least one tipped-in image printed from the original copper plate, and special copies will include a larger variety. More news shortly.
Albert Rutherston
by Ian Rogerson
Albert Rutherston is well known as a distinctive book illustrator whose work benefited from the pochoir process employed by the Curwen Press. He illustrated many books and for a short period before the First World War had a profound influence on theatre and stage costume design, though he chose not to pursue this. There has been no book on his work until now. Ian Rogerson has made a special study of Albert's work, whose grandchildren have been able to provide reference material which makes the book especially interesting. More details shortly.
Thomas Bewick's Last Days
with a Commentary by Iain Bain
Aware that his final days were approaching, Thomas Bewick made a journey – his second – to London in 1828 in order to tie up sales of remaining stocks of his books, and to see old friends. The journey began on his 75th birthday, and within three months he had died. He wrote the account of his journey on a piece of banknote paper, and his daughter Jane later pasted it into a bound set of corrected proofs of her father's Memoir. Iain Bain, renowned scholar of all that is Bewick, has added a prefatory note and fascinating commentary bringing Bewick's account to life.
Simon Lawrence, The Fleece Press, 95 Denby Lane, Upper Denby, Huddersfield HD8 8TZ
Telephone 01226 792200