Allen Press
Kentfield, CA, then Greenbae, CA. Started by Lewis and Dorothy Allen. They had begun printing limited edition books in 1946, but the Allen Press was in Kentfield from 1953-77 and Greenbrae from 1978-1991. They used an Albion handpress, an 1830 Acorn-Smith handpress, and finally a Columbian Press. In 1996 they received the Oscar Lewis award from the Book Club of Califonria for a lifetime of fine printing.
- The Brothers
- A Roman Comedy of 160 B.C. by Terence. Drawings by Albrecht Durer. Alan Press. Kentfield, CA. 1958. 140 copies. In cardboard case with ephemera
- The Duchow Journal. A Voyage From Boston to California 1852.
- Foreword by George P. Hammond. Printed and published by Mallette Dean. 1959. The Allen Press. Signed by Mallette Dean. Limited to 200 copies. Book in cardboard cover. Ephemera in front cover
- The Dialogue of the Dog.
- Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Designed, printed, and bound by Lewis and Dorothy Allen at the Allen Press. Kentfield, CA. 1969. Limited to 140 copies. Ephemera in the front cover.
Valenti Angelo
New York. Valenti Angelo (1897-1982) is best known as an illustrator and designer of books. His first illustrations for a book were in 1926 for San Francisco's Grabhorn Press. Since that beginning he had illustrated and decorated over 250 books. Many of his books have been included in the American Institute of Graphic Arts "books of the year" exhibition.
- The Season's Greeting.
- From Maxine and Valenti Angelo. An Alphabet of Chirstmas.
- Valenti Angelo Author & Illustrator & Printer.
- An Autographical Story. Bronxville, NY. Printed by the Meriden Gravure Co. Meriden, CT.
- Valenti Angelo Author & Illustrator & Printer.
- A Checklist of His Work from 1926 to 1970. Bronxville, NY. 1970. #2 of 45 copies. Signed by Valenti Angelo. Hardback In cardboard case. With ephemera.
- The Book of Jonah.
- From the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible. The Press of Valenti Angelo. 1969. Bronxville, NY. 35 copies. Signed by Valenti Angelo.
- Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book.
- Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Valenti Angelo. Bronxville, NY. #40 of 75. Signed by Valenti Angelo. With ephemera.
- True Charity An Example by San Bernardino of Siena.
- Valenti Angelo. The Golden Cross Press. 50 copies. Chiswick Book Shop. 1960. With ephemera.
- The Sermon on the Mount, Being the Fifth, Sixth & Seventh Chapters of the Gospel.
- The Press of Valenti Angelo. Bronxville, NY. 50 copies. Signed by Valenti Angelo. With ephemera.
- The Fiscal Hoboes.
- William Saroyan. The Press of Valenti Angelo. NY. 1949. #183 of 250. Signed by William Saroyan and Valenti Angelo.
- Albert Camus September 15, 1937.
- Privately Printed 1963. Bronxville, NY. 50 copies. Printed by Valenti Angelo. Signed by Valenti Angelo.
Ashendene Press
Ashendene, Hertfordshire, and then London, England. Started in 1895 by Sir. C. H. St. John Hornby. It printed from 1895-1915 and then 1920-1935. All its editions were set by hand. It is considered with the Kelmscott Press and Doves Press one of the finest in England.
- A Descriptive Bibliography of the Books Printed at the Ashendene Press, 1895-1935.
- C.H. St. John Hornby. Ashendene Press. 1935.
- ATreatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle. Juliana Berners.
- Ashendene Press. 1903.
- Wisdomof Jesus, the Son of Sirach, Commonly Called Ecclesiasticus.
- [Bible]. Ashendene Press. 1932.
- The First Part of the History of the Valorous & Wittie Knight-errant Don Quixote of the Mancha.
- Two volumes. Miguel Cervantes. Ashendene Press. 1927-1928.
- Quinti Horati Flacci Carmina Alcaica.
- Horace. Ashendene Press. 1903.
- Quinit Horati Flacci Carmina Sapphica.
- Horace. Ashendene Press. 1903.
- The Noble & Joyous Book Entytled Le Morte Darthur, Notwythstondyng It Treateth the Byrth, Lyf & Acs of the Sayd Kyng Arhur
- Malory. Ashendene Press. 1913.
- Publii Vergilii Marconis Opera: Bucolica, Georgica, Aeneis.
- Virgil. Ashendene Press. 1910.
Baskerville Press
Birgimham, England. John Baskerville (1706-1775) established his press in 1757. with an edition of Virgil. He designed his own typeface and used it in his master piece- the Baskerville Bible. He also became Cambridge University's printer. Baskerville's wife continued the printing business after his death until 1777.
- Publii Virgilii Maronis: Bucolica, Georgica et Aeneis.
- Virgil. Birminghamiae: Johannis Baskerville. 1757.
- D. Junii Juvenalis et Auli Persii Flacci Satyrae.
- Juvenal. Birminghamiae: Johannis Baskerville. 1761.
- The Holy Bible, Containing the Old Testament & the New: Translated Out of the Original Tongues, & with the Former Translations Diligently Compared & Revised, by His Majesty's Special Command.
- Baskerville Press. 1763. (view photo)(view photo)(view photo)(view photo)
- Quintus Horatius Flaccus.
- Horace. Birminghamiae: Johannis Baskerville. 1770
- Catulli, Tibulli et Propertii Opera.
- Catullus. Birmingham: Johannis Baskerville. 1772. Baskerville #44.
- Catulli, Tibulli et Propertii Opera.
- Catullus. Birmingham: Johannis Baskerville. 1772. Baskerville #45.
- Titi Lucretii Cari, De Rerum Natura, Libri Sex.
- Lucretius. Birminghamiae: Johannis Bakserville. 1772.
- Publii Terentii Afri, Comoediae.
- Terrence. Birminghamiae: Johannis Baskerville. 1772
- C. Crispus Sallustius et L. Annaeus Florus.
- Sallust. Birminghamiae: Johannis Baskerville. 1773.
Book Club of California
San Francisco, CA. Established in 1912, this club of book lovers is limited to 1000 members. Its first publication was issued in 1914. Since then it has issued over 200 books.
Book Club of Sacramento
Sacramento, CA. Started in 1939, its membership declined during World War II, but it was reinvigorated in 1947. It first began publishing in 1942 and has continued to this date.
- Grimshaw’s Narrative, Being the Story of Life and Events in California During Flush Times.
- Edited by J.R.K. Kantor. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1964. 310 copies. Publication #6.
- The Sacramento Book Collectors Club.
- Fiftieth Anniversary 1939-1989. A Portfolio.
- Early Sacramento. Glimpses of John Augustus Sutter, The Hok Farm and Neighboring Indian Tribes from the Journals of Prince Paul.
- Translated by Louis C. Butscher. The Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1973. Andrew Hoyem. San Francisco. 400 copies.
- A Few Favorite California Books.
- Allan R. Ottley. The Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1964. 300 copies.
- Some Reflectors of an Early California Governor Contained in a Short Dictated Memoir by Frederick F. Low, Ninth Governor of California.
- Robert H. Becker. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. MCMLIX (1959). Grabhorn Press. 310 copies. Publication # 7.
- The Early Days and Men of California.
- W.F. Swasey. 2nd Edition. Edited by Daryl Morrison. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 2004.
- Sacramento Illustrated.
- A Reprint of the Original Edition. Introductory note by Caroline Wenzel. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. Sacramento. 1950. Publication # 4.
- A Faithful Translation of the Papers Respecting the Grant Made by Governor Alvarado to John A. Sutter.
- John Plumbe. Introduction by Neal Harlow. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. MCMXLII (1942). 80 copies. Publication # 1.
- Early Sacramento.
- Glimpses of John Augustus Sutter, The Hok Farm and Neighboring Indian Tribes from the Journals of Prince Paul. Translated by Louis C. Butscher. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1973. Andrew Hoyem. San Francisco. 400 copies.
- The Adventures of a Young Swiss in California, the Gold Rush Account of Theophile De Rutte.
- Translated by Mary Grace Paquette. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1992. 400 copies.
- John A. Sutter’s Last Days. The Bidwell Letters.
- Edited by Allan R. Ottley. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. Sacramento. 1986. 410 copies. Publication # 10.
- Grimshaw’s Narrative, Being the Story of Life and Events in California During Flush Times.
- Edited by J.R.K. Kantor. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1964. 310 copies. Publication #6.
- Alonzo Dleano’s California Correspondence.
- Edited by Irving McKee. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1952. 310 copies.
- The Sutter Family and the Origins of Gold-Rush Sacramento.
- John A. Sutter, Jr. Edited by Allan R. Ottley. Red River Books. University of Oklahoma Press. Norman, OK.
- The Hudson’s Bay Company’s First Fur Brigade to the Sacramento Valley: Alexander McLeod’s 1829 Hunt.
- Introduction by Doyce B. Nunis, Jr. . Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1968.
- John A. Sutter’s Last Days. The Bidwell Letters.
- Edited by Allan R. Ottley. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. Sacramento. 1986. 410 copies. Publication # 10.
- The Adventures of a Young Swiss in California, the Gold Rush Account of Theophile De Rutte.
- Translated by Mary Grace Paquette. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1992. 400 copies.
- The First Fifty Years.
- The First Half Century, the Sacramento Book Collectors Club 1939-1989. Allan R. Ottley.
- Negro Civil Rights in California: 1850.
- David L. Snyder. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 1969. Printed by Roger Levenson, Tamalpais Press. Special Publication # 10.
- John A. Sutter, Sr. and his Grants.
- John A. Laufkotter. 2nd Edition. Edited by Kenneth N. Owens. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 2004.
- Preliminary Report of the Chief Engineer, Central Pacific Railroad , Theodore Judah.
- 2nd Edition. Introduction by Walter Gray. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 2004.
- The First Half Century – The Sacramento Book Collectors Club 1939-1989, with a Bibliography of the Club’s Publication.
- Compiled by Vincent J. Lozito.
- The Sixth Decade.
- The Sacramento Book Collectors Club 1989-1999. Vincent J. Lozito
- The First Half Century – The Sacramento Book Collectors Club 1939-1989, with a Bibliography of the Club’s Publication.
- Compiled by Vincent J. Lozito.
- Crossing the Plains and Early Days in California.
- Memories of Girlhood Days in California Golden Age. Mary Ackley. 2nd Edition. Introduction by Ruth Ellis. Sacramento Book Collectors Club. 2004.
- A Facsimile of a 19th Century Horn Book.
- Fabricated by Vince Lozito. Eagle Press. Keepsake for January 12, 1996 meeting of Sacramento Book Collectors Club.
Doves Press
Hammersmith, England. Started in 1900 by Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson (1840-1922) and Emery Walker. Walker designed the typeface used by the press based on a type used by venetian Nicolas Jensen in the 15rh Century. The press was named for a public house in the area. Its greatest work was the Doves Bible, a five volume edition issued in 1903-05. In 1916, Cobden-Sanderson threw the Doves type into the Thames River to keep it from being used by Walker after his death.
- Catalogue Raisonne of Books Printed & Published at the Doves Press, 1900-1911.
- 2nd ed. Doves Press. 1911.
- The English Bible: Containing the Old Testament & New, Translated Out of the Original Tongues by the Special Command of His Majesty King James
- Six volumes. 1903.
- Sartor Resartus: the Life & Opinions of Herr Trefelsdroeckh.
- Thomas Carlyle. Doves Press. 1907.
- Credo.
- Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson. Doves Press. 1907.
- [Poems] Keats.
- John Keats. Doves Press. 1914.
- William Morris: An Delivered the XIth November MDCC at Kelmscott House Hammersmith Before the Hammersmith Socialist Society.
- J.W. MacKail, Doves Press. 1901.
- Areopagitical: A Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc'd Printing, to the Parliament of England.
- Milton. Doves Press. 1907.
- The Tragical Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke.
- Shakespeare. Doves Press. 1909.
- [Poems] Shelley.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley. Doves Press. 1914.
- Cornelli Taciti de Vita et Moribus Iullii Agricolae Liber.
- Tacitus. Doves Press. 1900.
Golden Cockerel Press
Berkshire, England, then to London. Started in 1920 by Harold (Hal) Taylor, it was later sold to Robert Gibbing in 1924, who ran it until 1933 when it was sold to the partnership of Rutter, Sanford and Newberry. They published until 1959. It is known for its handset type (some designed by Eric Gill) and original illustrations from wood engravings.
- Adam and Eve & Pinch Me.(view PDF)
- A.E. Coppard. The Golden Cockerel Press. Berkshire. England. MCMXXI (1921). One of 550 copies. Book in cardboard case.
- The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidius Naso.
- A selection from the 1717 edition. Drawings by J. Yunge Bateman. The Golden Cockerel Press. 1958. #84 of 200 copies
- Laus Veneris.
- Algernon Charles Swinburne. Engravings by John Buckland-Wright. Golden Cockerel Press. 1948. #175 of 750
- The Constant Mistress.
- Enid Clay. With Engravings by Eric Gill. Golden Cockerel Press. 1934.
Kelmscott Press
Hammersmith, England. William Morris (1834-1896) established this press in 1891. He named it after the Kelmscott Manor House. He was prominent in the Arts and Crafts movement of the late Nineteenth Century. He established the press to contrast the typical shoddy workmanship of the time. He used as inspiration the 15th Century type of venetian printer Nicholas Jensen. Morris used hand-made paper, ornate designs and elaborate illustrations to prove the quality that could be achieved in fine printing. His masterpiece was the Kelmscott Chaucer. it has 87 illustrations designed by Edward Burne-Jones as well as may borders and initials designed by Morris himself.
- The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer.
- Chaucer. Kelmscott Press. 1896.
- The Floure & the Leafe, & the Boke of Cupide, God of Love, or the Cuckow & the Nightingale.
- Kelmscott Press. 1896.
- A Note by William Morris on His Aims in Founding the Kelmscott Press; Together with a Short Description of the Press by S.C. Cockerell, & an Annotated List of the Books Printed thereat.
- Kelmscott Press. 1898.
- Of Friendship of Amis & Amile.
- Kelmscott Press. 1896.
- The Shepheardes Calender: Conteyning Twelve Aeglogues, Proportionable to the Twelve Monthes.
- Kelmscott Press. 1898.
- The Golden Legend.
- Jacobus de Voragine. Kelmscott Press. 1892.
Plantin Press
Los Angeles, CA. Started in 1931 by Saul (1905-1974) and Lillian Marks, the press was named after a French printing house in Antwerp. The Plantin Press used an 1852 Albion press, which was eventually purchased by the California State Library Foundation in 1983. After Saul's death, his wife Lillian Simon Marks continued the business until 1985.
- A Song By Thomas Campion.
- I Care Not for These Ladies by Thomas Campion. Christmas Greetings from Saul & Lillian Marks. The Plantin Press. Los Angeles. 1951.
- Northwest Coast of America & California: 1832.
- Letters From Fort Ross, Monterey, San Pedro and Santa Barbara, by an Intelligent Bostonian. Printed for Glen Dawson. 1959. Los Angeles. 180 copies printed by Saul & Lillian Marks at the Plantin Press. Early California Travel Series XLVIII.
- An Informal Talk by Elmer Adler at the University of Kansas, April 17, 1953.
- First Annual Public Lecture on Books & Biography. Printed by Saul & Lillian Marks at the Plantin Press, Los Angeles.
- Aerial California.
- An Account of Early Flight in Northern & Southern California 1849 to World War I. Kenneth M. Johnson. Dawson’s Book Shop. Los Angeles. 1961. 350 copies. Plantin Press. Los Angeles.
- Journey to Arizona in 1876.
- Alphonse Pinart. The Zamorano Club. Los Angeles. 1962. Translated by George H. Whitney. Plantin Press. 1962.
Bruce Rogers
1870-1957. American typographer and book designer. He worked for the Riverside Press in Boston from 1896 until 1912, where he designed the Montaigne typeface. He then designed his Centaur type in 1915 for the Metropolitan Museum. He used a version of this type on his major work Oxford Lectern Bible in 1935. The Monotype Company used his typeface on their typesetting machines. Rogers was also printing advisor to Cambridge University Press and Harvard University Press. In 1933, Edwin Grabhorn said "It was Bruce Rogers' books that have influenced American and English printers more than any other recent single force."
- The Centaur.
- Maurice de Guerin. Montague Press. 1915.
Miniatures Books
Miniature books are defined as those books that are three inches or smaller in height and width. Beginning in the medieval times there were miniature books handwritten by monks for royal patrons. These were mostly prayer or devotional texts which could be handily carried in a pocket or purse. After the invention of the printing press, miniature books were a way for a printer to show his skill. In 1468, Peter Schoffer (Johann Gutenberg's assistant) printed the first pocket-size book - "Diurnale Maguntinum." Later a Venetian printer, Aldus Manutius, established the Aldine Press, which was noted for its miniature editions. According to Robert Bradbury, Twentieth Century United States Miniature Books: "The renaissance of miniature book publishing and collecting began in 1960 when Achille J. St. Onge published the first issue of the Minature Book Collector." The McCune Collection has a number of Achille J. St. Onge's publications and has a total of 25 miniature books altogether.
- The Plays of Shakespeare in Nine Volumes I-IX.
- William Pickering, Chancery Lane, London. MDCCCXXV.
- Den Swenska Psalmboken Av Konungen Gillad Och Stadfast Ar 1819.
- 7 April 1906. Gotenborg. Gustaf Melins Forlag.
- Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.
- Thomas Gray. Worcester Achille J. St. Onge 1960. 1000 copies. Printed in Haarlem, Holland.
- The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy.
- Achille J. St. Onge. Worcester. Printed in Haarlem, Holland.
- Oh St. Nicholas.
- Samuel K. Bangs. Prickly Pair Editions. 1994. #64 of 70 copies.
- Formats and Foibles. A Few Books Which Might be Called Curious.
- Walter Hart Blumenthal. Achille J. St. Once. Worcester. 1956. 300 copies. Printed in London.
- Abraham Lincoln The Sesquicentennial Anniversary 1809-1959.
- The Address by Carl Sandburg. Achille J. St. Once. Worcester. 2000 copies.
- Specimen Type 1961 Book Types in the Cases of William M. Cheney.
- Los Angeles.
- The Gettysburg of Abraham Lincoln.
- Wm. M. Cheney. 1961. 100 copies.
- Small Rain Upon the Tender Herb.
- 8th Edition. London Religious Tract Society. C. Whittingham, Chiswick. In cardboard case.
- Wild Apples History of Apple Tree.
- Henry David Thoreau. Worcester. Achille J. St. Once. 1956.
- Sermon of his Eminence.
- Francis Cardinal Spellman. Worcester. Achille J. St. Once. 1957.
- From a Writer’s Notebook.
- Van Wyck Brooks. Worcester. Achille J. St. Once. 1955.
- Adventure with Paper.
- An Encounter with a Meatgrinder.
- The Coronation of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
- Achille J. St. Once. Worcester. 1953.
- The Myths of California Isle.
- Frank J. Thomas. The Tenfingers Press. Los Angeles, CA 1966.
Miniature Books, Small Rain Upon Tender Herb
Eight Miniature Books
Miniature books on shelf
Miniature books on shelf
Miniature Books, 4 volumes
Miniature books
Miniature Books, Three Volumes
Miniature Book, Small Rain & Book cover
Miniature Books, Formats and Foibles
Miniature Books, Myths of Calif. Isle
Riverside Press
Cambridge and Boston, MA. Started by Henry Houghton in 1852, it merged into Houghton Mifflin when George Mifflin became a parterner in 1880. Bruce Rogers worked for the press from 1896-1912. In 1979, the Riverside Publishing Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Houghton Mifflin.
- A Book of Songs and Sonnets Selected From the Poems of Thomas Bailey Aldrich. MCMVI (1906).
- Printed at the Riverside Press for Houghton, Miffin & Co. #248 of 430 copies. Book in cardboard jacket. Note: Signed by Thomas Bailey Aldrich.(view photo)
- The Song of Roland.
- Translated from the French by Isabel Butler. 11 ½ x 17 ½ . Houghton, Mifflin and Co. Riverside Press Edition. 1904. One of 220 copies. Original prospectus in front cover. Book in cardboard cover. (view photo)
- Some Family Letters of W.M. Thackeray Together with Recollections of his Kinswoman Blache Warre Cornish.
- Houghton, Mifflin Co. MDCCCCXI (1911). Printed at the Riverside Press. Cambridge. #41 of 550. Book in cardboard cover.
- Montaigne’s Essay on Friendshiip and XXIX Sonnets.
- Estienne De La Boetie. Translated by Louis How. Houghton Mifflin. 1915. #13 of 450 copies. Printed by the Riverside Press.
- A Report of the Truth Concerning the Last Fight of the Revenge.
- Walter Raleigh. The Riverside Press. Boston. 1902. #79 of 300. In cardboard case. Condition: This copy is foxed.
- Mater Coronata Recited at the Bicentennial Celebration of Yale University.
- Edmund Clarence Stedman. Houghton, Mifflin. Riverside Press. MDCCCCI (1901)(view PDF)
- The Odyssey of Homer (Four Volumes).
- Translated by William Cullen Bryant. Illustrations by Flaxman. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Riverside Press. 1905.
- The Iliad of Homer (Four Volumes).
- Translated by William Cullen Bryant. Illustrations by Flaxman. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Riverside Press. 1905.
