Category: Books

Book Edition Reviews, Book Reviews, Books

Death on the Nile, Agatha Christie, Thornwillow Press (2019)

When Thornwillow Press announced a Kickstarter Campaign to produce a private press edition of Death on the Nile I immediately pledged, despite having never read any works from Agatha Christie. My enthusiasm came from finally having a good excuse to read a Christie novel in order to form my own opinions as to her literary merits, as well as due to an appreciation for what … Continue reading Death on the Nile, Agatha Christie, Thornwillow Press (2019)

Chris T. Adamson1 Comment
Books

The Great War Poets, The Folio Society Limited Editions (2015-2018)

Over the previous few years The Folio Society published three very nicely done limited editions meant to honor and commemorate the one hundred year anniversary of the deaths of three of the great poets of the First World War: Rupert Brooke: Selected Poems, with illustrations by Ed Kluz and an introduction by Jon Stallworthy. Published in 2015 to commemorate the poet’s death on April 23, … Continue reading The Great War Poets, The Folio Society Limited Editions (2015-2018)

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Books

The Descent of Ishtar, by Diana White, Eragny Press (1903)

The Eragny Press was an important private press that was founded and run by artist Lucien Pissarro (1863-1944) and his wife Esther (1870–1951), herself an accomplished illustrator. The press was named for the town in Normandy where Pissarro’s father, famed Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist artist Camille Pissarro, had a home (and where Lucien and Esther had spent 8 months of their honeymoon). Lucien and Esther produced 31 hand-crafted books between 1895 and 1914. Influenced … Continue reading The Descent of Ishtar, by Diana White, Eragny Press (1903)

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Books

The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, Illustrations by Sandow Birk, Arion Press (2018)

Oscar Wilde (1854-1890) was an Irish poet/writer whose works remain immensely popular today. His best known works are The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Salome, De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Wilde’s wit and humor are legendary, as is the controversy surrounding his life. Wilde was born in Dublin. His parents were successful and quite intellectual in their own right (his mother a poet … Continue reading The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, Illustrations by Sandow Birk, Arion Press (2018)

Chris T. Adamson3 Comments
Books

The Travels of Sir John Mandeville Beyond the Holy Land, Foolscap Press (2019); Also, The Voiage and Travail of Sir John Mandeville, Grabhorn Press (1928)

The Travels of Sir John Mandeville Beyond the Holy Land, the latest publication from Foolscap Press, is one of the most beautifully done private press works in years. The publication exudes an aura of just about everything a private press work should be in terms of intent, spirit, craftsmanship and artisanal excellence. Happily for private press collectors, a 1928 version of Mandeville’s travels, published by … Continue reading The Travels of Sir John Mandeville Beyond the Holy Land, Foolscap Press (2019); Also, The Voiage and Travail of Sir John Mandeville, Grabhorn Press (1928)

Chris T. Adamson1 Comment
Books, Informational

Books & Vines Re-Launch: Private/Fine Press News for 2019

After a two year hiatus, I would like to welcome you to a re-launched Books and Vines. Plenty of articles are in the works for the coming months to highlight recent release private/fine press publications while continuing our march through some of the greatest works in private press history (see the ‘Upcoming Reviews’ section for details). Look for the first review article in the coming … Continue reading Books & Vines Re-Launch: Private/Fine Press News for 2019

Chris T. Adamson11 Comments
Book Edition Reviews, Book Reviews, Books

Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man, by Siegfried Sassoon, Limited Editions Club (1977)

Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) is best known as one of the leading poets of the First World War. Sassoon enlisted in the Army for the war, though soon became horrified at the realities he witnessed. He protested against the continuation of the war which landed him in a military psychiatric hospital, where he was to meet and become a mentor to Wilfred Owen. His strong and public anti-war actions were courageous and should be … Continue reading Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man, by Siegfried Sassoon, Limited Editions Club (1977)

Chris T. Adamson1 Comment