For our sins we have created a new publishing house. During the start of lockdown, I suggested to Gary Gianni that we work on a book together, just for us, and for him to find a story that he could feel he could doodle with. He chose a short story by Neil Gaiman. Death and Honey. After he had found his creative mojo, and the project became a book, I asked Neil if we could publish it. He was graciously enthusiastic and helpful.
I was originally going to do the book with an established publisher and also produce, for myself, twenty-six lettered editions that I was going to have handmade. I met up with a metal font bespoke printer Phil Abel at Hand & Eye, who, when he saw the project, suggested we do the whole edition as a hot metal letterpress edition, and that we become creative partners. He has been a bespoke master printer for thirty years and has made, and printed multiple books Fine Books for decades. He felt we should produce the whole edition, all seven hundred books, as different handmade hot metal type editions. I became obsessed, and fell in love, with the process, although it takes many, many months to do – it gives an extraordinarily unique look and feel to the type on the printed page. To be coupled with crafted bindings to make the kind of books that just a handful of Fine Press publisher make.
These Fine edition books are amazing, and it’s a bit like working on a small movie, every craftsperson has input and yet is beholden to the design of the book. We got together with handmade binders, Ludlow Bookbinders, with Richard Tong and formed a creative team. As it went on the printer, Phil, suggested that we do more, so we formed a new publishing house.
https://www.arete-editions.com
Images of the books are coming! They have some of the most elaborate designs and production that Rich Tong has done, handmade paper and full leather bindings with dozens of foil block passes.
I am so proud of what everyone has done. We have more books coming over the horizon which we’re very excited about.