May 2022

Some pics of Rich’s work in progress on the Artist’s edition of ‘The Case of Death and Honey’. Each book is made with hand-made deckle-edged paper specially commissioned from Gangolf Ulbricht, printed in black (twice) and red, and the paper has our Arete watermark! As each sheet of paper is unique, some are larger than others, as you can see from Rich’s photos. You can also see clearly the size difference of the design between this and the numbered/Fine editions, I am so pleased with the airy elegance that the 50% larger book allows for the metal type, and master printing, and the art prints to really be shown off. Some things are only doable when each book is unique!

We at Arete love Phil’s metal type, master printer at work!

Just going to leave this here. Thanks Neil!

It’s coming! Rich sent us some photos of the work he’s been doing the last few days on the Artist/Lettered edition of Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Case of Death and Honey’, you can see one, nearly finished, book with the original art inlaid into the Bradel bound cover. Rich said it was one of the most hair-raising jobs he has ever done! The art needs to be put in place first time, there is no going back! There are a pile of covers, in the process of being worked. You can also see the foil blocked leather for the base of the small tray of the solander box, stacks of collated prints for the portfolios and a pile of boards glued and under a massive weight for the wells of the solander boxes. Because of the UK’s bank holiday next week, Ludlow’s will be sending these out after the break.

Repost!! From Instagram @nanica, another customer.

It’s here, and it is a thing of beauty! A Case of Death and Honey by Neil Gaiman, in a gorgeous limited edition carefully crafted by Arete Editions. So glad I took the plunge. ❤️📖

Repost from another happy customer!

Instagram @finereadsandquills: “Absolutely blown away! The most beautiful book I own. The Case of Death and Honey by @neilhimself @areteeditions 2022 with the companion volume of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventure of the Creeping Man Illustrated by @gary_gianni_art ❤️❤️❤️ Letterpress printed by @handandeye.london and bound by Rich Tong @ludlowbookbinders”

Repost from a happy customer! I wish we could repost more, but they are seen in private groups and we’ve seen some amazing and lovely reactions and photos, thank you all so much!

Instagram @lucybranamsmileyface

“Look what came in the mail yesterday: “The Case of Death and Honey” Fine Edition from @areteeditions. It’s gorgeous, and I can’t wait to read it! 🐝🕵🏻 #neilgaiman #sherlockholmes #books #fancybooks”

Numbered edition of ‘The Case of Death and Honey’ are out the door! Well, last ones go out today or tomorrow. Next week is the Artist/lettered edition…

Master printer Phil Abel, co owner of Arete, owner of Hand and Eye has just printed the title page of Words of Fire, Neil Gaiman’s slim book of personally chosen poems, look how tasty this metal type printed letterpress is!