Private Press and Fine Printing from Oak Knoll Books
Fine Printing and Private Press in Great Britain.
By Michael Stillman
Oak Knoll Books, of New Castle, Delaware, issued two new catalogues this summer. Oak Knoll is a specialist in "books about books." They are one of the premier resources for such items as bibliographies, books about collecting, bookselling, printing and binding, typography, and similar topics. They are also an excellent resource for limited editions, particularly from private and limited run presses, and for books with exceptional bindings, handmade paper, and similar outstanding features. We are not aware of anyone else with such a large inventory of books within this category.
Oak Knoll's catalogue 260 is titled Fine Printing and Private Press in 20th Century Great Britain. A second section within the catalogue is headed, "Books about private press, fine printing, and their creators." This is a surprisingly large collection of British private press works for an American bookseller, with 711 items listed. Normally in these reviews, we select a few examples of the works offered, but mentioning titles misses the point with these works. It's the press, or the printing and binding that is notable more than the particular title. Sadly, this reviewer must admit to a lack of familiarity with British private presses, so it is hard to select which to describe. However, here are a few names whose work even I have heard about: Golden Cockerel Press and Nonesuch Press. There are 29 items offered from Golden Cockerel, and 37 from Nonesuch. However, there are dozens of other, less well-known presses represented, and print runs generally range from a few dozens to a few hundred.
Here is just one example: Beer Will Help Your Shake, the Recollections of a Ninety-Two Year Old Papermaker. Shaking has to do with aligning fibers in the paper, but one suspects the old gentleman was just looking for an excuse to have a drink on the job. This 1990 Alembic Press item records an interview with Harry Glanville, a retired papermaker, conducted by Peter Thomas. It is unlikely you will find anything else written about Glanville's career, and you won't find many copies of this one either, as only 114 were printed. Priced at $125.
The second catalogue, number 261, is not for antiquarian collectors. Its title is Private Press and Fine Printing - 2000 to 2005. This catalogue offers works from both British and American private presses, adding names such as Bird and Bull to the list. Another 144 items are included, all published within the past five years.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
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Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
![<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9a74d9ff-42dd-46a1-8bb2-b636c4cec796.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.")
