Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade [Hardcover]

David Jury (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004

Contemporary graphic designers, particularly those who have grown up with the computer playing an all-pervasive role in their work, are now discovering the potential of letterpress for its unique visual and tactile impact, made possible (in contrast to digital type) by its physical presence on the page. In parallel to the proliferation of digital typefaces and the dominance of computer typesetting and printing in trade publishing today, new, private letterpress publishers are on the increase. The principal reason for the re-emergence of letterpress as a potent medium in this new millennium is its creative potential, making it possible to express ideas and encouraging a more thoughtful, more intelligent use of type. This book celebrates the diversity of the original work being produced by graphic designers and typographers using letterpress around the world. It examines US and European private presses, top international graphic designers working with letterpress, how letterpress is being used as a commercial medium in developing countries and the continuing new developments in letterpress technology. This is a timely book designed to support the trend for non-computer design techniq

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Jury is editor of TypoGraphic and Head of Graphic Design at Colchester Institute, UK. He holds awards of excellence for his typographic work from the New York Type Club, the International Society of Typographic Designers and ICOGRADA. He is author of the RotoVision book About Face - Reviving the Rules of Typography. He lives and works in Essex, UK.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rotovision (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2880467845
• ISBN-13: 978-2880467845
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,793,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great stuff for printers & aficionados alike, August 16, 2004

By 

Moe Hong (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade (Hardcover)

not so much a technical manual but more an overview of contemporary use of letterpress, both as artform and a technique that works well in tandem with digital technology.. excellent photos & jury's writing is clear & concise. certainly worth the price.

4.0 out of 5 stars good summary of letterpress' history and discussion of its future, August 16, 2011

By 

liberal sprinkles - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade. David Jury (Paperback)

[ this is adapted from a longer review with photos at my blog liberal sprinkles ]

I have limited knowledge about letterpress so I found this book interesting. It is an updated edition of a book first published in 2004, which is timely as letterpress has made a comeback in recent years, and not just within the handmade community. Jury's book is a comprehensive take on the history of letterpress, which has been used commercially for over 500 years. He discusses the art and craft of this medium, digital technology and mass production versus handmade, design versus art versus craft. He says letterpress is "not innately superior" to digitally designed and mass-produced print and has to be flexible and stay relevant and functional, not just decorative to survive.

The book has some gorgeous examples of pages and materials printed by letterpress, wonderful for those interested in typography, print and design. Wouldn't it have been lovely, though, if it had a letterpressed cover?

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Price?, December 22, 2009

By 

Eugene U. Still "Joyful Listening Person" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade (Hardcover)

I haven't read this book. My comment is on the first review--last line. "Worth the price"? It's 600 DOLLARS (+/-). I love books and know that collectibles can run into the $millions. Surely, this is a fine book, but just maybe a work-a-day letterpress printer can find a more economical guide!