Black Letter Press

I just placed an order for the Sidereus Nuncius from the Black Letter Press.
https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/sidereus-nuncius-galileo-galilei

It looks to be a nice little book fitting for my small collection of latin texts. I will post some photos when I have received my copy.

>1 Hellbent2:
Look like a very nice little book, and very reasonably priced.
The same book has been published in a very nice edition by Levenger Press. See-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warwick_carter/25632937135/in/photolist-F46vaZ

>1 Hellbent2: Is Black Letter Press a letterpress shop?

>1 Hellbent2:
Looks really nice, but it feels odd to pay 35 euros for the book and 23 euros for shipping to the US.

>3 ultrarightist:
I really have no idea. Maybe some one else here knows? I suppose, given the price, that it's not.

>4 kermaier:
That is a steep shipping cost for sure. I'm in Europe so it was slightly cheaper for me.

>2 wcarter:
Thank you. The Levenger book looks stunning. I have not heard about that press before. They seem to be producing quite a few very interesting titles.

I think it's very safe to say it's not letterpress - judging both by their prices and the fact that letterpress is never mentioned anywhere on their site. Any active press using letterpress would be marketing it.

>7 elladan0891: I think you're right.

Black Letter Press is having a 24-hour flash sale, if anyone has been eyeing a title.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/

>9 Shadekeep:, Thanks, I ordered Sidereus Nuncius during the 24 hour flash sale!

>10 Betelgeuse: Excellent! I'd be curious to hear your opinion of it, it's still on my "to be acquired at some point" list.

>11 Shadekeep: I will let you know once it arrives!

>10 Betelgeuse: Nice! It's an enjoyable little book -- and I do mean "little", at approximately 10.5 x 17 cm. Note that, rather than facing pages, the full Latin text is presented first, separated from the English text by a blank leaf.

>13 kermaier: Good to know! I am okay with the small size, I actually like smaller books. And thanks for the clarification about where the English is. I had to have a copy of this because I've been a life-long amateur astronomer, and I enjoyed reading Sidereus Nuncius in high school. I also have this probably unrealistic idea that I can teach myself Latin in my retirement, so maybe this little volume will assist.

BLP is taking pre-orders now for Giordano Bruno's De Magia. It's being issued in both hardcover and softcover. I backed it on KS, good to see it's nearing completion.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/giordano-bruno-de-magia-1

>15 Shadekeep: I may have to get that!

>16 Betelgeuse: If you like the quality and construction of Sidereus Nuncius when it arrives, then this title could be a worthy acquisition for you indeed!

I backed another of their books which is further down the pike that I am also looking forward to - Dreams of Witches — The Treadwell's Selection.

>17 Shadekeep: Wow, Dreams of Witches looks beautiful, but probably not my subject matter of choice. I'm not really into magic, either -- it's Giordano Bruno that interests me, rather than De Magia itself, so I'll have to give it some thought. And I'll have to keep an eye on future publications from Black Letter Press, now that I've discovered it on this forum. If I didn't already have the Folio Society edition of Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, I'd probably go for the Black Letter Press version.

>11 Shadekeep: Just arrived, and it's an understated beauty, I love it. Galileo charted the motion of what he at first thought were stars around the disc of Jupiter, only to realize later that they must be moons, and thus a revolution was born.

>19 Betelgeuse: Excellent, I'm glad you like it, and thanks for your impressions. It will probably end up in my own collection sooner rather than later, now.

Another new title landed from BLP - Abu al-Kindi — De Radiis

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/abu-al-kindi-de-radiis

I don't recall hearing pre-announcements of this one, though that doesn't mean there weren't any. Looks promising.

BLP is on a bit of a roll lately, another new grimoire in the catalogue - Enchiridion Leonis Papae

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/enchiridion-leonis-papae

First edition is in a limitation of 333 numbered copies. Half a Beast?

BLP has a sale starting today and running until July 10th. Looks like every title is discounted, including pre-orders.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/

BLP has a new Kickstarter ending soon: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackletterpress/hypnerotomachia-poliphili

Not quite my thing, but I appreciate that they have an editorial vision and are sticking to it.

They also have a new book forthcoming, another in their line of W. B. Yeats titles.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/w-b-yeats-a-vision

BLP has just added a new title to their Gothic horror line - The Castle of Otranto.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/horace-walpole-the-castle-of-otra...

Halloween Sale in effect until Nov 1, use code HelloooBLP20 for 20% off everything.

Storewide Black Friday sale going on at BLP, no coupon needed.

And another sale happening at the moment.

>29 Shadekeep: And another kickstarter announced today : Hidden Paths - A Foolish Fish's Guide to Magick

>30 antinous_in_london: Indeed! The sale is meant to coincide with the new KS, they often pair such things up. Here's a link to the KS for the curious:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackletterpress/hidden-paths-a-foolish-fis...

I might be interested in The Castle of Otranto, but the product page is a bit thin on details (size? materials? illustrations?). Is anyone aware of any sources of such information?

I might be interested in the Washington Irving volume, but the size is listed as 160mm x 100mm, which would put the short side at just under 4" - could that possibly be accurate? I suppose anything is possible in the world of small publishers, but this feels unlikely.

>32 St._Troy: I suggest acquiring the Folio Society edition of the Castle of Otranto. A very nice production.

>32 St._Troy: That's correct. A number of their fiction volumes are around the same size as old fiction "pocket books". For example, I had a second edition of The King In Yellow from around 1900 which was about this size. Here's two of their titles in this range with a ruler and my hand for comparison.

Pre-orders are up for the newest release, The Monk by Matthew Lewis.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/matthew-gregory-lewis-the-monk

BLP needs to do better in providing more pictures of their releases.

I've looked at their website a few times and thought the title sounded interesting but never actually ordered because I wasn't sure what I would actually be getting.

Is the title illustrated or not? Some of their titles appear to be but the descriptions and lack of pictures of the interior contents leave it all so vague.

>36 NoBueno: Aye, they could up their marketing game, especially as many of their books are quite attractive in person. This one doesn't even have the summary information yet that their other volumes have, such as the binding and so forth, so I believe it's a very early announcement for regular customers and fans of the gothic fiction line. I expect the listing to be updated, though probably will still be light on photos.

>37 Shadekeep: So out of curiosity, did you end up getting Pseudomonarchia Daemonum? That was one I was interested in and have seen other versions online with interesting illustrations (this title lends itself to that) but could not tell if the BLP had any illustrations other than the one shown on the pic of the title page.

>38 NoBueno: I actually tossed that into the order I placed today along with The Monk. Due to the shipping costs I tend to hold off when there is one title I want until there is at least a second to bundle in. It takes the sting out of the fee.

I also have the edition from Abracax House if you are looking for a nicely illustrated one.

https://abracax.com/false-hierarchy/

I have their two-volume Infernal Dictionary as well, it's a big'un.

>36 NoBueno: I wrote to BLP suggesting they could spruce up their pages and received this nice reply in kind:

You are right, we are updating all the pages at the moment, for example:
https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/william-blake-for-the-sexes-the-g...

we are only 2 people working on everything, from the idea to the final book, from customer care to the promotion, and
so on... it's a bit overwhelming but we do our best to keep everything in order and at the highest standards.

I figured they were a small outfit, like most of these (the similar Troy Books is a pair of passionate publishers and some support staff). Good to see they are working towards making the online catalogue more friendly.

Yeah they deserve some slack, especially since they are tackling such niche titles they probably couldn't be much bigger and still make money.

I went ahead and ordered a copy of the BLP Pseudomonarchia Daemonum that I found from a shop in the US (so I was able to avoid the higher shipping costs and my bank's conversion fees). It will be my first BLP book and I'm excited to finally check out one of their titles in person.

>41 NoBueno: Good deal, hope you enjoy it! Where did you order through? I might use them myself in future.

>42 Shadekeep: It was listed on Abebooks by Crossroads Books out of Reno, NV. They appear to have a few new BLP books they are selling.

>43 NoBueno: Cool, thanks.

new big sale running now: https://www.blackletter-press.com/shop

Interesting new translation of this 5th century work coming from BLP - The Martyrdom of St Cyprian by Aelia Eudocia Augusta.

https://www.blackletter-press.com/product-page/aelia-eudocia-augusta-the-martyrd...

new Kickstarter happening now: Giordano Bruno "Ars Memoriae"

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackletterpress/giordano-bruno-ars-memoria...

A seasonal offering from BLP - Schneider von Groot's Christmas Dream. It's a hardbound with an illustrated accordion-folded interior.

Just an FYI to any Canadians interested in the BLP books; they can be purchased from Anathema publishing in Quebec.

https://www.anathemapublishing.com/

New release from BLP in their literature series - The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket.

Heads up to US customers - OrbitDVD is now carrying a selection of Black Letter Press books if you want to avoid international shipping fees.

OrbitDVD is mostly known for their import boutique blu-rays and 4ks but they also have lots of books, mostly related to occult, horror, film, and pop culture.

>50 Shadekeep: I continue to hope for a new fine press edition of The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym.

I think it would be the perfect anchor text for a Conversation Tree Press Poe "Weird" volume if they branch out from the obvious stories, but could also make an interesting Amaranthine or Arete edition.

>51 LeBacon: Miskatonic Books is also a US vendor, and a good way to get around the hideous shipping costs. They don't have this one in stock yet, but hopefully soon.

>52 NathanOv: Agreed, a new fine press edition of this story is a perpetual want from me. Especially with the right illustrator.

SUMMER SALE Up to 40% Off!

Notice on homepage...

We are on vacation from July 12th to July 29th, so no orders will be shipped during this period. However, our sale continues, and you can still place orders and enjoy our fantastic deals.

Their latest Kickstarter went live today: Reginald Scot's The Discoverie of Witchcraft.

Looks pretty good, 80 of the collector's editions remaining at the moment, and if you do make a pledge you can add on some of their other books for a discount too.

Why is there a BLP thread in the Fine Press Forum? Lol...

>56 Inceptic: Mostly for their reprints and literature series, which often contains titles of interest to folks here. They are more properly a small press rather than a fine press and probably should have OT: at the start of their thread title like other non-fine presses, but overall there seems to have been enough interest to warrant their inclusion.

Pretty groovy new title from BLP, a mix of translation and facsimile reproductions - Erbario



Erbario is a large and extraordinary illustrated herbal created in Italy around 1400.

This manuscript stands out for its unique combination of about 180 botanical illustrations and textual annotations, offering a rich glimpse into medieval and early Renaissance knowledge of plants and their medicinal uses. It features three distinct styles of illustration, each contributing to the manuscript’s layered and evolving character.

>58 Shadekeep:
Thanks. Enabled.

The two-volume Hypnerotomachia Poliphili arrived today, will get into it this evening. Initial impression is positive.

>62 LT79: Happy to do so. A quick glance through the facsimile is that it's nice but visually crowded, with the typeface being a bit busy at the point size. The translation is both a slightly slimmer and yet more visually relaxed volume, happily. I'll see how the translation scans, but in general I concur that a more accessible translation can be a useful adjunct to a purely scholarly version. There are certain archaic texts that I have both types of translations for, and while I appreciate the context the scholarly translation provides, for reading enjoyment I more often resort to the accessible version.

I don't know if anyone considering buying this edition would find this chap's YouTube review of use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6bkU1Mg9BI

I've got the 2003 reprint of Joscelyn Godwin's 1999 translation. The reprint's a normal hardback size (i.e. about 24cm x 16cm), but it's only a third of the size of the 1999 edition

The 1999 edition is the same size as the Latin original. I saw a copy of the 1999 edition once, on a book cart in the Oxford branch of Blackwells. Stupidly I didn't even enquire into its price and availablity. The original Latin text, naturally, wouldn't have been cramped given the book's generous size.

>66 LT79: I got about 65 pages into the book last night, it reads well. It still has enough archaic flare to make it feel period, but isn't wed to retaining syntax at the expense of clarity.

The book does expect you to have a well-rounded knowledge of subjects like mythology, history, botany, and architecture, as it throws out names, terms, and allusions without elaboration. But this is a trait of the source text and not a fault of the translation. I suspect the folks on this forum are broadly read enough to not let this daunt them. So I would say that if you are looking for a comparatively accessible version of the text, this one should fit the bill nicely.

Erbario arrived yesterday, it's a very nice facsimile. Good size too, notably larger than most BLP titles. The majority of the book is reproductions of the original pages without comment, and then a section of notes at the end. The reproductions themselves are of good quality.

>70 LT79: Thanks for the lead on Aula Lucis, they are new to me too (and I seek out occult publishers). Their stuff does look good on the website, superior in some ways to BLP stuff. Another press that does nice editions of occult works is Troy Books. They publish both new and classic works, usually in multiple editions for each title, though I believe virtually all of it is offset printing.

>71 Shadekeep: I’ve always wanted a collection of occult books. I unabashedly loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer back in the day and Giles’ library of esoteric occult knowledge was my dream despite being comprised of mostly fictional titles.

>72 yolana: Now is a good time to collect such works, there is a notable grassroots interest in the occult. Tarot decks are enjoying a similar heyday, I have probably 25-30 variants of those, many produced within the past 10 years.

If you are interested in the background of occult literature as well, I highly recommend the Magic In History series from Penn State University. It's academic work rather than source volumes of occult, but contains a lot of fascinating material. I loved Magic in the Cloister on the history of illicit magical texts, and am enjoying Speculum Lapidum on the magical virtues of stones.

>74 LT79: Indeed, I'd love a few old grimoires and magical treatises in fine press format. A good excuse to bring back those big, heavy brass clasps on books too, as such forbidden lore is meant to be locked away from the casual gaze.

>75 Shadekeep: A bit OT, but this brings to mind Oak Knoll's Imaginary Books, which also has an exhibit that currently is at the Book Club of California. The Necronomicon is part of the exhibit, which is what made me think of this in the context of occult books. The exhibit can be viewed online, and I highly recommend the 3 videos at the top right of the page for anyone interested in this type of literary fantasy.

>76 A.Nobody: Nifty, thanks!

>78 LT79: Exactly. If clasps are good enough for a My Little Pony diary, they should be fine on The Complete Works of Paracelsus.

>71 Shadekeep: I have a few Aula Lucis titles and can vouch for their quality and tasteful design (though not quite fine press, they are at about the same level as Ouroboros Press, if you are familiar with their work).

Glad to take photos if anyone is curious (I would start a new thread).

The publisher(s) seem to be occult practitioners, but they are releasing titles of academic interest (in the sense of the history of ideas) and collaborating with academic specialists.

>73 Shadekeep: Thank you for the suggestions, that Magic in History series looks very grab worthy, do you have favorites?

>80 abysswalker: Splendid, thanks for the info! And a photo thread might be a nice thing indeed, as some of the books look very lovely. I'm rather tempted by Alchemy Rising: The White Book. It mentions it's the second in the Alchemy Rising series, but I don't seem to be able to locate the first.

>81 yolana: I do! The two I mentioned earlier are excellent (Magic in the Cloister and Speculum Lapidum). Also recommended is The Long Life of Magical Objects, which is a survey of the magical items attributed to King Solomon. Picatrix is a valuable insight into this medieval classic, and probably the closest of the series to an actual grimoire. And an interesting volume is the deceptively named The Bathhouse at Midnight, which is in fact a look into the history of Russian magic. Not a subject you see a plethora of works on!

They also have a parallel series, Magic in History Sourcebooks, which are slimmer volumes that focus on translations of source texts. You may find those of interest as well.

>83 LT79: Thanks, that's useful info. The do look like they could be quite big in the photos, so it's handy knowing the actual size.

>82 Shadekeep: Thank you!

Summer sale on-going for anyone interested: https://www.blackletter-press.com/shop

New Kickstarter from BLP of a previously untranslated work, Clavis Artis. Looks pretty interesting given its provenance and history, and I like the design of the interior. I've stumped for the linen bound edition, as I'm not entirely sold on vegan leather bindings yet.

>87 Shadekeep: I'm hoping for a fruit leather bound edition.

>88 Glacierman: Would snake skin suffice?

>89 TudorBlackPress: Oooooo. That would work, but to be honest, a fruit leather binding would be more palatable. 😉

>87 Shadekeep:
Thanks for the information. I have ordered the Collector's edition.
Pity there is no slipcase.

>91 wcarter: Yes, there are only a few editions from BLP that I've seen with a case. The two-volume Artisanal Edition of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili has a slipcase, as does For the Sexes: The Gates of Paradise. And the Artisanal Edition of of Giordano Bruno — De Magia comes in a gorgeous clamshell. But in general cases seem very much the exception rather than the rule with them.

Ooh wish I'd known about BLP when the collector's edition of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili was still available - I'm low key obsessed with that book.

>93 Another_Bibliomane: I think there's one available on Anathema Publishing website.