Euripedes’ “Hippolytos” - A different Fine Press book
Talk Fine Press Forum
Join LibraryThing to post.
1Glacierman
Euripides. Hippolytos. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, (2006). Retold by Sirish Rao and Gita Wolf. Illustrated by Indrapramit Roy. Hardcover; 28 unnumbered pages; 11" x 8.25" (280 × 210 mm). ISBN: 978-0-89236-864-8. $35.10.
What constitutes a Fine Press book? Are they books printed by a particular technology only or are they books which demonstrate the finest expression of the book arts, regardless of the technology used to produce them? Certainly, a well-printed letterpress book qualifies as Fine Press, but I agree with those who claim that the term encompasses a broader view and accepts books produced by methods other than lead type.
This book, Hippolytos from the J. Paul Getty Museum is one such book. This book is a well printed work of art. The color illustrations in a Greek style are stunning and the typography is excellent. It is produced entirely by hand. The thick paper is made from recycled cotton and has a wonderful texture, pleasing to the touch, making reading this book a sensual experience. The illustrations are printed in a limited palette of black, brown and blue, with white space for the fourth color. They are magnificent! The text is printed in brown and black. What makes this book even more fascinating is that it is printed entirely by silk-screen, which requires multiple screens, one for each color. Truly, each page is an original work of art, a tactile and visual pleasure.
The book is bound by hand in boards, and the paper stock used to cover it appears to be the same as used for the text. The books are produced in the workshops of Tara Publishing in Chennai, India.
There are three more in the Greek drama series, all entirely handmade: the Bacchae, Oedipus and Antigone. I will be adding all three to my Fine Press collection, and I heartily recommend that you do, too!
Available from Tara Books. Shipping from India is by DHL and dispatch is quick. Be sure to watch the production video.
FRONT COVER
END PAPERS
TITLE PAGE
INTERIOR PAGES SHOWING TYPOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATIONS
What constitutes a Fine Press book? Are they books printed by a particular technology only or are they books which demonstrate the finest expression of the book arts, regardless of the technology used to produce them? Certainly, a well-printed letterpress book qualifies as Fine Press, but I agree with those who claim that the term encompasses a broader view and accepts books produced by methods other than lead type.
This book, Hippolytos from the J. Paul Getty Museum is one such book. This book is a well printed work of art. The color illustrations in a Greek style are stunning and the typography is excellent. It is produced entirely by hand. The thick paper is made from recycled cotton and has a wonderful texture, pleasing to the touch, making reading this book a sensual experience. The illustrations are printed in a limited palette of black, brown and blue, with white space for the fourth color. They are magnificent! The text is printed in brown and black. What makes this book even more fascinating is that it is printed entirely by silk-screen, which requires multiple screens, one for each color. Truly, each page is an original work of art, a tactile and visual pleasure.
The book is bound by hand in boards, and the paper stock used to cover it appears to be the same as used for the text. The books are produced in the workshops of Tara Publishing in Chennai, India.
There are three more in the Greek drama series, all entirely handmade: the Bacchae, Oedipus and Antigone. I will be adding all three to my Fine Press collection, and I heartily recommend that you do, too!
Available from Tara Books. Shipping from India is by DHL and dispatch is quick. Be sure to watch the production video.
FRONT COVER
END PAPERS
TITLE PAGE
INTERIOR PAGES SHOWING TYPOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATIONS
2johnbean9
Thanks for sharing. I love how the blue pops on these pages. And I also like how the other books in this series use different color schemes. A lovely collection all around and, I agree, worthy of the fine press designation.
3thebooksinmylife
The production is wonderful and all the Tara Books handmade editions are worthy of collecting. An uplifting story of publishing and working with local traditions. Check out the Brer Rabbit Retold, https://tarabooks.com/shop/brer-rabbit-retold/ .
I have 19 of the handmade examples from Tara Books. Just a wonderful operation.
I have 19 of the handmade examples from Tara Books. Just a wonderful operation.
4Glacierman
And may I apologize to one and all for misspelling 'Euripides' in the thread title? Fat finger syndrome, I guess.
5bacchus.
^ well in Greek is Ευριπίδης so the two "i"s stand on better ground - but from a pronunciation point of view the misspelling would sound more right :)
6venkysuniverse
>1 Glacierman: I second your thoughts and can thoroughly recommend Tara books. Their books are made with a lot of care and expertise and excellent value for money!
7wcarter
>1 Glacierman:
Comsider me enabled. Thank you.
Comsider me enabled. Thank you.
