1Sport1963
Earlier this year I came across a couple of titles by this small press out of Louisville, KY: Hemingway's "Big Two-Hearted River" and J. D. Salinger's "A Perfect Day for Bananafish". Does anyone here have any opinions or experience with Contre Coup? Would love to hear if it worth trying to hunt down some of their titles. Are they another Red Angel Press?
2vadim_ca
>1 Sport1963:
Although I don’t know much about this press or its proprietor (I believe it is Timothy Hawley), I do have a copy of one of his books - “Deep Play - Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” by Clifford Geertz. I have purchased my copy directly from the proprietor about eight years ago - my sole interest in this book was beautiful illustrations by a Canadian wood engraver Wesley W. Bates. Overall, the books is very well made - above average. It was hand-set at the press in Bembo cast at Swamp Press and Typefoundry and printed on Frankfurt paper using a Vandercook SP20 press. The wood engravings were printed directly from the blocks. It is hardbound with a matching slipcase. The edition size is small - only 25 regulars and 8 specials. (Looks like there is a copy available for sale on ABE if you want to see pictures.) My only complain, and it is a small one, is the size of the inside margins. They are too small as compared to the other margins. However, everything else about the book is spot on and I would recommend it.
Unfortunately I don’t believe that I came across any of his other books since acquiring “Deep Play”. I just did a quick search and found one of his books printed in 2019 on sale with the following note in the description. “The final imprint of the press, with an appended "Obituary for a Private Press" by Timothy Hawley, a concluding summary of 40 years of printing and over 75 books and chapbooks and nearly 100 broadsides and other types of ephemera.” Given the number of books and broadsides that he printed, I am sure there is someone here who knows a lot more about this press than I do; however, going by a single example of his work, I would suggest giving his books a try.
Although I don’t know much about this press or its proprietor (I believe it is Timothy Hawley), I do have a copy of one of his books - “Deep Play - Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” by Clifford Geertz. I have purchased my copy directly from the proprietor about eight years ago - my sole interest in this book was beautiful illustrations by a Canadian wood engraver Wesley W. Bates. Overall, the books is very well made - above average. It was hand-set at the press in Bembo cast at Swamp Press and Typefoundry and printed on Frankfurt paper using a Vandercook SP20 press. The wood engravings were printed directly from the blocks. It is hardbound with a matching slipcase. The edition size is small - only 25 regulars and 8 specials. (Looks like there is a copy available for sale on ABE if you want to see pictures.) My only complain, and it is a small one, is the size of the inside margins. They are too small as compared to the other margins. However, everything else about the book is spot on and I would recommend it.
Unfortunately I don’t believe that I came across any of his other books since acquiring “Deep Play”. I just did a quick search and found one of his books printed in 2019 on sale with the following note in the description. “The final imprint of the press, with an appended "Obituary for a Private Press" by Timothy Hawley, a concluding summary of 40 years of printing and over 75 books and chapbooks and nearly 100 broadsides and other types of ephemera.” Given the number of books and broadsides that he printed, I am sure there is someone here who knows a lot more about this press than I do; however, going by a single example of his work, I would suggest giving his books a try.
3Sport1963
>2 vadim_ca: Thank you. Hope we get some additional feedback about Contre Coup.
4kermaier
I recently picked up a copy of their printing of Greta Thunberg’s speech to the UN in 2019, “We’ll Be Watching You”. A short piece, well printed in very nice paper wrap, one of 25 copies.
I suspect they have a number of publications with very small print runs, that don’t pop up for sale very often.
I suspect they have a number of publications with very small print runs, that don’t pop up for sale very often.
5Esoterics
I purchased the Hemingway and Salinger books this year from Abe Books. I also purchased a few smaller works by Greta, Twain, and JFK. I’ve appreciated everything I’ve received; nice materials, well crafted, deep letterpress, etc. I would definitely recommend.
In fact, occasionally I continue my search for a few more books from the Press. There’s another Twain, a Bradbury, and possibly a Steinbeck. I’m not sure on the Steinbeck because there’s no bibliography and I can’t find much info about the press online.
In fact, occasionally I continue my search for a few more books from the Press. There’s another Twain, a Bradbury, and possibly a Steinbeck. I’m not sure on the Steinbeck because there’s no bibliography and I can’t find much info about the press online.
6Sport1963
>5 Esoterics: The Contre Coup Steinbeck title is "Leader of the People". I believe that G. F. Wilkinson Books (San Francisco) has the title available. I've dealt with Rick Wilkinson, the owner and he is fair and knowledgeable. He mentioned that he is planning to have the book up for sale at the up-coming Santa Monica bookfair. Good luck in your hunt.
7abysswalker
>2 vadim_ca: for those unfamiliar, Geertz is a towering figure in anthropology. The Interpretation of Cultures would be his most recognizable book, probably. (No endorsement intended.) That work was listed by the TLS as one of the 100 most important books published after the Second World War.
Interesting that some of his essays have gotten a fine press treatment.
Interesting that some of his essays have gotten a fine press treatment.
