1Glacierman
I am no fan of contemporary/modern poetry. While I do own a few books of same, they were obtained as examples of the work of certain presses and not for their literary merit. While there are a few exceptions (Instructions to the Double by Tess Gallagher, Graywolf Press, 1976 and A Tear in the Eye of the Eagle by David Ernst, Calliopea Press, 1979), they are in the distinct minority. My tastes tend to run more towards John Keats or Thomas Campbell (Scottish, d. 1844) or if I really want to get modern, e. e. cummings. My wife was a major Browning fan.
I have been turned. The following two books from Sutton Hoo Press (Chad Oness) have completely enchanted me. I am undone.
I will deal with each book separately, the first one now and the second to follow later.
There is one thing these two books have in common: each is a gestalt: everything about each one, the binding, paper, printing, text, etc. combines to create something more. I can’t really describe it, but each work draws you in, inviting you to linger over its pages, absorbing the pleasure of stroking the texture of the paper in a very sensuous experience, appreciating the typography and the expertise of the printing, the verbal and mental pleasure of the poems.... These books make me WANT to pick them up, to caress the pages with my fingers and my eyes. I’ve never experienced anything quite like this.
Delmira Agustini. A Flock of Scarlet Doves. Stockton (MN): Sutton Hoo Press, (2005). Translated by Valerie Martinez, lino cuts by Adrián Tió. Approx. 150 copies on handmade Japanese Iyo Glazed paper; set in Eric Gill’s Joanna. Bound into rust colored cloth boards, printed label on spine; top edge trimmed, others untrimmed leaving the lovely deckles.
The cloth of the binding has a wonderful feel to it, very silkily sensual to the touch, which compliments the smoothly rough texture of the paper, a positive pleasure to handle while reading. The Joanna type is used well and is printed with a slight bite. The introduction by the translator is printed in the beautiful italic while the poems are in Joanna roman. The page layout uses generous margins in a near-perfect ratio resulting in a very beautiful double page view.
The linocut illustrations are printed combinations of brown, yellow and red and are perfect for the text.
The author is Uruguayan, and I’d never heard of her, so the four page introduction was quite welcome and very informative, helping me to better understand and appreciate the poems.
I love reading this book, although I must confess I sometimes find myself pausing in my reading to just fondle the pages, enjoying the feel of the paper. This is a winner.
To get a larger view, left click on the image. And ignore the cat hairs.
I have been turned. The following two books from Sutton Hoo Press (Chad Oness) have completely enchanted me. I am undone.
I will deal with each book separately, the first one now and the second to follow later.
There is one thing these two books have in common: each is a gestalt: everything about each one, the binding, paper, printing, text, etc. combines to create something more. I can’t really describe it, but each work draws you in, inviting you to linger over its pages, absorbing the pleasure of stroking the texture of the paper in a very sensuous experience, appreciating the typography and the expertise of the printing, the verbal and mental pleasure of the poems.... These books make me WANT to pick them up, to caress the pages with my fingers and my eyes. I’ve never experienced anything quite like this.
Delmira Agustini. A Flock of Scarlet Doves. Stockton (MN): Sutton Hoo Press, (2005). Translated by Valerie Martinez, lino cuts by Adrián Tió. Approx. 150 copies on handmade Japanese Iyo Glazed paper; set in Eric Gill’s Joanna. Bound into rust colored cloth boards, printed label on spine; top edge trimmed, others untrimmed leaving the lovely deckles.
The cloth of the binding has a wonderful feel to it, very silkily sensual to the touch, which compliments the smoothly rough texture of the paper, a positive pleasure to handle while reading. The Joanna type is used well and is printed with a slight bite. The introduction by the translator is printed in the beautiful italic while the poems are in Joanna roman. The page layout uses generous margins in a near-perfect ratio resulting in a very beautiful double page view.
The linocut illustrations are printed combinations of brown, yellow and red and are perfect for the text.
The author is Uruguayan, and I’d never heard of her, so the four page introduction was quite welcome and very informative, helping me to better understand and appreciate the poems.
I love reading this book, although I must confess I sometimes find myself pausing in my reading to just fondle the pages, enjoying the feel of the paper. This is a winner.
To get a larger view, left click on the image. And ignore the cat hairs.
2SebRinelli
>1 Glacierman: thanks for the review!
3Shadekeep
>1 Glacierman: Lovely book indeed, and thanks again for the recommendation, as well as this review. Sutton Hoo does indeed do beautiful work with the intent of all elements meshing together.
4ChestnutPress
>1 Glacierman: That's a lovely volume!
5Glacierman
Philip Levine. Naming / a poem. (Winona, MN:): Sutton Hoo, 2004. Sutton Hoo Select No. 4. 72 unnumbered pages, 5" x 7 ½". 200 copies in printed boards. 26 lettered copies printed on Nideggan and Johannot papers, 174 printed on Indian handmade paper. Printed from hand-set Bembo. Edges untrimmed. Calligraphic ornaments by Cheryl Jacobsen.
What is initially the most striking feature of this lovely book is the binding structure. The sewn spine is not glued and is visible; the boards are flush with the text at top and bottom leaving a square only on the fore edge. The thread ends are looped through the boards. The illustrations below show this structure in its simplicity.
Another interesting feature is the calligraphic ornaments printed in shades of blue that span the covers and are repeated throughout the book, from the end papers on through the text block, excepting the text pages themselves. These ornaments link the whole book together, a nice touch.
My copy is printed on the Indian handmade paper, and it is a lovely paper, with a pleasing texture. The size makes it very easy to handle and enjoy Levine’s autobiographical poem in which he explores his roots in Motor City, USA (Detroit, MI). Mr. Levine passed away in 2015.
Take your time reading this long poem. Another winner!
That binding just fascinates me....
What is initially the most striking feature of this lovely book is the binding structure. The sewn spine is not glued and is visible; the boards are flush with the text at top and bottom leaving a square only on the fore edge. The thread ends are looped through the boards. The illustrations below show this structure in its simplicity.
Another interesting feature is the calligraphic ornaments printed in shades of blue that span the covers and are repeated throughout the book, from the end papers on through the text block, excepting the text pages themselves. These ornaments link the whole book together, a nice touch.
My copy is printed on the Indian handmade paper, and it is a lovely paper, with a pleasing texture. The size makes it very easy to handle and enjoy Levine’s autobiographical poem in which he explores his roots in Motor City, USA (Detroit, MI). Mr. Levine passed away in 2015.
Take your time reading this long poem. Another winner!
That binding just fascinates me....
6Shadekeep
>5 Glacierman: Wow! You were telling me what a handsome volume this is, but seeing it broken down like this really shows it off. It's a beaut, and there is something compelling about that binding that draws one in. Thanks!
7Glacierman
>6 Shadekeep: Yeah. I think Chad hit a home run here.
8Sport1963
>5 Glacierman: That's a well executed example of a coptic binding. Earliest known examples of this method date to the 2nd century AD.
9Glacierman
>8 Sport1963: Thank you for that info. My knowledge of binding history/technique outside of Europe is shockingly lacking. I will fix that.
10SuttonHooPress
Hey thanks for the generous comments and nice photos, Glacierman!
And as a thank you for the terrific support I've felt for the press here lately, let me extend a thank you to you all by means of a "REVIEWER'S SPECIAL"!
For the holiday's these two titles from Sutton Hoo Press are offered to LT members for 30% off, shipping included. ($161/each)
Shoot me a PM to arrange the details.
And as a thank you for the terrific support I've felt for the press here lately, let me extend a thank you to you all by means of a "REVIEWER'S SPECIAL"!
For the holiday's these two titles from Sutton Hoo Press are offered to LT members for 30% off, shipping included. ($161/each)
Shoot me a PM to arrange the details.
