Barbarian Press

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Barbarian Press

1kdweber
maig 25, 2018, 2:55 pm

Oak Knoll Books is selling a selection of titles from the Barbarian Press. Barbarian Press titles have low limitations and do not come up that often on Abe or other selling sites. I've been wanting to add a title from this press to my collection for quite a while. I have no connection with either Oak Knoll Books or the Barbarian Press.

2Sorion
maig 25, 2018, 4:30 pm

That was a really great email Oak Knoll sent out. Thankfully, for my sake, there is nothing that I'm interested in there. However there are some books that will no doubt be of interest to others here.

https://www.oakknoll.com/advSearchResults.php?action=search&orderBy=relevanc...

3astropi
maig 25, 2018, 5:03 pm

One of these days, I'd like to see a copy of their Pericles for sale. I would never be able to afford it, but it would be heartening to know there are some still in the wild...

4jveezer
maig 25, 2018, 6:44 pm

They had some of these titles at their stall at the Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena this year. It was nice just to be able to see them and look through them, especially the deluxe editions, which I've rarely seen. I'm interested but unable in a few of them. Alas! But it is nice to see that some of their books are out there if you have the inclination and the wherewithall.

5gmacaree
maig 26, 2018, 6:30 pm

Thanks for this thread. My first Barbarian book is en route.

6jveezer
maig 26, 2018, 8:12 pm

>5 gmacaree: C'mon! Which one? We all live vicariously through each other! ;)

7gmacaree
maig 27, 2018, 3:09 am

>6 jveezer: The Splendor of a Morning. Was annoyed that it managed to get by me when it was released, so very gratified to pick it up now.

8Sorion
maig 27, 2018, 9:09 pm

>7 gmacaree: A great choice. That was my first book from BP and it’s just lovely. It holds prime of place in my poetry collection(which is my main collection) .

9jveezer
nov. 15, 2019, 11:58 pm

Just received a message from BP that their latest Endgrain Edition is starting to ship. In anticipation of the new edition featuring Richard Wagener, I've been looking through the two previous volumes, on Peter Lazarov and Simon Brett. These books are just so beautiful and amazing to those of use who love woodcut illustration.

If you love book illustration and woodcuts, I suggest you grab one of these if you can swing it and if they are not already all spoken for...

And it looks like the presses are now free for them to start presswork on their long-awaited Curwen Press title, Bordering on the Sublime.

10dlphcoracl
nov. 16, 2019, 8:12 am

>9 jveezer:

The Richard Wagener Endgrain Editions book will probably be the finest yet in this series. I am already on board for one of the deluxe copies and cannot wait for it to arrive.

11wongie
nov. 16, 2019, 2:36 pm

I'm not sure why this wasn't on my list; Wagener's works, from what I've seen online, suit my preference for landscapes over other types of subject matters, but now having been made aware of it's imminent shipping I might have to bump this up my purchase list above Foolscap's Holy Land which I'm surprised hasn't sold out yet. I'm sorely tempted for the deluxe given that it doesn't seem significantly more pricier than the standard edition.

12kdweber
nov. 16, 2019, 7:58 pm

For Wagener fans, I highly recommend California in Relief (2009) and The Sierra Nevada Suite (2013) both published by the Book Club of California.

13MobyRichard
nov. 16, 2019, 8:25 pm

>11 wongie:

All their books should be sold out. Don't know why they aren't more popular.

14Sorion
nov. 16, 2019, 8:27 pm

>13 MobyRichard: There is only so many of us on LT.

15dlphcoracl
nov. 16, 2019, 11:29 pm

>13 MobyRichard:

I would be quite surprised if the Foolscap Press 'Mandeville' does not sell out by midyear 2020. It was one of the collecting high points of this year for me - a beautiful and distinctive book with an incredible amount of hand workmanship and detailing (illumination of each individual page) by Peggy Gotthold that is all too rare.

16johnaba
nov. 17, 2019, 8:16 am

In anticipation of EE5 from Barbarian Press, I was looking at a few samples of Wagener's landscapes of mountains yesterday. I could get lost in staring at those for hours. Really looking forward to this one. I'm on board with a deluxe, so it should be special.

Also excited they are moving on to the big one now. I'm thinking "Bordering on the Sublime" may be one of the best books the Elsteds have ever done.

They have such excellent taste.

17wongie
nov. 18, 2019, 4:49 am

I was fortunate enough to reserve the very last deluxe copy of EE5 last night though this last one isn't due to hit the binder until around February so I will have to content myself with ogling at some photos that I hope some of you will be taking who are lucky enough to get some earlier copies.

And this is my fine press shopping done for 2019 and some of 2020; having saved up and ready for the Mad Parrot Wind in the Willows and this unexpected purchase of EE5 which took up the rest of my remaining budget for this year and some of next year's too it looks like i'll have to brush up on hibernation techniques that can get me through to spring on minimal food.

18kdweber
nov. 21, 2019, 1:03 am

Broke down and ordered EE5 on Monday. Looking forward to receiving my first Barbarian Press edition next year.

19kronnevik
nov. 29, 2019, 11:02 pm

20Sorion
nov. 30, 2019, 3:15 am

>19 kronnevik: Wow deluxe indeed! What a beautiful cover.

21ChampagneSVP
Editat: feb. 28, 2022, 11:47 am

Aquest missatge ha estat suprimit pel seu autor.

22ChampagneSVP
Editat: des. 17, 2021, 9:08 pm

Aquest missatge ha estat suprimit pel seu autor.

23kronnevik
des. 16, 2021, 11:47 pm

I have a copy of Rumour of a Shark for sale. PM if interested.

24PatsChoice
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 12:32 pm

I know there's virtually no shot, but if anyone would consider parting with their Pericles, I'm definitely your guy!

25ChampagneSVP
des. 20, 2021, 1:03 pm

>24 PatsChoice: Apparently the boxed portfolio of Simon Brett's prints for the book is still available directly from him if you want that in the meantime. It's 60 pages that include all 98 prints from 140 blocks for £1500. Pretty fair when you break it down per print. He made 21 sets and it's surprising they haven't all sold by now. I think most likely it's from lack of publicity. I wasn't aware he still had them until this week.

26PatsChoice
des. 20, 2021, 1:58 pm

>25 ChampagneSVP: Thank you for the heads up!

27Lukas1990
des. 20, 2021, 3:14 pm

>24 PatsChoice: I bet it would cost some 10 000 USD now :D A true masterpiece!

28astropi
des. 20, 2021, 3:43 pm

>27 Lukas1990: Publication price was $2000. It is gorgeous, and you never know. However, I'm very skeptical about that price. In fact, if I had to guess, I would say a copy would sell closer to $3000-4000.

29grifgon
des. 20, 2021, 3:53 pm

>28 astropi: I don't have a copy of "Pericles" myself, but I've handled plenty of them. I think your $3,000 to $4,000 is spot on, however I don't think I'd be *that* surprised to see $10,000 either.

I think "Pericles" is the fine press edition which I personally would pay the most to acquire. It's probably the consensus candidate for "Best fine press publication of the 21st century" and I imagine the price will only increase.

30astropi
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 4:12 pm

>29 grifgon: well, considering there are some 78 years left in the 21st century, I am okay with waiting before crowning Pericles king of fine press :)

A few thousand dollars for a book is already "crazy money" for most people, even those of us that spend too much on fine press. And the thing is, while Pericles is absolutely gorgeous, how many fine editions of Pericles have been produced? Many. Now, if you told me the BP Pericles was the greatest edition ever printed, I would not argue with you. Nevertheless, there are many options out there. On the other hand, how many fine press editions of Stardust are out there? Answer - one. So, I think it's important to take that into account. If someone offered to trade me Pericles for Stardust I would say no. That of course, might just be me...

31dlphcoracl
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 7:49 pm

>24 PatsChoice:
>27 Lukas1990:
>28 astropi:
>29 grifgon:

Forum Auctions November 25, 2021. With Buyer's Premium of 27.5%, 'Pericles' sold for $7,000.

https://www.forumauctions.co.uk/7/Barbarian-Press.-Shakespeare-William-The-Play-...

32MobyRichard
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 4:17 pm

>29 grifgon:
>31 dlphcoracl:

Yes the owner of Barbarian Press seems like an amazing guy. He sent an incredibly in-depth and learned reply to a question I had about their upcoming Ovid. I was too intimidated to reply...

33grifgon
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 4:22 pm

>30 astropi: Hahahahahaha, "so far," I should say.

>32 MobyRichard: Crispin is a real gent. Barbarian is a family operation, and it's been exciting to see that he and Jan's daughter is increasingly involved in the press' output. I suspect (and hope) that Barbarian Press will be around for a long time to come.

34kdweber
des. 20, 2021, 4:44 pm

>33 grifgon: Sort of like Whittington and Nomad Press

35jveezer
des. 20, 2021, 4:56 pm

>32 MobyRichard: I've been dreading and anticipating that Metamorphoses for at least a decade. Hope I can fit it in my shelf.

36SebRinelli
des. 20, 2021, 5:26 pm

>32 MobyRichard: Do you mind sharing the answer?
Like >35 jveezer:, I am anticipating it ever since I learned about the press.

37Lukas1990
des. 20, 2021, 6:08 pm

>31 dlphcoracl: And it was nine years ago! I stay with my guess of 10K :)

38ultrarightist
des. 20, 2021, 6:20 pm

>32 MobyRichard: Can you share the gist of his answer?

39astropi
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 7:46 pm

Auction from Jan 2020 - with engraving proofs! After buyer's premium, sold for $5100.
Two things, obviously this includes the proofs which in principle makes it substantially more valuable, and secondly, it sold for $5100 AFTER buyer's premium. Comparing it with the $7000 auction from 2012, means the book is now about 30% less valuable, not including the proofs.



The $7000 auction may very well have been an outlier for a few reasons. First, the auction was in the UK and the pound was way stronger in 2012. Secondly, the book may have been more on people's mind since it was published late 2011. So, I believe my original estimate of $3000-4000 is accurate considering the aforementioned included the proofs still only broke $5000 because of the buyer's premium - sans the premium it is $4000 :)

40dlphcoracl
Editat: des. 20, 2021, 7:55 pm

>31 dlphcoracl:
>37 Lukas1990:
>38 ultrarightist:

My mistake - the correct date for this auction is November 25, 2021. The Forum Auctions in London was last month and NOT in 2012. Briefly, the price for the Barbarian Press 'Pericles' has taken on a life of its own, continuing to increase beyond reason. Link to this auction below.

https://www.forumauctions.co.uk/Fine-Books-Manuscripts-and-Works-on-Paper/25-11-...

41astropi
des. 20, 2021, 8:39 pm

>40 dlphcoracl: That certainly makes a huge difference. If it increased in price 30% in one year, then it might just continue to increase to $10,000 or more. OR, it may decrease. We'll have to wait until another copy goes to auction to find out. I'll be honest, once a book reaches thousands of dollars territory, I pretty much strike it off my list. Despite how pretty it is, for $5000-7000 there are a slew of books I would prefer to have over Pericles.

42dlphcoracl
des. 20, 2021, 8:57 pm

>41 astropi:

Another iconic private press book with a life of its own, price-wise:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26339/lot/49/

The current norm AT AUCTION for the Cresset Press 'Gulliver's Travels' with fabulous Rex Whistler illustrations is $9,000 to $10,000.

43AndyEngraver
des. 22, 2021, 4:54 am

Pericles is probably the greatest modern book in my bookcases; it is a masterpiece of design, printing and binding and the essays are well worth reading. I will add a word in appreciation of Jan Elsted's skills here - the care that she takes with the printing - especially of wood engravings - produces results of the highest quality. It is also one of those rare books that was designed, printed and illustrated by friends, so my copy is inscribed and signed by all three. Something to pass down through the family.

44ChampagneSVP
Editat: març 22, 2022, 3:07 pm

Aquest missatge ha estat suprimit pel seu autor.

45ChampagneSVP
Editat: juny 30, 2022, 2:25 pm

Was reviewing Barbarian Press' bibliography, Hoi Barbaroi, recently. In addition to the bibliographic portions of the book, there are contributions by Anthony Rota, Sjaak Hubregtse, Simon Brett, Robert Bringhurst, and Crispin Elsted (including a story about the making of the original Endgrain book where engraver Lettario Calapai refused to contribute to the book having become convinced that a Canadian couple, living on a farm and making letterpress books must be "using sweated labour, grinding the faces of the poor, and filching bread from the mouths of children"!) Rereading the essays has been a treat. Bruce Whiteman also wrote a nice review of the bibliography in Parenthesis 11. Here's hoping we get a new bibliography to mark 50 years of Barbaric bookmaking in a few more years.

46Shadekeep
ag. 4, 2022, 12:34 pm

Oak Knoll has a copy of Hoi Barbaroi up at the Biblio.live book fair. Don't know if $2k is a good price or not, however.

https://live.biblio.com/item/846753963

47astropi
ag. 4, 2022, 1:17 pm

>46 Shadekeep: If I'm being honest, the only Barbarian Press book I thought was worth acquiring is Pericles - and it's a magnificent edition! Also, too rich for my taste, but if money were not an issue I would love to have it! All other Barbarian Press books have been "meh" for me, but it's personal taste of course :)

48grifgon
ag. 4, 2022, 1:23 pm

>47 astropi: Sacrebleu!

;-D

49ChampagneSVP
ag. 4, 2022, 2:47 pm

>46 Shadekeep: for the standard state that seems rather steep but it’s an enjoyable read for those who enjoy the press.