Matrix 6; A Review For Printers and Bibliophiles by Randle, John (Editor and Publisher); Contributions by: Gibbings, Robert; Cave, Roderick; Gerry, Vance; Dreyfus, John; Storhaug, Glenn; Freutel, Scott; Macgregor, Miriam; Schmoller, Tanya; Forster, Peter; Richardson, Maureen; Flavell, Anne; Marx, Enid; K - 1986

Manor Farm, Andoversford, Gloucestershire: The Whittington Press, 1986. Limited Edition. Soft cover. Near Fine. Gerry, Vance; Sandford, Lettice. Number 766 of 800 copies bound in stiff wrappers, of a total edition of 900, quarto size, 187 pp., with an order form for "Matrix 7" laid in. The original concept for "Matrix" was prompted by a desire to see two typescripts in print, a commentary by Paul Morgan on the diary of a pressman at the Shakespeare Head Press, and "Brocard Sewell's essay on the wood-engraver Edward Walters". It was decided to make a single publication of them all, and around this time the Whittington Press bought its first Monotype keyboard and caster, and thus began the evolution of the publication into an annual that enjoyed over thirty years in print and is considered the finest publication on the book arts. This is number six, published for Winter 1986, with an engraving on the half-title by Vance Gerry, and a frontispiece wood-engraving by Lettice Sandford of Eye Manor which originally appeared as the Sandfords' Christmas card for 1938. The volume fairly explodes with illustrations of all types: contents include two pages of black-and-white photographs of Christopher Sandford reproduced on glossy paper; a tipped-in fold-out map of the Castle Press circa 1943; eight color plates printed on glossy paper, reproducing ephemera from the Double Crown Club; a glossy black-and-white plate with an image of a proof page from the printing of "Ulysses", and a photo of the press; a fold-out specimen printed by Patrick Reagh, with text by Guy Locke, and typographical teapots by Peter Shire; some photographs of Patrick Reagh in the studio, reproduced in black-and-white on glossy paper; leaves from "Weeds in my Garden" published by the Whittington Press; tipped-in samples of Chinese paper and woodblock prints; numerous printer's devices; handmade paper samples; photographs of the John Johnson Collection at the Bodleian Library, reproduced in black-and-white on glossy paper; an original fold-out broadside for "Ham on Rye" from the Black Sparrow Press; a selection of Black Sparrow covers reproduced in black-and-white on glossy paper; "Some Examples of Jobbing Printing done at the Rampant Lion Press" tipped-in; some examples of Eric Gill's work reproduced in black-and-white on glossy paper; the original "Horus" by David Wishart, printed at The Hayloft Press and mounted to a single page; a tipped-in photo reproduction of hieroglyphs in a case at OUP; a photograph of John DePol and the cover of his book "The Old Printing Office" reproduced in black-and-white on glossy paper; tipped-in eight-page "Wood-engraved Patterns" by John DePaul, in colour printed from the original blocks; eight pages of glossy black-and-white photo reproductions referenced in Brooke Crutchley's essay "'Congeniality' in the Typography of Books"; facsimile from "Two Dutch Poems" 1974; a facsimile from Rudolf Koch's 36-point Wilhelm-Klingspor-Schrift, printed by Duensing; four pages of glossy black-and-white photo reproductions relating to John O'Connor; a tailpiece vinyl engraving by Vance Gerry printed in green; and a tipped-in black-and-white photo reproduction of "An Unfortunate Occurrence. . .". ___DESCRIPTION: Pale green stiff wrappers with title printed in dark green, text in black, and two wood-engravings to the the upper wrapper, numerous tipped-in illustrations and ephemera, numerous half-tones and color plates (see above for details); Monotype Caslon type, Sommerville Laid and Zerkall Halbmatt papers, quarto size (11.25" by 8"), pagination: [i-iv] 1-182 [183], this number 766 of 800 copies printed in stiff wrappers, of a total edition of 900, with an order form for "Matrix 7" slipped in. ___CONDITION: A near fine copy, the wraps clean with only minor wear, internally bright and complete, text block is tight, no prior owner markings, near fine overall and a wonderful example of the glorious multitude of type and illustration being done by highly talented members of the Book Arts profession. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.