Many people know Jim Rimmer’s name in the context of his metal & digital type designs, or his work printing for others. But the handful of books he issued from his own imprint are less well known, for several reasons. Some editions were small, 50 copies or less. Some editions were never fully issued. HM’s book, sparked by the acquisition of 45 linocuts from two of his books after his death in 2010, is an introduction to his private printing for people who have never seen the actual books.

The checklist section is preceded by a four-page profile of Jim written by his friend and colleague Will Rueter, of The Aliquando Press. This was adapted from an article originally published in The Devil’s Artisan in 2003. The book ends with a three-page section displaying seven types Jim cut and cast in metal (Duensing Titling, Nephi Mediaeval, Stern, Juliana Oldstyle, Fellowship, Quill & Cree Syllabic).

In addition to his type designs, Jim was known for his vibrant multi-color linocuts. Each copy of this book includes, as a frontis, a print from one of his books (A Christmas Carol, 1998 or Shadow River, 1996-98). A group of 45 prints, each initialed by Jim, was acquired shortly after his death in 2010; the number available determined the number of copies issued.

Each copy also includes two tipped-in cards (4 × 9 in.) from a set of 13 Jim issued in 1980, showing the various ornaments available from Jim’s foundry.

Copies 1 — 5 were issued in a box (shown below), with additional material:

• a copy of the prospectus for Leaves from the Pie Tree

• a broadside poem by Robert Kroetsch that Jim printed (w/ linocut) for Aquila books c. 1998

• a set of the 13 cards showing ornaments available from Pie Tree

• a partial copy of Duensing Titling (HM 2003), with the title page, a few pages of text & and signed (i.e. initialed) colophon.

Copies 1 — 15 include a second tipped-in linocut, the frontis from Alison’s Fishing Birds, a book he printed for Colophon Books (1980).