Fall 2026 Sale
Miscellaneous books from HM’s shelves that need new homes. Formats (e.g. 8vo, 12mo…) provided simply as an approximation of the item’s size. Prices are Cdn$ (and probably negotiable for some titles, especially when interested in more than one); knock about 30% off these prices for the US$ equivalent. New customers will be asked to remit prior to shipping. Payment by cheque, etransfer or Paypal (Canada); US$ cheque or Paypal (USA); or Paypal (everywhere else). Additional details or photos available upon request (see About page for email). Purchase price only will be refunded upon return of the item(s) within 30 days of delivery, in condition they were sent. Shipping to Canada, the U.S.A. & U.K. will be by tracked package charged at cost; other countries TBD. To purchase, send an email with the titles you’re interested in, we’ll work out the details. I’ll try to be prompt in replying.
Fonderie en Caracteres d’Imprimerie. The section on typecasting from Diderot’s Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers (pub. 1763, vol. II, part I of Recueil de planches, sur les sciences, les arts libéraux, et les arts méchaniques, avec leur explication). Folio. Disbound from the original publication (not by me). Eight leaves of plates with three pages (2 leaves) of detailed description. With the text leaves translated to English and printed (digitally, on linen paper) following the original setting. In a portfolio of painted paper over boards. sold
[Books about books] Large-paper set of the six books published by Paul Kegan et al (1893-4) on the art & history of the book. The set includes:
Alfred W. Pollard. Early Illustrated Books. 1893
Charles Isaac Elton and Mary Augusta Elton. The Great Book Collectors. 1893
W.J. Hardy. Book Plates. 1893
Falconer Madan. Books in Manuscript. 1893
E. Gordon Duff. Early Printed Books. 1893
H.P. Horne. Book Binding. 1894
All 8vo. Limited to 150 large paper copies (these all #33), this set specially bound in crimson calf. With a leaf from a Swanns auction catalogue that appears to describe the set at hand. The books are in very good condition, with some wear to all joints at head & tail, and some wear along joints to two copies. The bindings are solid but there is wear to the (delicate) calf. More details photos can be provided. $750 (the set)
The Cougar Hunter. Al Purdy. Phoenix Press, 1992. 8vo. The debut publication from Vancouver printer Alex Widen (tho for some reason it’s printed offset), With tipped in four (?) color linocut by Jim Rimmer, initialed by him. An infamous book: supposedly at least half the edition of 200 copies was pulped by Widen after getting into a dispute with Purdy over revenues. This was an early bound copy, in green cloth. Fine. To the best of my knowledge this is the only publication from the imprint. sold
Alison’s Fishing Birds. R. Haig-Brown. Colophon Books [& Pie Tree Press], 1980. 8vo. Illustrated & printed by Jim Rimmer. Not an uncommon book, but this copy specially signed by owner of Colophon Books (a long-gone & much-missed bookshop in Vancouver) and Rimmer. Gray buckram. Fine. sold
A Voyage to Cythera. Ralph Robb. Cummington Press, 1987. 4to. Edition of 255 copies, etching by Priscilla Steele. Bound in red cloth. This book is beautifully designed and produced, so I can’t explain why copies remain kicking around very cheap. I found this in the poetry section of Powell’s decades ago, probably paid ten bucks simply for the typography and etching. sold
Three altered books by Crispin Hellion Glover from his Volcanic Eruptions imprint:
Rat Catching (1990). Second edition, no printing stated (presumed first as there were subsequent printings).
Oak Mot (1991). First edition, 1,000 numbered copies. Signed on endpaper with silver marker that has slightly offset to title page.
Concrete Inspection (1992). First edition, 1,000 numbered copies. Signed on endpaper.
Books are approx. 12mo size. All fine as issued in stamped boards. $300 for the set
Three wood engravings by Thomas Bewick printed from the blocks with a handpress by Iain Bain. Professionally matted. Issued in an edition of 75 on the occasion of Ikon Gallery’s exhibition Tail-pieces (2009). Bain (1934-2018) was a Scottish historian of printing, and president of the Thomas Bewick Society and of the Printing Historical Society. The explanatory sheet issued with the prints is numbered and bears Bain’s signature; it looks printed but may be real, the ink matches that used for the numbering. In a plastic sleeve as issued. $75
William Caxton the First English Printer. Chas. Knight. 1877 edition (after 1844 first ed.). Small 12 mo. In worn leather binding. $25
The Letter-Press Printer. A Complete Guide to the Art of Printing. J. Gould. Second ed. 12mo. The inscription stamped on the front cover suggests this may have been a gift to an apprentice: there was a James Harwood (1860-1940) who worked as a printer and stationer. sold
A Suite of Wood Engravings Based on Orwell’s Animal Farm. Eric Holter. Arundel Press, 1991. 8vo. Eight wood engravings, each editioned and signed by the artist, with a one-page introduction and a colophon. In a stiff paper portfolio. Near fine. Edition of 26 sets. sold
Comics. R. Crumb. Ginko Press, 1992. 4to. Fine in red cloth (this isn’t the signed edition). $50
The Tragara Press 1954-1979. 8vo. First edition (135 copies), one of 25 printed on handmade Tovil paper. Signed by the printer. $50
Late Letterpress. The Work of Desmond Jeffery. St Bride Library 2009. Exhibition catalogue. Sewn in printed wrap. $20
A Leaf from the Aldine Press 1535. Oregon State College. An unimpressive presentation of a post-Aldus Aldine leaf. sold
Scritti di Giovanni Mardersteig sulla storia dei caratteri e della tipografia [Writings by G. Mardersteig on the history of typefaces and typography]. Ed. Il Polifilo, 1988. 4to. Edition of 650 copies printed at Stamperia Valdonega. An uncommon book to find outside Italy. Fascinating content (if you can read Italian), lots of illustrations. Issued in a traditional paper case, the kind intended to just protect the book while you walked it over to your binder’s shop. With matching slipcase. Near fine (a few creases to spine because it is glued to the textblock). $200
A Letter & Some Photographs. David Ferry. Sea Pen Press & Paper Mill, 1981. 8vo. Lithographs by Suzanne Ferris. From an edition of 120 copies, this is one of 46 copies bound in 2013 and issued with the assistance of Wessel & Lieberman, Booksellers of Seattle. These copies include a leaf (set & printed at HM) explaining the delay and variant binding. Millimeter binding with handmade paper (very attractive & well done). sold
The Journal of José Salaices 1798 – 1818. Press of the Palace of the Governors 1998. Sq 4to. Edition of 65 copies. A beautifully executed publication: the materials, the design, the presswork. Sewn on vellum tapes, laced into handmade paper cover. sold
Herbert Hodgson Printer. Fleece Press, 1989. 8vo. Edition of 340 copies. This copy has a small mark on the front board, like an impression about 1 inch long. It’s exaggerated in the photo (raking light) just so it shows. Interesting commentary from the man who printed Lawrence’s Seven Pillars, among other notable books. sold
Arthur Rushmore & the Golden Hind Press. Oak Knoll Press, 2005. 4to. Quarter leather, edition of 170 copies, two sample leaves tipped in. A thorough but homely bibliography, the design doesn’t do Rushmore justice (the color of leather used for the quarter leather is actually disturbing). The Paste Papers of the Golden Hind Press (Tideline Press, 1983) is much closer to the mark but I sold my copy of that book some years ago. Design aside, a good bibliography of an interesting American private press. sold
Printers’ Dozen. The Yolla Bolly Press at Twelve. 1985. 8vo. Chapbook, one of 700 copies. Brief history of the press with tipped-in photos. Wrap a little creased but no tears. sold
Life & Hard Times: Or Sherwood Grover's Twenty-five Years With The Grabhorn Press. 8vo. Original 1968 edition; it was reprinted in 1970. $50
Presses of the Grabhorn Press. Roxburghe-Zamorano Clubs / Grace Hoper Press, 1976. 8vo. Edition of 150 copies. $50
Notes on Some Early Grabhorn Items… W.R. Voris. Desert Press [1939]. 8vo. Paper wrap very slightly creased, small tear at foot of spine. An account of pre-San Francisco Grabhorn printing. Apparently a very uncommon title. $100
Emblemata. The Emblem Books of Andrea Alciato. Bird & Bull, 2007. 8vo. With a leaf from a later (not very special) edition of Alciato’s collection of emblems. With some “emblems” of Henry Morris’ invention at the end, accompanying wood engravings by Wesley Bates. For some reason he didn’t get Bates to sign the edition (just like he inexplicably didn’t get Gaylord Schanilec to sign My Colorful Career); however, laid into this copy is a small engraving on washi, signed by Bates, that I bought at a gallery in the ’90s. Beautifully printed & bound. sold
Caii Crispi Sallustii. Published in Londini (London), Apud T. & T. Payne, 1789, first edition thus. 8vo. Extract from bookseller’s catalogue on front pastedown, possibly listing this copy, described as “large paper.” Unusually clean and attractive typography for English printing at the time. This copy rebacked (the blue leather hinge may have been added when the book was rebacked). $75
Glenn Goluska in Toronto. Gaspereau Press, 2016. 8vo. Text of an interview with the Canadian printer. Chapbook, edition of 100 copies. $50
The Fleece Press Guide to the Art of Wood Engraving. G. Tute. Fleece Press, 1986. Miniature. Apparently this is the press’s first miniature. $200
Lovecraft & Benefit Street. D. Walter. Driftwind Press,1943. Small 12mo, sewn in printed wrap. Apparently this is quite uncommon now. Near fine. sold
Autobiography: Some Notes on a Nonentity. H.P. Lovecraft. Arkham House 1963. Stapled in printed wrap. Owner’s name stamped to inside cover, otherwise near fine. sold
A Grammar of Typography. Mark Argetsinger. Godine 2020. 4to. First edition, one of 135 special copies signed by the author, extra-bound (cloth) and issued in a slipcase. Even the trade edition of this book seems hard to find now, these signed copies apparently impossible at the moment. A second printing is due this fall, but in softcover, which makes no sense for a book this size. sold
Blank book by binder Terry Rutherford. Quarter leather with wood laminate boards. 8.75 × 11.25 inches, approx. 100 pp. Bought this years ago when Terry sold everything off and moved to Montreal. Meant to use it as a visitors’ book at the studio, but I never remembered to ask people to sign, plus I never encouraged visitors. sold
Les Fleurs du Mal. Chas. Beaudelaire, relief illustrations by Charles Mayrs. Black Stone Press, 2010. 8vo. Mayrs published a number of artist’s books featuring his original art in the early parts of this decade, often in collaboration with Black Stone Press. Edition of 40 press-numbered copies, sewn in stiff printed paper wrap. sold (note: the illustrations are quite explicit)
A Handful of Odes. Jennifer van de Pol. [Vancouver c.2006] Oblong 8vo. An artist’s book, her first. Digitally-printed reproductions of original drawings, each one altered/embellished with watercolor. Sewn into stiff painted wrap by the artist. Letterpress on the title page and colophon by HM. Edition of 15 copies. $75
Type Specimens. Roy A. Squires. His second, and more elaborate, type sampler. Edition of 300 numbered copies. In the original printed envelope, with the accompanying explanatory letter. [with] a 1970 checklist (1 sheet, four pages) of his publications. $75
Epithalamion. E. Spenser. Wind & Harlot Press, 1973. 12mo. An early production by Bob Barris. Edition of 60 copies. Near fine, sewn in (slightly creased) printed wrap. $75
The Introduction of Printing into Canada. A. Fauteux. Rolland Paper Co., 1930. 8vo. This is the “special” issue, in full leather, with a leaf printed on vellum laid in. The leather used for the binding isn’t great: this copy has some light wear. This book is not at all uncommon, but this issue is, especially with the vellum leaf present. Also laid in is a 4-pg pamphlet, “Chronological Table of Leading Events in the Development of Printing.”$75
A few HM titles…
Metal Types & Some Papers. This copy came back from the buyer because one of the leaves has a spot (shown below). The leaf is part of a sheet that actually was 50 years old, a leftover text sheet from Kuthan’s Menagerie that embellished with more text for this book, so a few age spots might be expected. sold
Epilogue to the War of the Worlds. H.G. Wells. This is the third (& final) trial binding, so marked on the colophon, and identical to the edition as issued. (It took me three tries to get the square just right; I hate when books are bound with more than the minimal required square…) sold
HM = X. Checklist No. 3. This is an OS copy inscribed to David Clifford. Does not include the appended section with sample leaves, but this copy does have two leaves tipped in (The “Innsmouth Look” and Iskandariya). Bound in marbled paper over limp boards. $300
Elements in Correlation. Printing with the Handpress at HM. This is one of 10 H.C. copies for contributors & friends. These copies had some of the extras from the deluxe issue bound in (in this case, a proof of the Reg Lissel linocut printed by the artist, and all 4 of the type sample leaves). Signed by the printer, artist & papermaker. These copies bound in Reg Lissel’s vellum paper over boards; spine slightly faded. sold