Romantic Landscape: The Wood Engravings of Raymond Hawthorn
Devon, England: Bishops Books, 1999. Raymond Hawthorn Wood Engravings. Limited to 140 numbered copies. This copy No. 30 of 140.
THE ROMANTIC VISION OF A MODERN WOOD ENGRAVER.
Romantic Landscape celebrates the wood engravings of British artist Raymond Hawthorn (1917–1979), presenting a carefully selected portfolio reproduced directly from his original engraved blocks. Issued in a finely printed limited edition by Bishops Books and produced at the renowned Libanus Press, the volume introduces Hawthorn's distinctive interpretation of landscape, architecture, and imaginative design through one of Britain's enduring relief-printing traditions.
PRIVATE PRESS PRINTING AT ITS FINEST.
Printed in an edition of only 140 copies on Zerkall mould-made paper, the book reflects the continuing vitality of the British private press movement at the close of the twentieth century. Hal Bishop's accompanying essay places Hawthorn's work within the tradition of modern British wood engraving while illustrating the technical precision, tonal richness, and expressive possibilities of the medium.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Printed in Caslon at the Libanus Press on Zerkall mould-made paper from Raymond Hawthorn's original wood engravings. String-sewn in heavy cream wrappers printed in green and black with an original wood engraving on the upper cover. Illustrated throughout with full-page wood engravings reproduced from the original blocks. Includes an introductory essay by Hal Bishop, limitation page, printer's device, and colophon. Copies 21–140 were issued in wrappers; Large quarto; 11 inches tall. Limited edition of 140 numbered copies, this being Copy No. 30.
CONDITION: The bindings are tight and sound. Text and illustrations are exceptionally clean and bright. No ownership markings or internal flaws noted. A tiny crease to the upper corner of the front wrapper; otherwise a Fine example with crisp, fresh Zerkall paper and an unworn sewn binding.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: THE BRITISH WOOD ENGRAVING REVIVAL.
Raymond Hawthorn belongs to the distinguished twentieth-century revival of British wood engraving, a movement that transformed relief engraving from a commercial reproductive process into an independent artistic medium. His prints demonstrate the balance of technical discipline and personal expression that characterized post-war British printmaking, drawing inspiration from landscape, architecture, music, and literature.
LIBANUS PRESS AND THE PRIVATE PRESS TRADITION.
Produced by the Libanus Press for Bishops Books, this volume exemplifies the enduring ideals of the British private press movement: carefully chosen type, mould-made paper, traditional presswork, and close collaboration between printer, publisher, and artist. Rather than merely reproducing Hawthorn's engravings, the book was conceived as an integrated work of book arts, preserving both the visual impact of the prints and the craftsmanship of fine press production.
SUBJECTS: Raymond Hawthorn, Hal Bishop, Libanus Press, Bishops Books, British Wood Engraving, Private Press Printing, Fine Press Books, Zerkall Paper, Caslon Type, Modern British Printmaking, Relief Printing, Book Arts, Limited Editions, Twentieth-Century British Art, Private Press, Fine Press, Wood Engraving, British Art, Illustrated Books, Limited Editions.
Item #22314
ISBN: 0948021403
Price: $125.00
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