Why
Should You Collect These Books?
Why indeed. Why enjoy fine wines or superbly prepared food? Why
buy a print or a painting? Why buy a beautifully crafted wooden
bowl or a handblown vase? All of my life I have been attracted to
handmade objects. My mother taught me to sew and cook when I was
very young and my childhood was filled with using tools, cloth,
paper and paint to make things. It is this attraction to the maker’s
hand that lures most of us to want to possess beautiful objects.
The pleasure that comes from collecting the work of one person or
of one press is beyond description or measure. Yet what most people
consider a luxury, I consider necessary for life. I am constantly
reminded of the greater good, the heights mankind can achieve, when
I hold a finely made book or go to a museum to see an artist’s work.
The power to motivate people, to touch people’s lives, to make people
sigh, laugh, or be in awe; the power to provoke people or make them
cry, can all be contained in an artist’s or craftsman’s work. Let
me end with a quote from my bookseller friend, John Ballinger of
The Bookpress Ltd.(and no,
I did not pay him to write this!) |
Warwick
Press publishes fine limited editions of
poetry and prose. Since 1973, I have issued over fifty
books, broadsides and pamphets covering a wide range of
subjects. The editions vary in size, from tiny gem-like
productions of personal writings handbound in silk, to
one-poem booklets with original watercolors tipped-in,
to a series of morality tales told by ducks and other creatures,
to editions of artist’s books with original artwork,
to larger editions of poems about the Vietnam War, and
to a checklist of works from one of America’s most
approachable poets, Donald Hall.
With few exceptions, all of the design, illustration, letterpress
printing and hand bookbinding is done in house. The array of material
produced at Warwick Press reflects my unique graphic design, my
eclectic literary taste and my artistic vision. After thirty years,
I still love to use my eyes, hands and heart to make nifty, fun
and beautiful work with type and ink, paper and paint.
My books are widely collected throughout the United States and Great
Britain. They are included in every major rare book college and
university library in this country. Eager standing order collectors
graciously support the Press by buying every publication offered.
These collectors also reap the benefit of receiving special pieces
of ephemera issued by the Press in reward for their loyalty and
good taste.
How
Do You Become a Standing Order Patron?
Simply tell me you wish to become one.
What
are my obligations?
For
each book I publish you will be sent either an invoice with the
book or a pro forma invoice(in the case of a more costly edition).
I generally publish one or two editions a year with an average price
of between $ 75.00 and $400.00. I warn clients about larger elaborate
editions before sending them out. What if youI really don’t want
a book? All you have to do is tell me. I expect my standing order
clients to be glad they purchased a new work. Being in the same
position myself with a few presses, there is nothing that is harder
than having to buy a book I simply am not interested in. I expect
clients to become familiar with my work before they obligate themselves
to the Press. But my heart is not made of stone.
Can
I gracefully get out of it?
Unless you are a louse, absolutely.
What
if you publish a book I cannot afford to pay for all at once?
I am more than happy to accept payment via installments. After
the final payment, I will send along the book.
Ordering: Warwick
Press does not take credit cards but gladly accepts business
or personal checks made out to Warwick Press. Orders will be
shipped after payment is received.
Shipping: on all books except Made by Hand,
add $4.00 for shipping via priority mail; if ordering Made
by Hand, add $5.00. (Warwick Press ships via priority mail.)
Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax on order total,
excluding shipping cost.
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