Research Guides: History of Text Technologies: Fine Press

Fine Press/Private Presses

The term private press usually refers to printing presses with an emphasis on artisanal design, materials, and bindings. The private press movement flourished during the turn of the 20th century. It is often associated with the founding of William Morris's Kelmscott Press in 1890. Special Collections holds a complete copy of Kelmscott Press publications as well as books by other private presses, such as the Doves Press.

Examples from the Collection of FSU Special Collections & Archives

The works of Geoffrey Chaucer, now newly imprinted by Geoffrey Chaucer
Call Number: Vault (Double Oversize) ; PR1850 1896

Publication Date: 1896

The Kelmscott Press edition of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales set a high bar for book design and typography during the late 19th century. Produced by artist and fabric designer William Morris and typography expert Emery Walker, the book was developed as a high point of the creators' interest in design and book history. Morris was particularly inspired by 15th-century Venetian type.
The English Bible : containing the Old Testament & the New
Call Number: Vault (Oversize) ; BS185 1903 .H3

Publication Date: 1903-1905

The Doves Press, publisher of this Bible, was responsible for producing notable examples of 20th-century typography. This Bible uses a specially commissioned typeface called "Doves Type," which was inspired by Venetian types from the Renaissance period. In fact, the type became the basis of a bitter dispute between the owners of the Press, who fought over the rights to own and use the type.
Modern British and American Private Presses, 1850-65 by British Library Staff; P.A.H. Brown (Editor)
Call Number: Rare Reference ; Z1028 .B75 1976

ISBN: 0714103675

Publication Date: 1976

This book contains a list of every book published by a private press from 1850-1865 within the British Library's holdings (at the time of the book's 1976 publication). These books are grouped by author and by the press they were released under.

External Sources for Fine Press

William Morris: literature and book design
A web page gives an overview of William Morris and his Kelmscott Press, one of the most well-known private presses.