Account
Private Press Collection
A collection of more than 2,000 private press books from more than 200 presses.
About the collection
The Mitchell Library has a collection of more than 2,000 Private Press books from more than 200 different presses - representing printing styles which range from the elaborate decoration of William Morris's Kelmscott Press to the unadorned type of The Doves Press.
The term 'private press' is usually given to those books produced using traditional printing, binding and paper-making methods and which have small print runs. The importance of the book resides in its ability to reflect the skill of the printer and illustrator, rather than its appeal to a wide audience.
English examples include the Essex House Press, Golden Cockerel Press, Ashendene Press, Vale Press, Old Stile Press, Gwas Gregynog Press and The Whittington Press. Scottish presses represented include The Tragara Press, The Porpoise Press, The Signet Press of Thomas Rae and The Wild Hawthorn Press.
Finding aid
Private Press Collection listing (PDF, 1,896KB)
Please contact Special Collections or 0141 287 2988 if you would like to access this collection.
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