The Petrarch Press

Will We See You at CODEX 2011?

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE four years have passed since the first CODEX book fair in 2007 gathered together an impressive congress of the world’s finest private presses, book artists, artisans, curators, collectors, and scholars.

After the last two CODEX Book Fairs, we wouldn’t dare miss the 2011 biennial CODEX International Book Fair and Symposium, scheduled from February 6 through 9, 2011 on the campus of The University of California Berkeley. We have reserved our place among the 140 tables for printers and international publishers and we hope to see you there.   More…

Our Developing Bindery

Until recently, the Press has focussed mainly on printing with the iron handpress. Last year we installed new equipment that is enabling us to expand our in-house bookbinding capabilities. Tools and materials used by the Apollo Bindery, formerly operated by Peter Cohen, are gradually being integrated into the pressroom from their storage space.   More…

Oak Knoll Camaraderie

RETURNING FROM THE BEAUTIFUL early fall colors at Oak Knoll to the unusually warm and dry climate in the Sierra foothills just brings home the point of how varied the world, and the world of fine press is. This year seemed more personal and more poignant as we met our old friends and eased others into the fold of fine press camaraderie.

Wonderful stories were told by Henry Morris about his Bird & Bull Press, whose first booklet he sold for $3 and was happy to find selling in 1980 for $900. We appreciated his tip about using the magic flat rate postal service boxes which, much to the dismay of his postman, came from all parts of the U.S. stuffed full of lead type for his newest book The Private Type Casters, but most importantly Henry Morris reminded us all about how fun this work really is.   More…