Sanctae Hildegardis Circulus Sapientiae =: Circle of Wisdom by Claire Van Vliet and others for Janus Press.
Among our visitors to Special Collections are students from the School of Art, who are particularly interested in the design and structure of books. These students enjoy exploring our collections of fine press books and artists’ books.
Fine press books are created with a strong emphasis on design and materials. They often involve a collaboration between a writer, printer, and visual artist. The books are usually printed on handmade paper with a carefully selected typeface using an old-fashioned letterpress printer. Visual harmony exists between the text, the illustrations, and the binding. Fine press books are highly sought by collectors and libraries.
Artists’ books explore the line between a book and a work of art. Less traditional than fine press books, they often have unusual bindings resembling structures such as an accordion, a tunnel, or a star. Although they are usually made from paper, artists’ books may be constructed with wood, plastic, or even rock. Artists’ books are often as whimsical as they are beautiful, and may be found in libraries, museums, and private collections.
Both fine press books and artists’ books are usually published in small runs by independent presses.
Special Collections holds numerous books from the following fine press printers. These books can be located in the UH Libraries’ catalog by typing the name of the press in the Author field or following the links below.
In the Morning by Mei-Ling Hom for Women’s Studio Workshop.
Artists’ books may be located in the UH Libraries’ catalog by entering the subject heading Artists’ books. The subgenre known as pop-up books may be located by entering the subject heading Toy and movable books — Specimens.
Special Collections is particularly strong in artists’ books from the following presses and artists’ collectives.
Peter & Donna Thomas or Thomas Peter (Peter R.)
Art students or those who are simply curious may wish to view artists’ books by structure. Special Collections holds the following examples of particular book structures:
Accordion Binding
Barton, Carol J. Loom. Bethesda, Md.?: Carol June Barton?, 1989.
King, Ronald. Hick, Hack, Hock. London: Circle Press, 1995.
Rowe, Sandra. Snake. Rosendale, N.Y.: Women’s Studio Workshop, 1991.
Pop-Up Book
Hildegard, Vliet C. Van, Katie MacGregor, Robert Mealy, and Na’ama Lion. Sanctae Hildegardis Circulus Sapientiae =: Circle of Wisdom. Newark, Vt: Janus Press, 2001.
Tunnel Book
Barton, Carol J. Tunnel Map. Bethesda, Md: C.J. Barton, 1988.
Sculptural Book
Hom, Mei-ling. In the Morning. Rosendale, N.Y: Women’s Studio Workshop, 1990.
Jacob’s Ladder
Morrison, Lois. Water/fish. Rosendale, N.Y.: Women’s Studio Workshop, 1988.
Please visit us in Special Collections the next time you’re feeling arty!