The Centenary Limited Edition
This Centenary edition of The Book of Sark, limited to 500 copies, was planned and announced during 2008, the centenary of the publication of the original Book of Sark. A considerable impetus to the project was added with the knowledge that the original 100 year old copper printing plates were still in existence and were in good condition, allowing the Centenary volume to be
printed from the authentic originals. Materials for printing were researched and reviewed in order
to produce a book reflecting the original quality but taking advantage of the advances in book
production over the last 100 years.
An accompanying volume ‘The Making of the Book of Sark’ is being prepared and will be published at the same time as the re-printed original book.
The books will be presented in a full cloth solander box blind blocked with the title and decoration
from the front of The Book of Sark.
The edition is strictly limited to 500 numbered copies. Each copy to be individually signed by the
William Toplis’ Great Granddaughter.
The Centenary Book of Sark is reproduced exactly as the original 100 years ago and is 18 x 13 inches in size, includes 21 colour plates mounted and interleaved as well as 112 pages of text printed by letterpress exactly as the original publication, with description of the views painted and where to find them as well as Marquand and Bonney’s botanical and geological description of the Island.
The accompanying volume “The Making of The Book of Sark” with text from Fiona Toplis, the Artist’s Great Granddaughter, on the Man; his life and work, contains historical notes and a detailed description using Toplis’ meticulous records of how and where he painted. There is also a comparison using modern day photographs of the views painted to show what change (if any) has taken place in the 100 years from the original book to now. Photographs by Chris Andrews and others on Sark. Details of the process of
modern manufacture are shown and described including the stages of material selection, printing and binding. The text is reviewed with a historical perspective and edited by Amy McKee.
Details
The Centenary Book of Sark is limited to an edition of 500, each
individually numbered and signed, 100 of which are available bound in
full English Vellum, the balance of 400 bound in full cloth
Manufacture
Considerable research has been invested to maintain and enhance the
quality of the first publication with the use of up to date materials made
by traditional methods. The Centenary publication faithfully reproduces
the images from the original letterpress printing plates, titles will be
handset from the case in Founders’ Metal Caslon and the text will be
machine cast in Monotype Hot Metal. The whole book printed letterpress,
individually collated and bound by hand. This is an extraordinary
opportunity to acquire one of a limited number of a unique and
interesting publication, a combination of artistic worth and archival value
The colour prints
Printed on acid free and totally chlorine free fine calendered paper
Mounted on ‘Oxford Smoked’ mounting board
Covered with Pergamenata Naturale interleaving paper
Text
Printed on Somerset Satin Antique paper from a making specially
commissioned for this project in the UK
Binding
100 copies in full English Vellum with Gold Blocking on the cover and
spine, secured by two silk ribbons, pages gilded on the top edge
400 copies in Full Cloth and Gold Blocking on cover and spine
All books will be supplied in a full cloth solander box which is blind
blocked with the decoration and title from the front of ‘The Centenary
Book of Sark’ and includes a capacity for the accompanying volume ‘The
Making of the Book of Sark’