THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

26 September 1936

(page 4)

Hand-Press Work At

Folk Craft Festival.

The section devoted to American arts and crafts at the Folk-Craft Exhibition to be held at the Hotel Vancouver October 14-17, will include interesting examples of hand-printing from the Private Press of Will Ransom, “Maker of Books,” Chicago.

Asked to say a few words about his work, he said: “In those occasional intervals available for our most delightful heritage, the pursuit of happiness, I find my greatest joy in the making of books. By choice of vocation a craftsman in drawn letters and their uses, it is natural that I should follow them to their ultimate purpose in the printed page and finished book. With all the craftsman’s delight in the processes of his chosen and familiar medium, I design format and decorations best fitted to present the text fairly, set the type, and print dampened sheets of hand-made paper on a hand-press. This method is used, not because of any sentimental affection for ancient practices or laborious effort, but because certain desirable results are obtainable, by me, at least, in no other way.”

In 1922 Will Ransom issued the first book from his Private Press—two hundred and forty-five copies on Whatman hand-made paper, of “open shutters,” a volume of poems by Oliver Jenkins. The design, lettering, composition and presswork were done by him with the assistance of Edmond A. Hunt. The binding—an unique veneer of green-stained cedar, to carry out the title of the book—by A. J. Cox.

A copy of this new rare example will be on display during the festival. Further examples from the same press will include: “Star Pollen” by Power Dalton; “Orioles and Blackbirds” by Hi Simons: “The House of Endless Doors” by Mary Corse; “XXXI. Hymns to the Star Goddess” by Frater Achad [Charles Stansfeld Jones]; “Fringe” by Pearl Anderson, and “The Prayer Rug” by Jessica Nelson North. With two exceptions these also represent the first published volumes of the respective authors.

Will Ransom is a practical idealist; not only has he set the example in a commercial age, but he has in many instances freely chosen to produce with rare beauty the first work of young and aspiring poets; thus giving them the good sendoff many of them deserve, but often find so hard to get.