Fine Press Materials in Special Collections.

Daniel Press
Lee Priory Press
Strawberry Hill Press
Ashendene Press
Cuala Press
Doves Press
Essex House Press
Golden Cockerel Press
Gregynog Press
Hogarth Press
Kelmscott Press
Nonesuch Press
Rampant Lions Press
Shakespeare Head Press
Vale Press
Abattoir Editions
Arion Press
Black Sun Press
Blue Sky Press
Colt Press
Cummington Press
Elston Press
Grabhorn Press
Hammer Creek Press
Harbor Press
Merrymount Press
Mosher Press
Nash, John Henry
Perishable Press
Plantin Press
Prairie Press
Stone Wall Press
Trovillion Press
Village Press
Ward Ritchie Press
Windhover Press
Woolly Whale, Press of the
Limited Editions Club

1792-c. 2005.

Scope and Content

A fine press is a printing establishment that adheres to particularly high standards in terms of the skill of the workers, the choice of materials, and the overall design of the books ultimately produced. As a consequence of these high standards, print runs – i.e. the number of copies of a book that are printed – tend to be very low. There is often, in addition, an emphasis on traditional printing technologies and techniques. The modern fine press movement is usually considered to have begun with the Kelmscott Press, established by William Morris in 1890-1891 as part of the broader Arts and Crafts movement. Morris founded his press in opposition to the ever increasing mechanization of printing over the course of the 19th century, which Morris believed was accompanied by a decline in printing standards. The spirit of the fine press movement continues in the ongoing revival of the techniques of letterpress printing, but the movement itself is usually dated to the years 1891-1939.

Finding aid and inventory: Fine Press Materials in Special Collections.

Note: With a few exceptions, the collection can be accessed through the library catalog. See the finding aid and inventory for call numbers. 

MU Digital Exhibit: Fine Press Materials in Special Collections (Guide). 

MU Digital Library: Fine Press Materials in Special Collections.

The University of Missouri Libraries do not hold copyright on most collection materials, and therefore we do not charge usage fees or require permission to publish scanned images. The libraries encourage use of reproductions of Special Collections materials in publications, broadcasts, public displays and on web pages. However, please be aware that the user is responsible for determining copyright status and applying for permission to copyright holders.

Materials do not circulate but are available to users in the Special Collections Reading Room during service hours or by appointment.

Books.