st james park press
CORDES PRESS
The Press has printed the following limited edition books for Kevin Cordes, proprietor of the Cordes Press. The entire output of that Press has been printed and continues to be printed by the St James Park Press.
LUST POEM
Lust Poem (An erotic Alphabet Book) by Simon Casimir Wilson was the first book published by the Cordes Press, in 2021. Originally published in 2009 by Simon under his imprint, the Sign of Nine, in an edition of only three copies (one of which is held by the British Library).
Printed on an Arab and Farley Proof Presses, in the first use of a new typeface designed by Laurence Beck, Joshua Sans, and Edwardian Script ITC, all printed from polymer plates from Lyme Bay Press, on 130gsm soft pink Hahnemuhle Bugra Butten. Featuring a double page three colour woodblock print by the late Ralph Kiggell, printed on 71gsm Bunkoshi Antique Japanese paper. The edition consists of 10 specials (in pink quarter leather and signed by the artist) and 50 ordinary copies (with an additional 40 sets of the text pages in sheets). Bound by Roger Grech in Bamberger Kaliko orange-yellow cloth, with Canson Mi-Teintes endpapers. Size 240mm x 165mm. [Following publication, the author noted that the word xiphoix should have read xiphoid].
(2021)
THE VAMPIRE CAT OF NABESHIMA
The Vampire Cat of Nabeshima, (a Japanese Legend) was the second book published by the Cordes Press, in 2022.
Printed on an Albion Press, in 14pt Baskerville and titling set by Mark Askam, the latter printed from polymer plates from Lyme Bay Press in orange, on 100gsm smooth white Zerkall paper (standards) and Shin Obonai paper (specials). Featuring two wood engravings by Beth S. Robertson. The edition consists of 10 specials (the wood engravings printed in multiple colours (5 and 7 colours) with decorative Japanese paper covers and housed in a fold-out slip case covered in Katazome-Shi Pearl & Dean paper) and 40 ordinary copies (with Suminagashi paper covers by Lucy McGrath). Bound by Roger Grech. Size 235mm x 180mm.
(2022)
THE MOON MOTH
The Moon Moth (a science-fiction short story) by Jack Vance is the third book published by the Cordes Press, in 2023.
Printed in 12D Spectrum and a title page set by Mark Askam, the latter printed from magnesium plates in violet, on 160gsm Somerset paper (standards) and 180gsm Velin Cuve BFK Rives Blanc paper (specials). Featuring three wood block prints by Paul Binnie. The edition consists of 10 specials (the prints in 15 to 20 colours each on Kozo 12 monme paper, bound in Navy Pentland goat leather with Canson Mi Teintes orange endpapers) and 50 ordinary copies (the prints in B&W on 106gsm Gekko Hodomura paper, bound in burnt orange Brillianta cloth with ultramarine Canson Mi Teintes endpapers). Bound by Roger Grech. Size 255mm x 183mm.
(2023)
THE BAMBOO CUTTER
The Bamboo Cutter is the fourth book (to be) published by the Cordes Press, in 2024.
Printed in 16pt Bembo.
(2024)