The Common Press, Being a Record, Description and Delineation of the Early Eighteenth-Century Handpress in the Smithsonian Institution, With a History and Documentation of the Press... and Drawings and Advice on Construction by Harris, Elizabeth; & Clinton Sisson - 1978

Boston, Massachusetts: David R. Godine, Publisher, 1978. 2 volumes, complete. Appears unread. Fine condition in a Fine pictorial slipcase. Sharp corners. Hinges are perfect. NOT a library discard. NO owner's name or bookplate. NO remainder mark. Fresh and crisp. NO underlining. NO highlighting. NO margin notes. First Edition. Limited to 2,000. Nicely printed by The Stinehour Press. This is reputed to be the press used by Benjamin Franklin in London, 1726. In a review (Antiquarian Book Monthly Review, Dec. 1978), Ruari McLean says of the plans for making the press, "It is so clearly explained, in words and pictures, that I was nearly convinced I could Do It Myself. I am sure that anyone else could... (At £12.50, the book) is a ridiculously cheap collector's piece, simply as a specimen of outstandingly good book design and production... Don't miss it." See the Oct 1989 issue of ABMR for an account of someone who fabricated a printing press using these plans, and a photo of the impressive results. The two volumes are uniformly bound in original pale orange pictorial wraps and housed in the publisher's brown paper-covered board slipcase. Full title: "The Common Press, Being a Record, Description and Delineation of the Early Eighteenth-Century Handpress in the Smithsonian Institution, With a History and Documentation of the Press... and Drawings and Advice on Construction.". First Edition, Limited to 2,000. Softcover in board slipcase. Fine condition/Fine slipcase. 2 volumes: 62pp. + 8 folded drawings. Great Packaging, Fast Shipping.