Fine Press Friends

Reuniting with a great friend at the CODEX Foundation Book Fair in Berkeley. 

Catherine is the driving force behind May Day Press and was my first letterpress teacher! Back then she lived on an island, and each Sunday I would take a reflective ferry ride across Puget Sound for my lessons in her print studio. There is nothing like the meditative relaxation of setting type by hand, especially when you have a knowledgeable and wonderful friend to converse with. During other quiet times I'd gaze out the window at her garden where we would be eating lunch later.

The above is the most recent May Day Press book Mother Time.

2010 Esoteric Book Conference

EBC administrators William J. Kiesel, Michael Kolson & Catamara Rosarium

 

In 2009 Ouroboros Press publisher William Kiesel founded the Esoteric Book Conference to provided a venue for scholars and contemporary exponents of esotericism to give talks, show esoteric art and most importantly hold a book fair where new and antiquarian books in the field could be showcased. The 2nd annual conference was a great success and it has now secured itself as an annual international event.

The presentation hall

JD Holmes offering books from several European publishers

Richard Kaczynski signing copies of the new edition of Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley

Robert Ansell publisher at Fulgur & John Coughlin of Waningmoon browsing

Ros, Robert and Barry Hale

David Beth signing copies of Voudon Gnosis

Michael Staley from Starfire Publications

Charles Krafft browsing at Ajna Bound's table

William greeting Clint Marsh publisher at Wonderella Printed

 The photographs were taken by Carlos Melgoza and the complete set may be viewed at the Anima Nocturna blog.

Emerald Tablet of Hermes

Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis, perhaps better known as the the Emerald Tablet of Hermes, is the shortest and yet most refered to text in the whole of the alchemical corpus. Supposed to have been found engraved upon an Emerald, this hermetic document has been beautifully typeset in Centaur [a font designed by Bruce Rogers] and printed letterpress on fine Arches paperstock in two colors.

An alchemical emblem crowns the top of the broadside and features the enigmatic acrostic V.I.T.R.I.O.L., which was a substance used to pull metals out of hard stone by early metallurgists. The Latin translates as Visit the interior of the earth and through rectification you will find the hidden stone meant to point the way to the Philosopher's Stone.

Limited to 250 copies only this broadside is 13 x 18 inches and is suitable for framing. Let the words of Hermes Trismegistus adorn your library or laboratory. $25.00 postpaid, Ordering Instructions.

Turba Philosophorum received from the printers

The image above shows the stacks of books ready to be handbound at the bindery of Ars Obscura in Seattle. Cloth copies showing the gilt device on the front cover can be seen below along with a copy wrapped in a dust jacket.



The Turba Philosophorum or Assembly of the Sages:
Called also the Book of Truth in the Art and the Third Pythagorical Synod
An Ancient Alchemical Treatise Translated from the Latin by Arthur Edward Waite.

Known unto the Wise as the Crowd of Philosophers, this twelfth century treatise records the meeting of the "Hermetic Association for the Advancement of Alchemy" and gives voice to the alchemical wisdom of several centuries. From Pythagoras to the Thrice-Greatest Hermes, the Adepts converse on the keys of the Royal Art and the nature of the Magnum Opus in their pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone.

Arthur Edward Waite's translation of The Turba Philosophorum remains the most complete to date due to the fact that he examined the many variant Latin manuscripts. There were two versions of the Turba; a short version and a long version, and in cases where textual differences occurred, Waite was sure to note them. This new edition has retained those important words of wisdom.

This Limited Edition produced by Ouroboros Press continues the tradition of fine bookmaking by resetting the type and offering three distinctive binding styles.



Royal Arte Vellum Turba
Handbound in full vellum with gilt titles and device, false-raised cords, marbled endsheets and silk ribbon bookmark. A crowning achievement from the studios of Ars Obscura Bookbinding. Octavo. 168 pages. Limited Edition. $225.00



Deluxe Leather Turba
Handbound in full burgundy leather with gilt titles and device, false-raised cords, marbled endsheets and a silk ribbon bookmark, also from the venerable studios of Ars Obscura Bookbinding. Octavo. 168 pages. Limited to 275 copies only. $150.00

Trade Edition Turba
Full burgundy cloth with gilt spine title and device on front board in a printed dust jacket. Octavo. 168 pages. Limited to 700 copies only. $45.00



Orders are now being accepted.

Shipping: Please add $6.00 for US orders or $12.00 for overseas orders.


When making payment via PayPal use [ouroboros@bookarts.org]

Please include full shipping details with your order. Thank you!

The God of Socrates
by Lucius Apuleius


Originally published in 1993 as the final release from Heptangle Books [whose work we hold in very high regard].
These are among the last copies which have been handsewn and bound at the studios of ARS OBSCURA Bookbinding and are real jewels given the inexpensive asking price.

The Classical author of The Golden Asse, Lucius Apuleius, here delivers a tract of serious philosophy. This work puts forth the view of the nature of the Daemon prior the Judaeo-Christian corruption of that character to Demon. Herein is analysis of genius, Socrates representing the model.

“You may call this daemon in our tongue, according to interpretation, a Genius, I know not whether rightly, but certainly at my peril; because this God (or daemon), who in the mind of everyone, though it is immortal, nevertheless, it is after a certain manner generated with man; so that those prayers by which implore the Genius, and which we employ when we embrace the knees genua of those whom we supplicate, appear to me to testify our connexion and union …”


Handset letterpress printed and bound with antique bookpresses.
Small octavo, cloth bound with printed dust jacket.
Limited edition of 1000 copies only: $40.00

Ordering Information

Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes is the shortest and the most famous of all the Alchemical texts throughout the history of the Royal Art. Its influence on the practitioners of alchemy is evident in their writtings, art and laboratory processes as well. Ouroboros Press has employed the black art of letterpress by commissioning Heavenly Monkey to print this classic text on handmade paper utilising an antique printing press.

The paper, which was made specifically for this broadside, was wrought by the hands of Vancouver B.C. papermaker Reg Lissel. Our pressman, Rollin Milroy selected; Centaur, a significant and beautiful typeface designed by the American typedesigner Bruce Rogers. Printed in Red and Black, each letter handset, the broadside is also crowed by an Alchemical Emblem depicting aspects of the Magnum Opus. With ample 3 inch borders and quality workmanship this broadside is ready to frame and will be an asset to any library or laboratory.

Letterpress printed Emerald Tablet: $40.00 + postage [$8.00 in the US / $12.00 overseas].

Produced in the very limited quantity of 100 copies only [many were pre-sold]. We still have a few available, contact us if you would like to order one. ouroboros @ bookarts .org