Little presses are not Miniature Big Presses. Nor is the word ‘Little’ a term of endearment. [...] The difference between Little Presses and Big Presses is not in their respective sizes, nor in their loveability [sic], but in the Minds that are behind them. [...] Both minds may be most magnificent, but they start working from two opposite ends. A really Big Press Mind starts with Market Research. [...] The Minds behind Little Presses work in a different way. [...] They start with a Thought. Stefan Themerson, ‘Introduction’ to the Catalogue of little press books in print published in the United Kingdom, 1974
‘Short run’: experimental book design & London’s little presses is an exhibition and illustrated talk showcasing the book design and production practices of five London-based little presses: Stuart Montgomery’s Fulcrum Press, Stefan and Franciszka Themerson’s Gaberbocchus Press, Roy Lewis’s Keepsake Press, Asa Benveniste’s Trigram Press, and Bob Cobbing’s Writers Forum. This exhibition focuses on the heyday of little press publishing in London (1945–1979), from the end of World War 2 to the beginning of Thatcher’s government.
An important aspect of little press publishing was each publisher’s direct involvement in the design and production of their books. The design approach of a press was largely dependent on the publisher’s available resources and connections that contributed to the unique identity of the imprints. With little presses, production was an integral aspect of design, and design decisions were directly linked to available production processes and materials. Pursuing low-cost options, little press publishers were inventive in their methods of adding value to books by using coloured papers, alternative forms of lettering and experimental printing techniques.
Each of the five little presses featured in this exhibition had a unique approach to publishing and was run in a distinct, individual manner based on the publisher’s personality and agenda. The exhibition shows how this was reflected in the design and production of the books they published.
The exhibition features a variety of rarely seen artefacts from private archives and collections. First editions, photographs, artwork, correspondence, layout sketches and illustrations allow us to gain a true understanding of the nature of book design and production of little presses in this post-WW2 period.
The exhibition is curated by Rathna Ramanathan. Rathna is a graphic designer and lecturer from Chennai, India now based in London. The exhibition is based on Rathna’s PhD in the History of Graphic Communication and Typography from the University of Reading. A practising designer, Rathna has her own studio minus9 and splits her time between India and the UK. Her clients include BBC World Service, World Bank and Tara Books. Her work has received a number of international design awards. Rathna has taught design and typography in India and currently teaches at Central Saint Martins on the BA and MA programmes. She is the Secretary of the Printing Historical Society and ATypI’s Delegate for India.
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