Introducing a Mechanics' Institute Special Collection of Arion Press Fine Print Books
Since 1974, the Arion Press, located in the Presidio in San Francisco, has been publishing limited-edition books at an average rate of 3 titles per year. Their catalogue currently lists a total of 106 titles although several books are out of print. The volumes are hand-crafted from the meticulously hand-set metal type to the hand-made paper that is fed into the letterpress machines to the individually hand-crafted slipcases that the books are stored in. While many of the volumes are literary classics, they also publish contemporary and original works of literature, and most of the volumes are illustrated with original artwork or photographs by prominent artists.
According to Carol Grossman of Biblio Magazine, "From the beginning, Arion Press has been distinguished by its remarkable ability to transform beautifully written words – from ancient tomes to modern classics, from new material to forgotten texts – into compelling works of art that complement the author’s 'voice' and aesthetically capture the essence of the tale. Above all, Arion Press produces books intended to be read and enjoyed. The visual and tactile aspects merely augment, albeit brilliantly, the reader’s experience."
The Mechanics' Institute is very fortunate to have a collection of over 70 volumes of Arion Press books that were donated to the Institute by a long-time member.
Please stop by the 2nd floor of the Library to see a small selection of these books that are on exhibit through September in the Archival Display Cabinet. Among others, you will be able to view Moby-Dick which is considered to be one of the treasures of their catalogue. In 2013, Harvard Magazine wrote, “To study the Arion Press edition of Moby-Dick today is to have an almost sacred experience of the power of physical print….The result is something that one would not think possible: a nearly perfect book.”
