This section on Forthcoming books is always written with a certain determined. wistfulness. Making books as we do, almost entirely by hand, and often with substantial texts, is an occupation haunted by chance. While the books are certainly under way, and will be finished, we have learned that projected dates are endlessly flexible – not because we wish them to be, but because those metaphysical bureaucrats, the Fates, become increasingly jocular as we get older. So we ask your patience, and invite your trust. The books will emerge. This, together with death and taxes, is sure.

The longest-awaited and most important book we have ever produced is certainly The Play of Pericles Prince of Tyre, an edition of Shakespeare’s romance, which has occupied us (with some other projects along the way) for ten years. Work on the text, edited by Crispin Elsted, occupied more than five years; preliminary discussions with Simon Brett about the illustrations went on over a period of eighteen months – and these continued, almost page by page, as he worked on the engravings.

Pericles is surely our most beautiful book to date. The publication has been shunted forward by some years since we first announced it, as other work and health issues have required both us at the press and Simon Brett in England to put the project aside for periods of time, but the first volume (the play itself) is now printed and with the binders, and the second volume, which includes extensive notes on the text and a major essay on the play, as well as a fine essay by Simon Brett on the planning and engraving of the blocks, is proceeding quickly, as it is purely text. As I write, in December 2010, more than three-quarters of the book is printed. The completed sheets will be at the binders by the end of the year. The leather for the bindings is on its way from England, the vellum for the labels ordered from Holland, and events march … or at least are ambulatory.

Of the edition of 100 standard copies of Pericles, fewer than a dozen remain unsubscribed at this writing. Verbum sat sapienti. The 16 Deluxe copies have long been subscribed, and we have a waiting list in case anyone has second thoughts, although so far this has not happened.

Other publications, some of which have been delayed as well because of scheduling with Pericles, include Pictures & Stories [Endgrain Editions Four], a major overview of the renowned American engraver Gaylord Schanilec’s colour engravings, which will be interspersed with the artist's own narratives about their inspiration and the processes of their creation. This book will now be printed in the autumn and winter of 2010, and we hope to publish the book in the spring of 2011. (Remember that subscribers to Endgrain Editions will receive their 20% series discount on this volume.)

While Jan is working on Pictures & Stories, Crispin will be starting work on an important book about the Curwen Press. In 2009 we acquired the entire Curwen collection of Monotype ornaments, together with well over a hundred standing borders used in their work for many clients, press proofs of the borders in use, and over a hundred packets of new ornaments still in the foundry wrappings. Bordering on the Sublime: Ornamental Typography at the Curwen Press will reprint these borders, most in two or more colours, and provide essays on the press history, their work with ornaments, and the use of ornaments generally. We hope to have copies for the autumn of 2011.

Other projects are being planned in various areas, including subsequent additions to Endgrain Editions (Richard Wagener and Simon Brett), and an edition of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night illustrated with wood engravings. As things progress and books are completed, we will bring you news of other projects which we hope you will find pleasing, stimulating — and of course irresistible!