A unique opportunity to own a very special work of art. This letter-press print has been produced using traditional methods that Professor Tolkien would have recognized and appreciated, and is limited to just 100 pieces worldwide. It is only available to buy here and once these 100 prints are gone there will be no further copies produced.
It is inspired by and illustrates the wonderful poem, "Oliphaunt", from The Lord of the Rings, which is reproduced on a letter-press using metal type to print the poem and woodblock type to blind emboss the title of the work, and printed on the finest imported heavy stock.
Each print is supplied loosely rolled in its own triangular shipping tube and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artists Richard Ardagh and Graham Bignell of New North Press, and features the corresponding number of limitation.
It is a truly unique item that will form an elegant part of any collection; once framed, it will prove a talking point and treasured heirloom for many years to come. Each print has undergone several stages of crafting over a number of days.
Watch how they were made:
Oliphaunt is a poem recited by Sam the Hobbit in Book IV, Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is an old fireside rhyme of the Shire that describes a legendary beast used by Men out of the South, who build houses and towers upon its back.
The type of the print has been set by hand in two sections: metal type for the poem itself and a wooden type collage for the unprinted impression of the repeated title. Both sections were printed on an Albion Press on pre-damped Moulin du Gue paper. The metal type was printed first and the paper kept damp while the ink dried. The following day the wooden type was 'blind embossed', or pulled without ink and left to lie flat on a drying rack.
Here we have tried to capture the embossed detail on camera:
About Richard Ardagh and and Graham Bignell of New North Press
Richard Ardagh is a London-based graphic designer for whom elephants are a recurring theme. He first encountered Graham Bignell discussing his freak show-inspired Elephant Man poster. Bignell founded New North Press in 1986 and has a substantial library of type and wealth of printing experience. Their collaborative partnership has produced work drawing from the verbal history of London, such as Oranges & Lemons, Pop! Goes the Weasel and an 150th anniversary print for Wilton's Music Hall.
Interview with Richard Ardagh
1. What first attracted you to the idea of producing letterpress prints?
A brief introduction while studying at Central St Martins had given me a flavour, but it wasn't until I met Graham Bignell of New North Press a few years later and had the freedom to experiment that I really caught the bug.
2. How did you first encounter the work of J.R.R. Tolkien?
My mother was a fan and had some beautiful early editions of the books. The first encounter I remember was falling in love with Pauline Baynes' illustrations in a paperback of Smith of Wootton Major.
3. Do you have a particular favourite work?
As a book, probably the paperback I previously mentioned which also contained Tree and Leaf and The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son. I wasn't a great reader when I was young so I found these shorter stories more accessible and subsequently have reread this book the most over the years.
4. Was there any particular reason why you selected 'Oliphaunt' as the poem to use as the subject of your print?
It's a song that had been going round in my head for years. I love the way the opening similes can be read almost like a riddle and I think its simplicity reminds me of the kind of nursery rhymes we've turned into other posters.
5. The print is sold rolled in a tube. Could you offer some advice on how best to hang it for display?
My recommendation is to lay the print flat and allow the paper to relax for a while. When framing, request that the print is float-mounted in a box frame to allow space for the depth created by the emboss.
6. The 'Oliphaunt' print is proving extremely popular with fans and collectors. Have you any plans, or would you like, to produce another print based on J.R.R. Tolkien's work?
I still feel very fortunate to have had my request granted by the Tolkien Estate for this print. Another opportunity to present Tolkien's words would be very welcome – with or without elephants!
Richard Ardagh www.elephantsgraveyard.co.uk
New North Press www.new-north-press.co.uk
