Oliphaunt Limited Edition Print

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Synopsis

This letterpress print is one of a limited printing of 100 copies, which have been printed and numbered by hand by the artists, Richard Ardagh and Graham Bignell at New North Press.

The print reproduces the poem, "Oliphaunt", as 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 are printed on an Albion Press on pre-damped Moulin du Glue paper. The metal type is printed first and paper kept damp while the ink dries. The following day the wooden type is 'blind embossed' or pulled without ink and placed on the drying rack.

The printing is strictly limited to a run of 100 posters which are for sale worldwide; there will be no further copies produced. 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.

Take a look at our special feature page for more images and a video on how this print was made.