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Bloomsbury Jamboree On Ice

November 1, 2020
by the gentle author

Since we cannot hold our Bloomsbury Jamboree at the Art Workers Guild this December, we have put it on ice until next year. In the meantime, in collaboration with publishing pals, Joe Pearson of Design for Today and Tim Mainstone of Mainstone Press, we present our twelve books of Christmas to cheer your spirits and entrance your friends and family during the long winter nights.

An exploration of the work Paul & Marjorie Abbatt, dipping into the world of thirties British modernism and celebrating the colourful wooden toys sold in their Erno Goldfinger-designed London shop.

A guide to setting yourself up to screen print at home. You do not need expensive equipment just passion and enthusiasm, which this riso book has in buckets!

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s first book of his tenure, a contemporary re-working of the Brothers Grimm tale, set in a war-torn land, illustrated by Clive Hicks-Jenkins.

A celebration of the art of the matchbook as handed out at the ‘Mom & Pop’ motels of the fifties and sixties. Twenty-eight matchbook covers have been lovingly screen printed for this book.

“This sumptuous reissue with a meticulously researched and well-illustrated commentary by Alan Powers will delight devotees alike of Piper’s idiosyncratic artwork and Brighton.” TLS

Showcasing the remarkable talent of wood engraver, Eric Ravilious. Author James Russell sets out to discover the places that inspired Ravilious, explore the books he illustrated and meet the people he portrayed.

A riot of colour and delicious book jacket design covering seven decades from one of our favourite illustrators. “Buy 10 copies and declare your Christmas shopping done.” Sunday Times

Martin Salisbury explores the range of John Minton’s graphic work, from book and magazine illustration, dust jacket design and press advertising, to film posters, stamps, and wallpaper.

More than six hundred of the Gentle Author’s favourite photographs of London, setting the wonders of our modern metropolis against the pictorial delights of the ancient city and celebrating the infinite variety of life in the capital.

In this first London Sikh biography, Suresh Singh tells the candid and surprising story of how his father came to Spitalfields in 1949. Includes family recipes to cook your own Sikh feast.

“This small, beautiful book is an elegy to companionship. Encompassing both the everyday and the profound, it should be judged no less valid for the fact that the friend in question is a cat.” TLS

The appalling life of Joseph Merceron (1764–1839), East End gangster and corrupt magistrate, who accumulated enormous wealth while presiding over the creation of the poorest slums in Georgian London.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT DESIGN FOR TODAY

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MAINSTONE PRESS

CLICK HERE TO VISIT SPITALFIELDS LIFE BOOKS

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5 Responses leave one →
  1. November 1, 2020

    What a wonderful collection from three very special publishers. As independent bookshops including Daunt Books where I work face the frightening prospect of closing our doors at this crucial time of year, it is more important than ever that we support one another. I’m glad the jamboree is not gone but just on ice and I look forward to the time when we can celebrate together again. How wonderful that will be!

  2. Jill Wilson permalink
    November 1, 2020

    When I saw the title of this blog I took it literally and imagined that there was going to be a new setting for the jamboree actually on ice – a bit like the old frost fairs held on the Thames!

    I’m sorry that it won’t be happening this year as it was very good last time and there was so much interesting, creative and quirky stuff on show and for sale. Roll on Jamboree 2021!

    The books above look great though – again lots of fascinating design books which I’d love to see.

    And if anyone hasn’t read The Boss of Bethnal Green yet I thoroughly recommend it… if we think we are living in times of corrupt politicians and self serving local councillors now it is nothing compared to what the people had to endure in Regency London!

    Stay safe everyone, and happy reading.

  3. November 1, 2020

    Wonderful Range of Cover Printing and Book Design. Indeed a Typographical Sensation!

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

  4. November 1, 2020

    Clive Hicks-Jenkins is one of your national treasures. I’ve been a fan of his for several years.
    I love the way he introduces some of your classic folk elements into his current-day/ handsome work. Toy theaters, yes. Pottery pitchers, yes. Staffordshire dogs, yes. His work has power, gentleness, visual uniqueness, seductive story-telling.

    I believe his Hansel & Gretel project was recently awarded a prize by the V&A.
    I highly recommend “Design For Today” and have acquired many of their editions. Your British artists are truly amazing, and it is grand to have a resource for collecting their work.

    Onward, illustrators!!!

  5. David Green permalink
    November 3, 2020

    Back when design was still an art and not every arse with a Mac considered themself ‘a designer’. Not to mention, that like good design, laying out clean and properly kerned type is gone as well.

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