HAMMER CREEK PRESS. DEPOL, John. ~ Wood Engravings by John DePol for the Hammer Creek Press.
42 wood engravings by DePol of the four seasons, scenes of Hammer Creek, Press devices, trademarks etc. All printed on a hand press by John Fass. Pp.24. 22 x 16.5 cms. 8vo., stiff patterned paper wrappers, sewn on the outside in japanese styple, printed label on upper cover, fore and lower edges uncut. A very good copy.
John Strobble Fass (1890-1973) was a graphic designer and printer of fine press books who designed books for the leading American publishers of limited edition books. Early in his career he worked for publishing house of William Rudge where he learned a great deal from Bruce Rogers. In 1925 Fass founded the Harbor Press in New York which specialised in creating fine editioned books. This press closed in 1939 and Fass began printing exquisite books from his single-room home at the Bronx YMCA first under the name Hell-Box Press and later he began the Hammer Creek Press in the 1950s. He used an Albion with an extraordinary provenance. He bought it from Valenti Angelo, who also illustrated a number of Hammer Creek Press titles. Angelo had got the press from Bruce Rogers who in turn had procured it from the great Emery Walker.
John DePol (1913-2004) was a New York wood engraver. He was inspired by his city and was well known for his work with John Fass at the Hammer Creek Press, the Yellow Barn Press and the Stone House Press.