Founded by Thaddeus Holownia
Stan Bevington of the Toronto based Coach House Press infected me with the letterpress bug. In 1988 I established a small company, the Anchorage Press. I sought out and collected a modest amount of letterpress printing (Vandercook 219 proofing press) and casting equipment (Ludlow Type M Caster) as well as a number of cabinets of matrices for casting and odds and sods of wood and metal type for handsetting. Over the years on an irregular basis I have produced in letterpress and offset printing books, folios, keepsakes, posters and ephemera to suite various exhibitions and other occasions.
My first book was published by the traditional method of submitting a manuscript to a publisher and jumping through the various academic hoops…. Dykelands, my first collaboration with a writer (Douglas Lochhead) was published by McGill/Queen University Press in 1989. A large volume 9x 19” to accommodate the size of prints in their original scale. It was, as have all my subsequent book projects, been true creative collaborations. I come up with an idea and then find an author…a kindred spirit…to flesh out the project and work on it until it seems complete. Since my McGill/ Queens experience, I have controlled all aspects of my book production. From concept, fundraising, design, production and distribution. Books published under the Anchorage Press imprint have been recognized for their integrated design, typography and material with the content. None have had Canada Council support.
Two books printed by me in letterpress and handbound are Ironworks with poems by Peter Sanger and Ova Aves with poems by Harry Thurston. Others of note include large format volumes Arborealis with a long poem by Peter Sanger; Silver Ghost with essays by Harry Thurston. Both of those titles were printed by Hemlock Printers in Burnaby BC and bound at the Rosewell Bindery in Phoenix Arizona.
LINTELS OF PARIS
Photographs by Thaddeus Holownia
Essay by Peter Edwards
A photographic book that explores the exquisite architectural details above the doors in old Paris. Accompanied by an essay that explores the historical time that gave sculptores a voice.
SILVER GHOST
Photographs by Thaddeus Holownia
Essays by Harry Thurston
A collaboration exploring the importance of the salmon river landscape in Atlantic Canada. A large format book with 50 full size stochastic duotone reproductions from 7”x17” film negatives.
EASTPORT
Photographs by Thaddeus Holownia
Essays by John Leroux
Commissioned by the Tides Institute and Museum of Art, EASTPORT is the first in-depth study of a communities architecture along the eastern coast of Maine.
