The complete published run of this ambitious modern successor to Ackermann's Microcosm of London, comprising all three issued parts with six superb original etchings, including an extraordinary 121 cm hand-coloured panorama of Paddington Station.

Bibliographic Details

Publisher: Jerry Leese.
Title: New Microcosm of London. Parts 1–3 (all published).
Place: London.
Publisher: The Stellar Press.
Dates: 1986–1987.
Edition: First editions.
Format: Three folio issues in the original printed paper wrappers, loose as issued.
Letterpress: Printed on laid, watermarked paper.
Etchings: Six original etchings printed on heavy Italian paper (one on Fabriano paper), comprising four single-sheet plates, one double-page etching and one spectacular four-panel folding hand-coloured etching.
Artists: Chris Orr, Belinda Channer and John Hewitt.
Size: Folio, approximately 41.6 × 31.3 cm.

Condition

Near Fine. Immaculately preserved throughout and carefully collated complete. The paper wrappers remain crisp, while all six original etchings are exceptionally clean, fresh impressions. Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, or examine the gallery images closely.

Description

An exceptionally scarce opportunity to acquire the complete published run of Jerry Leese's ambitious New Microcosm of London, a beautifully produced bibliophile publication conceived as a twentieth-century successor to Rudolph Ackermann's celebrated Microcosm of London (1808–1810). Although initially projected to comprise ten parts, only the first three numbers were ever published, making complete surviving sets decidedly uncommon.

Issued between August 1986 and May 1987, the series sought to capture the architecture, people and atmosphere of contemporary London through the combined talents of leading British printmakers and fine letterpress printing. Echoing Ackermann's original concept, each part combines scholarly text with original etched prints, all intended eventually to be bound into a unique collector's volume after completion of the series.

The present set contains a remarkable total of six original etchings, each printed as a genuine artist's print on heavyweight Italian paper. The centrepiece is undoubtedly Chris Orr's magnificent hand-coloured panorama of Paddington Station, protected by its original tissue guard and folding out across four panels to an astonishing 121 × 41.7 cm, creating one of the most impressive modern architectural etchings issued in any British fine press publication.

The remaining prints are equally desirable. Belinda Channer contributes finely executed views of Smithfield Market (printed in colour) and The Royal Festival Hall, both signed, dated and numbered 20/200 by the artist. John Hewitt supplies two atmospheric etchings depicting the gymnasium and public bar of the Thomas à Becket public house, while Chris Orr's large double-page etching of the House of Commons chamber, signed and dated by the artist, concludes the published series in suitably dramatic fashion.

The publishers anticipated an edition of 200 copies, as reflected by the numbering of Channer's prints, yet it seems highly probable that substantially fewer complete sets were actually produced. The extraordinary expense of commissioning original etchings, printing on premium handmade papers and employing high-quality letterpress production almost certainly contributed to the premature abandonment of the project after only three parts.

Unlike conventional illustrated books, the etchings remain loose as originally issued, allowing collectors either to preserve the publication in its intended format or to frame individual prints without disturbing the accompanying text. The result is both a sophisticated artist's portfolio and an important modern private-press publication.

The work documents London's architecture and urban life during the mid-1980s through the eyes of distinguished contemporary printmakers, creating a fascinating modern counterpart to Ackermann's celebrated survey of Regency London nearly two centuries earlier.

An outstanding acquisition for collectors of London topography, British printmaking, Chris Orr, Belinda Channer, private press books, fine press publications, artist's books and modern illustrated books.

Notes

The prospectus announced an intended sequence of ten parts to be completed by 1989, but the project ceased after the publication of Number 3, making this the complete published series.

Particularly notable for the magnificent 121 cm hand-coloured folding etching of Paddington Station, one of the largest and most visually impressive prints issued in a modern British fine press publication.