The Bodleian Bibliographical Press

Newly-made printing blocks from a 17th-century ballad in the Bodleian Libraries, 4o Rawl. 566(121), showing a man and woman with hats

Newly-made printing blocks, copied from a 17th-century ballad in the Bodleian Libraries, 4o Rawl. 566(121)

Welcome to creative book arts in the library

The Bodleian Bibliographical Press is a living workshop for teaching and experiment inside the Bodleian Library. The workshop offers sessions in learning through making books, using technology from the 15th to the 21st centuries. Sessions take place in the Weston Library for Special Collections and in the letterpress workshop, located in the Old Bodleian Library.

To visit, e-mail bookcentre@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

How to participate

Arrange a bespoke printing session for a course or group, drop in during open sessions in the Weston Library, or register for scheduled workshops and courses listed on the Bodleian Events pages.

For everyone

  • Drop-in printing at the Broad Street Press, located in Blackwell Hall, the main foyer of the Weston Library. See the schedule posted there for public drop-in printing at weekends and special events.
  • Open workshop days. Next date:
    Saturday 16 Nov 12-3 pm  — Drop-in Open day at the Bodleian Bibliographical Press printing workshop
    Schola Musicae, Old Bodleian Library
  • Courses open to the public: see listings to register

For university courses and summer schools

To arrange a demonstration or workshop session, write to: bookcentre@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Costs may apply. Group workshop sessions can be booked during any of the opening hours of the Old Bodleian Library
Monday – Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm

For schools

Arrange a printing session through Bodleian Education: education@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Map showing the location of the Bibliographical Press in the Old Bodleian Library quadrangle
Download a map showing the location of the Bibliographical Press

Equipment at the Bodleian Bibliographical Press

Metal type

List of type holdings at the Bodleian Bibliographical Press, prepared July 2023

Wood type

Paul Nash, Catalogue of the Collection of Wood-Type Donated to The Bibliography Room, Bodleian Library, by Stephen Austin and Sons, 2013 (compiled in 2021)

Machines
  • The ‘Dürer’ Press, a full-size working replica wooden press made by Alan May
  • Large John & Jeremiah Barrett Albion Press of 1835, serial number 539. Platen 17¾” x 24”.  This was the press used by C.H.O. Daniel, Provost of Worcester College, from 1880-1906 and presented to the library in 1919.
  • Medium Miller & Richard Albion Press of 1898, serial number 4993. Platen 12” x 18”. From the Moss Press
  • A Columbian, from the Samson Press (c. 1860)
  • Medium Harrild & Sons Albion Press of 1877, serial number 3531.  Platen 11” x 16”. From Leonard Baskin’s Gehenna Press
  • Small table-top Frederick Ullmer Albion Press of circa 1900, serial number 2919. Platen, 9 ⅞ x 7 in.
  • A star-wheel etching press
  • A ‘Western’ model proofing press, formerly belonging to Vivian Ridler, Printer to the University, by kind permission of the Story Museum.
  • A Risograph (stencil duplicator)
  • A Chinese typewriter (Double Pigeon brand)
  • A Western typewriter (Remington)