James Freemantle is the Bodleian’s Printer in Residence for 2025–26. Freemantle is the proprietor of St James Park Press, a private press established in 2014 that focuses on the fine letterpress printing of illustrated books. His work has been represented in major public institutions, including the National Art Library at the V&A, the Tate Library, and the Bodleian.
This residency will produce two titles. One is Vagrant Birds, a bird-watching notebook about migratory birds appearing outside their normal range. The book is made in connection with the major Bodleian exhibition, ‘The Wonder of Birds’ (May 2026 to January 2027). The second work, Invocation of the Muse, uses the Greek type at the Bodleian Bibliographical Press to print the opening of Homer’s Odyssey.
During his residency, James Freemantle has brought his expertise to the Bodleian’s working letterpress studio demonstrating the historical methods behind items in the Library’s special collections through practical public engagement, with type-setting workshops. James also contributed to the Special Collections Coffee Morning series at the Weston Library on 6 March 2026, when he showed some of his earlier hand-printed works including 1984 and The Beauty of Byrne.
The residency includes a public event at the Weston Library, Oxford, James Freemantle in conversation with Adam Smyth on 12 May at 5pm. Admission is free. Please register to attend at the following link: James Freemantle in conversation with Adam Smyth.