Oak Knoll

Printed by hand in an edition of 92 numbered copies, of which this is one of 52 copies printed on Zerkall paper. A fine copy in fine slipcase.

Set in Caslon Old Face 14 point by James Freemantle and printed on smooth white Zerkall paper. This book is a facsimile edition reprint of the third book printed by Freemantle at St. James Park Press.

Many books since the dawn of print-making have cemented their importance in history, and the Aurora Australis is no exception. First published during Sir Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition, 1907-9, the Aurora Australis happens to have a unique story much different from other monumental books in that it was the first book printed in Antarctica with a small Albion hand-press that was brought with them on their voyage. Each of the copies that were created were uniquely bound using supplies from the holds of the ships, such as milk crates, egg cartons, and grain sacks. The book was originally printed with Caslon Old Face type and materials, including Abbey Mills Greenfield paper, to produce a limited edition letterpress printed book, despite the hostile conditions they faced during the printing process.

First published in 2019, this facsimile edition of Freemantle's An Albion in the Antarctic features a fully-illustrated history of the preliminary planning of the expedition, paper samples to be used for the book, transportation of the materials, and the subsequent production and return to England. The book also features an additional Foreword by Shackleton expert Jan Piggott (who had previously written an accompanying essay to the Folio Society's own facsimile of Aurora Australis) and a new Preface, neither in the first edition.

James Freemantle is a printer and book artist originally starting his Press in London near St. James Park (hence the name) and now resides in Stansted. He studied English Literature with Film before moving into legal studies. Not only is he a private press printer, but he is also a book collector, with a focus in late 19th - early 20th century fine press books. He displays his work at numerous fine press book fairs around the world, and his works are held in collections of a great deal of notable institutions such as V&A, Yale, the University of Texas' Harry Ransom Center, and the Bodleian Library (to name a few).