Fine Press Books
Fine press books are similar to deluxe books in the great attention to detail paid during their construction, the distinction comes with how the material is presented. Fine press books focus more on the literary content of the text. They are created in the spirit of the arts and crafts movement; fine press books exemplify the rewards of expert craftsmen. They are marked by their fine and often labor intensive binding techniques and their intricate letterpresses.
One of the most important fine press book presses was the Kelmscott Press. It was established in the late 19th Century by William Morris. What is widely considered Kelmscott Press's finest achievement is The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (Kelmscott Chaucer). This book is somewhat atypical of Kelmscott books and the arts and crafts movement in general. The Kelmscott Chaucer's illustrated pages, decorative capitals and overall grandeur is more akin to the aesthetics of a deluxe book.
