Katherine N. Simitian
Stoke-on-Trent: The Lytlewode Press, 2007.

Being a monograph dealing with the development of an Australian private press featuring eighty-nine etchings printed in the atelier of The Press. A short history of the Littlewood Press from 1996 to 2007 featuring original etchings printed at the Press editioned from its published works and commissioned artists including Sir Lionel Lindsay, Norman Lindsay, Derham Groves, Allan Jordan, Trish Hart, Tony Irving, Pro Hart, Andrew Sibley, Caitlin Littlewood, Robbie Harmsworth, Peter Jones, Marc Severin, and Leslie Tarrant. Bound in stingray, likely the first Australian publication using this skin, the natural white star of the skin forming a decorative emblem to the spine. The idea for this book originated in 1996 when the publisher undertook to print ten additional copies of every etching printed at the press with the intention of creating a history volume at a later date. A number of the etchings are ex libris bookplates. One of the finest Australian art publications, limited to just 10 copies, signed and numbered by the author and the publisher, 5 of which are housed in Australian institutions. This copy is number 10 and includes the original prospectus, The History of The Littlewood Press, featuring an additional Trish Hart etching and signed by the publisher, Robert Littlewood. Issued with 81 of the 89 listed etchings, and with 4 of the Pro Hart etchings supplied twice, making for a total of 85 etchings and photographic portrait of the publisher. The plates not included as per the checklist are: 10. Trish Hart: Nesting Gull; 34. Tony Irving: The Old Kiosk [Black]; 37. Tony Irving: Home Alone [Black]; 39. Tony Irving: Ramsen Place; 40. Tony Irving: Drewery Lane; 42. Tony Irving: Hosier Lane; 43. Tony Irving: Waratah Place; 44. Tony Irving: China Town. The four Pro Hart plates that are included in duplicate are: 45. Singers at the Southern Cross Hotel; 46. Miner’s Kids; 47. Yabbie Picnic; 48. Gethsemane. The plates not included do not appear to have been removed, but as in true Private Press fashion, the difference in actual issue to the stated intention differing as per the whim, requirement, or temperament of the publisher.