Readings from printers' manuals provide insight on printing techniques from the late 17th through the 19th century. In two hefty volumes, Rummonds, the founding director of the MFA in the Book Arts program at the U. of Alabama and the author of the classic Printing on the Iron Handpress (1998), introduces chapters on topics including the printing office and its personnel; setting up and maintaining the iron handpress; composition and correcting; paper; inks and inking apparatus; printing in gold, bronzing, and embossing; printing wood engravings and other relief illustrations; stereotype and electrotype printing; fine presswork; and the warehouse. Both volumes are nicely punctuated with rare and scarce woodcuts, engravings, and photographs. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less