The Counter Press. Elizabeth Ellis and David Marshall. 3 Dower Cottages, Barrow Hill, Wick, South Glos. BS30 5RQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)7725913618. Website: https://www.thecounterpress.co.uk.
Samuel Johnson. The Idler No.1. Elizabeth Ellis and David Marshall, editors. 2023. 12 pages. 257 x 170 mm. Diethelm on Velin BFK Rives Blanc 180 gsm. Printed on Grafix GX1N & Vandercook SP20. 50 copies hand bound at The Counter Press in deckle-edged Somerset Velvet Newsprint Grey 280 gsm with pink thread matched to the pink ink used. OP. Samuel Johnson began writing “The Idler” essays anonymously in 1758, publishing 103 over two years. Roused from idleness, we have chosen to republish some of these, beginning with ’The Idler No.1’ – the original text is accompanied here by definitions from Dr Johnson’s famous dictionary. Typesetting is by hand in various sizes of founders’ Diethelm, and letterpress printed in three colours. A 26-line condensed grotesque wood letter, giving the definition of an ‘Idler’, features on the inside covers.