You Can’t Choose Your Progeny

R. Milroy

A short essay, subsequently incorporated into Elements in Correlation, discussing the influence of the Doves Press on HM’s aesthetic. The project was conceived both as a means to make appropriate use of a group of 23 vellum leaves from the Doves Press’ 1914 collection of poems by Shelley, and to try out some of the format and design ideas for Elements. This book succeeded in confirming the ideas needed to be rethought, which led to Elements becoming HM’s first book printed from polymer plates.

In addition to the essay, Progeny includes a three-page foreword detailing the provenance of the vellum leaves, and extracts from Cobden-Sanderson’s own journals about the printing of vellum copies at Doves (including one extract specifically about the Shelley sheets).

Set in 18-pt Perpetua and printed on HM Text paper. Edition of 23 press-numbered copies (the edition determined by the number of vellum leaves available), plus five hors commerce copies (I–V) that included a Doves leaf printed on paper. Bound by Claudia Cohen: sewn on four vellum paper slips, and laced into a limp case made from Reg Lissel’s opague white vellum paper, with gold lines tooled on the front and back, and the title stamped on the spine. 4to, 15 pp. 2008