“Uncle Umberto’s Orchard,” a short story by Frederic Tuten, will be published in two editions: the edition of 60 will include two silkscreen prints that are inspired by Frederic’s original paintings; the edition of 20 will include three. It’s an honor to be working in tandem with the other masters who are contributing their vast skills, namely Michael and Winifred Bixler (Monotype Walbaum), Jerry Kelly (calligraphy), Papeterie Saint-Armand (custom, handmade paper), Sandy Tilcock (letterpress), Jace Graf (handbound linen), publisher emeritus, Gabriel Rummonds (book design) and, of course, Mark E. Fischer (publisher). 

 

Frederic’s short stories, art and film criticism have appeared in “ArtForum,” “The New York Times,” “Vogue,” “Conjunctions,” “Granta” and “Harpers.” He has written essays and fiction for artists’ catalogs including those of Ross Bleckner, John Baldessari, Eric Fischl, Pierre Huyghe, Jeff Koons, David Salle and Roy Lichtenstein. Frederic has published five novels, three books of short stories and a memoir. His fiction has been translated into nine languages and he is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship for Fiction, the Award for Distinguished Writing from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, three Pushcart Prizes and one O. Henry Prize. 

 

“Plain Wrapper Press Redux was conceived by Mark E. Fischer as a way of reviving a long-standing interest in and passion for creating books in limited editions – books that honor pre-industrial methods of production and books that are capable of stirring the heart by their beauty. As a teenager, Mark had the opportunity to learn from master printer, Gabriel Rummonds at Plain Wrapper Press in Verona, Italy. By the age of 14, he had established his own press, the Stamperia Ponte Pietra, which published four limited editions before he turned 19. Four decades later, Mark took the occasion of Gabriel’s 90th birthday to suggest the revival of Plain Wrapper Press and Gabriel embraced the idea.” 

 

Excerpted from the essay written by Patrick Tilcock.