"Rosie" engraving by Barry Moser

Center for the Book Editions

NO SHORTCUTS: An Essay On Wood Engraving by Barry Moser, 2001

Winner of the Eighth Biannual Carl Hertzog Award for Excellence in Book Design

'There are no shortcuts. A great number of bad wood engravings have to be made before one can expect to make a good one. It is a language, and like all who come new to any language, they have to learn the grammar. And, like grammar, they have to learn it, learn it well, and then forget it.'

Award winning book designer and illustrator Barry Moser is one of the foremost wood engravers in the United States. In a career of over thirty years he has worked on more than 200 fine press and trade books. In No Shortcuts Moser describes the materials and techniques used in relief engraving, and explains, with an occasional digression, learning and perfecting his craft and the philosophies that guide him at work.

No Shortcuts is printed on Domestic Etch paper from Monotype Dante cast at the Bixler Typefoundry. The essay is illustrated with sixteen engravings, including three done especially for this book. The text is accompanied by Moser's informal musings printed as gloss notes, and details from his engravings printed in red. The full Japanese cloth over boards binding is by Larry Yerkes. A limited number of copies are available unbound. 80 pages, 7 5/8 x 10 1/8 inches, 320 copies signed by Moser, $200 plus shipping.

Orders are shipped UPS; charges are based on weight and zone. Sales tax is added to orders shipped to Iowa addresses.

Visa & Mastercard accepted.

To order:
Email: center-for-the-book@uiowa.edu
Telephone: 319-335-0447
216 North Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242