Third Place Books is an independent Seattle book store that invites national and local authors to give free public readings. Several times a year Third Place selects a book, typically a local author, for which I design and print a limited edition letterpress printed broadsides celebrating the launch of a book.
A selection of prints from the past 13 years are presented below. (Read more about the series.)
Deep River by Karl Marlantes
July 2019 (11 x 15 inches)
The newest edition to this series is a broadside for Karl Marlantes’ newest novel, Deep River, a “rich family saga about Finnish immigrants who settle and tame the Pacific Northwest, set against the early labor movements, World War I, and the upheaval of early twentieth-century America.”
This illustrated piece was inspired by Finnish folk art and the brilliant blue colors of the Pacific Northwest’s summer sunsets. It was designed and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates using a 1903 Colt’s Armory platen press by Amy E. Redmond.
Attendees of Karl’s Seattle reading and book signing on July 8, 2019 at Third Place Books’ Lake Forest Park store will receive a signed copy of this limited edition art print with each purchase of Deep River.
West of Here by Jonathan Evison
february 2011
Printed in commemoration of author Jonathan Evison’s 2005 reading of West of Here at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The design was created digitally and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates using a 1903 Colt’s Armory platen press.
Border Songs by Jim Lynch
June 2009 (7 x 15 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author Jim Lynch and his June 2009 reading of Border Songs at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The design was created digitally and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates using a 1903 Colt’s Armory platen press.
Sunnyside by Glen David Gold
May 2009 (10 x 14 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author Glen David Gold and his May 2009 reading of Sunnyside at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The design was created digitally and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates using a 1903 Colt’s Armory platen press.
Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos
December 2008 (8.5 x 19 inches)
Printed in commemoration of Seattle author Stephanie Kallos and her December 2008 reading of Sing Them Home. The design was created on the computer and printed from photopolymer plates on Daniel Smith Lenox paper using a Vandercook SP-15 press.
So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger
JULY 2008 (15 x 11 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author Leif Enger and his July 2008 reading of So Brave, Young, and Handsome at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The design was created digitally and printed from photopolymer plates using a Vandercook SP-15 press.
The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon
May 2007 (11 x 15 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author Michael Chabon’s May 2007 reading of The Yiddish Policeman’s Union at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The design was created digitally and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates using a Vandercook SP-15 press.
Surveillance by Jonathan Raban
February 2007 (9.25 x 14.5 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author Jonathan Raban’s February 2007 reading of Surveillance. Inspired by letter forms and ornaments found in a letterpress shop, the design was created on the computer and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates on Daniel Smith Lenox paper using a Vandercook SP-15 press.
Joe Sacco Author Reading
September 2006 (8 x 18 inches)
Printed in commemoration of Portland, Oregon author/artist Joe Sacco for his September 2006 reading at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The illustration and typography are Joe Sacco’s, letterpress printed from photopolymer plates on chipboard using a Vandercook SP-15 press. Color was added by hand, using watercolor paints.
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell
April 2006 (7 x 15 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author David Mitchell’s April 2006 reading of his book Black Swan Green at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The wood type letter forms in the word “Mine” were scanned from hand-inked proofs I took of wood type in the School of Visual Concept’s letterpress shop, which were then combined with images and text composed digitally. The final print was printed on Magnani Pescia (an Italian cotton paper) from photopolymer plates using a Vandercook SP-15 press.
The Three Incestuous Sisters by Audrey Niffenegger
October 2005 (7.25 x 18.25 inches)
Printed in commemoration of artist Audrey Niffenegger’s October 2005 visit to Third Place Books, in celebration of the commercial printing of her artist’s book The Three Incestuous Sisters.
The illustration and typography are Audrey’s, which I composed into this layout and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates on Magani Pescia paper using a Vandercook SP-15 press. The “red hair” is a piece of thread, which I sewed onto each of the 150 prints in the edition.
Blinding Light by Paul Theroux
2005 (11 x 15 inches)
Printed in commemoration of author Paul Theroux’s 2005 reading of Blinding Light at Seattle’s Third Place Books. The design was created digitally and letterpress printed from photopolymer plates using a Vandercook 4 press.
With over 2 decades of experience in agency and studio settings, Amy Redmond is a visual designer who thrives on variety, creating print and interactive work for corporate and non-profit clients. To keep her creativity refreshed, Amy balances digital design with time in her letterpress studio (Amada Press) in Seattle. She also teaches at the School of Visual Concepts.