The Good Book Press
Encyclopedia
The Good Book Press was a fine press book publisher, founded in 1977 by Peter and Donna Thomas
of Santa Cruz, California
. The proprietors produced the books by hand. Peter Thomas (aka Peter Papermaker) made the paper and Donna Thomas illustrated the books predominately with linoleum cuts. The Thomases handset the type, letterpress printed the books, and bound the books by hand. Many of their works were sold at the California Renaissance Fair
.
The Good Book Press specialized in miniature books, often fairy tales or fables. Many were original texts by Peter Thomas. The Good Book Press’s final work was their 1987 edition of poet William Everson
’s eulogy for the death of Robinson Jeffers, titled “The Poet is Dead.”
The introduction of personal computers revolutionized production of fine press books. Artists from different mediums began to explore the books as art. In 1988, declaring that they were no longer publishers, but rather artists working in the medium of the book, Peter and Donna dropped the Good Book Press imprint and began creating their books under their new imprint: Peter and Donna Thomas: Santa Cruz.
Peter and Donna Thomas
Peter and Donna Thomas are American papermakers, book artist, and authors.Peter R. Thomas graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA degree in Aesthetic Studies in 1978. Donna Thomas Peter and Donna Thomas are American papermakers, book artist, and authors.Peter R. Thomas (b....
of Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
. The proprietors produced the books by hand. Peter Thomas (aka Peter Papermaker) made the paper and Donna Thomas illustrated the books predominately with linoleum cuts. The Thomases handset the type, letterpress printed the books, and bound the books by hand. Many of their works were sold at the California Renaissance Fair
Renaissance Fair
A Renaissance fair, Renaissance faire, or Renaissance festival is an outdoor weekend gathering, usually held in the United States, open to the public and typically commercial in nature, which emulates a historic period for the amusement of its guests. Some are permanent theme parks, others are...
.
The Good Book Press specialized in miniature books, often fairy tales or fables. Many were original texts by Peter Thomas. The Good Book Press’s final work was their 1987 edition of poet William Everson
William Everson
William Everson , also known as Brother Antoninus, was an American poet of the San Francisco Renaissance and was also a literary critic and small press printer.-Beginnings:Everson was born in Sacramento, California...
’s eulogy for the death of Robinson Jeffers, titled “The Poet is Dead.”
The introduction of personal computers revolutionized production of fine press books. Artists from different mediums began to explore the books as art. In 1988, declaring that they were no longer publishers, but rather artists working in the medium of the book, Peter and Donna dropped the Good Book Press imprint and began creating their books under their new imprint: Peter and Donna Thomas: Santa Cruz.