Trovillion Press
Encyclopedia
Violet De Mars Trovillion (1890-?) and Hal W. Trovillion (1879–1967) were publishers based in Herrin, Illinois
who operated local newspapers and a private press
known as Trovillion Private Press at the Sign of the Silver Horse or simply Trovillion Press.
In 1904, after Hal left Indiana University
, he moved to Herrin and took over two local newspapers, The Herrin Daily Journal and the Egyptian
Republican (previously named The Herrin News).
In 1908, influenced by Thomas Bird Mosher
, he started private press publication. Mosher's work was notable for small size, attractive design, high quality paper
and affordable prices, and Trovillion emulated these practices. Works were typically published in editions of a few hundred copies, on fine hand made European papers, with titles printed in gilt
or on paper title cards. Usually every copy was numbered, and hand signed by both of the Trovillions.
The books were almost all short, under 100 pages and often under 50 pages.
Some of the pieces published were by lesser-known works by well-known authors, and sometimes were short pieces typically published as part of larger work. Some of the books were reprints of historical works, generally from the 17th century. A number of books concerning gardening were published, including a reprint of a gardening book from 1617. Some of the works published were by the Trovillions, and some concerned running private presses. The University of Missouri
Library System reports that fifty books were published from 1908 through 1958 http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/privatepresst.htm, and also reports that operations ceased in 1958, though at least one work bears a copyright date of 1960. They also note that the Trovillions sometimes used "Thatchcot", the name of their home, as an imprint.
Some of the Trovillian's correspondence with John Powys has been published in "Powys to the Trovillions: The Letters of John Cowper Powys to Hal and Violet Trovillion", edited by Paul Roberts, 122pp, ISBN 0-900821-95-7.
The Trovillion press archives are at the Morris Library, Southern Illinois University
at Carbondale
.
the sundial was stolen from the yard (both owned by John Fisher). Fisher offered a $1000 reward for its return.http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/Historic_sundial_stolen_from_Illnois_home/20050811-121147-5485r/
The theft was decidedly odd due to the significant weight of the sundial and the difficulty of removing it from its concrete base.
The house, named Thatchcot, in which the Trovillion Press was located, suffered a fire December 7, 2001. Many of the original printings from the press were destroyed. The owner, John Fisher, has still never reached a settlement to restore the historic home.
Herrin, Illinois
Herrin is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,501 at the 2010 census. It is home to Country Musicstar David Lee Murphy, the hometown of baseball's Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman, and the hometown of San Diego State University men's basketball coach Steve...
who operated local newspapers and a private press
Private press
Private press is a term used in the field of book collecting to describe a printing press operated as an artistic or craft-based endeavor, rather than as a purely commercial venture...
known as Trovillion Private Press at the Sign of the Silver Horse or simply Trovillion Press.
In 1904, after Hal left Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
, he moved to Herrin and took over two local newspapers, The Herrin Daily Journal and the Egyptian
Little Egypt (region)
-Early history:The earliest inhabitants of Illinois were thought to have arrived about 12,000 B.C. They were hunter-gatherers, but developed a primitive system of agriculture. After 1000 AD, their agricultural surpluses enabled them to develop complex, hierarchical societies...
Republican (previously named The Herrin News).
In 1908, influenced by Thomas Bird Mosher
Thomas Bird Mosher
Thomas Bird Mosher was an American publisher. He is notable for his contributions to the private press movement in the United States.-Early life:...
, he started private press publication. Mosher's work was notable for small size, attractive design, high quality paper
and affordable prices, and Trovillion emulated these practices. Works were typically published in editions of a few hundred copies, on fine hand made European papers, with titles printed in gilt
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
or on paper title cards. Usually every copy was numbered, and hand signed by both of the Trovillions.
The books were almost all short, under 100 pages and often under 50 pages.
Some of the pieces published were by lesser-known works by well-known authors, and sometimes were short pieces typically published as part of larger work. Some of the books were reprints of historical works, generally from the 17th century. A number of books concerning gardening were published, including a reprint of a gardening book from 1617. Some of the works published were by the Trovillions, and some concerned running private presses. The University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Library System reports that fifty books were published from 1908 through 1958 http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/privatepresst.htm, and also reports that operations ceased in 1958, though at least one work bears a copyright date of 1960. They also note that the Trovillions sometimes used "Thatchcot", the name of their home, as an imprint.
Publications
Publications include:- Vagaries by Munthe, by Axel MuntheAxel MuntheAxel Martin Fredrik Munthe was a Swedish psychiatrist, best known as the author of The Story of San Michele, an autobiographical account of his life and work....
, 1925, 43p, edition of 221 copies. Contains three stories (Rafaella, Toys from the Paris Horizon, and For Those Who Love Music) from Memories and VagariesMemories and VagariesMemories and Vagaries is a collection of short memoirs and essays by Axel Munthe.It has been published in several languages and editions, with differing contents and ordering....
. - the Love Letters of Henry VIIIHenry VIII of EnglandHenry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, 1936, 26p, ASINAsínAsín is a municipality located in the Cinco Villas comarca of the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, located a few kilometers west of Orés. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 106 inhabitants....
B000874CHW. 1945 edition ASINAsínAsín is a municipality located in the Cinco Villas comarca of the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, located a few kilometers west of Orés. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 106 inhabitants....
B0007DUNQQ. - Llewelyn PowysLlewelyn PowysLlewelyn Powys was a British writer and younger brother of John Cowper Powys and T. F. Powys.-Life:Powys was born in Dorchester, the son of a clergyman, and was educated at Sherborne School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. While lecturing in the United States he contracted tuberculosis...
's A Baker's Dozen, published in 1939, shortly after the author's death - A bibliography of Trovillion Private Press operated by Violet & Hal W. Trovillion at the Sign of the Silver Horsehttp://libcat.dartmouth.edu:2082/search?/fT758p%E2%84%93/ft758pl/-3%2C-1%2C0%2CE/frameset&FF=ft758s&1%2C1%2C, by J. Herman Schauinger, 1943, 49p, edition of 277 copies, written for undergraduate credit towards a library scienceLibrary scienceLibrary science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
degree - Visitation at Thatchcot: A Symposium of Little Journeys to the Home of Trovillion Private Press, by Harry R. Burke and F. A. Behymer, 1944.
- The merchant royall, being a sermon preached in 1607 in praise of the wife, wherein she is likened to a merchant ship. Whereunto is added an introd. by Stanley Pargellis, Robert Wilkinson (flourished around 1607), 1945, edition of 477 copies
- The Selfish Giant, Oscar WildeOscar WildeOscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s...
, 1945. Taken from his collection The Happy Prince and Other StoriesThe Happy Prince and Other StoriesThe Happy Prince and Other Tales is a collection of stories for children by Oscar Wilde first published in May 1888. It contains five stories, "The Happy Prince", "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend", and "The Remarkable Rocket"... - The countrie housewife's garden by William Lawson, edition of 1066 copies. Reprint of a book from 1617.
- I Salute the Silver Horse, Being the Story of Trovillion Private Press, America's Oldest Private Press, Whereunto is Added an Account of Its Founding By Hal W. Trovillion, by Paul Jordan-SmithPaul Jordan-SmithPaul Jordan-Smith was an American journalist, editor, and author from Los Angeles, California.He produced an all-English edition of The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton, and, posing as the fictitious "Pavel Jerdanowitch", founded the Disumbrationist school of modern painting as a hoax....
, 1958, 16pp. Note that Trovillion was not the first private press in America, though in 1958 it may have been the oldest currently-active private press. - Sharing by Note Book, by Hal W. Trovillion, 1960, first edition of 497 copies
Correspondence
The Trovillians had extensive literary connections in the U.S. and Europe, corresponding regularly with authors and publishers. Their friends and correspondents included:- type designer Frederic GoudyFrederic GoudyFrederic W. Goudy was a prolific American type designer whose typefaces include Copperplate Gothic, Kennerley, and Goudy Old Style. He also designed, in 1938, University of California Oldstyle, for the sole proprietary use of the University of California Press...
- Dan Byrne Jones
- Daphne du MaurierDaphne du MaurierDame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning DBE was a British author and playwright.Many of her works have been adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca and Jamaica Inn and the short stories "The Birds" and "Don't Look Now". The first three were directed by Alfred Hitchcock.Her elder sister was...
- artist Roscoe Misselhorn, known as "The Norman RockwellNorman RockwellNorman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
of the Midwest" - artist Mathias Noheimer
- John Cowper PowysJohn Cowper Powys-Biography:Powys was born in Shirley, Derbyshire, in 1872, the son of the Reverend Charles Francis Powys , who was vicar of Montacute, Somerset for thirty-two years, and Mary Cowper Johnson, a descendent of the poet William Cowper. He came from a family of eleven children, many of whom were also...
, whom they visited at Corwen in 1938 - Lloyd Emerson Siberellhttp://www.powys-lannion.net/Powys/America/Siberell.htm, a railroad official who was an avid bibliographer with a special intererest in the Powys brothers.
- G. M. TrevelyanG. M. TrevelyanGeorge Macaulay Trevelyan, OM, CBE, FRS, FBA , was a British historian. Trevelyan was the third son of Sir George Otto Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet, and great-nephew of Thomas Babington Macaulay, whose staunch liberal Whig principles he espoused in accessible works of literate narrative avoiding a...
- artist Margaret Ely Webb
Some of the Trovillian's correspondence with John Powys has been published in "Powys to the Trovillions: The Letters of John Cowper Powys to Hal and Violet Trovillion", edited by Paul Roberts, 122pp, ISBN 0-900821-95-7.
The Trovillion press archives are at the Morris Library, Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
at Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest...
.
Sundial
In the early 1930s, the Trovillions purchased an elaborate hand-hammered copper armillary-style sundial in Stockholm, Sweden and installed it in their back yard in Herrin. In July 2005,the sundial was stolen from the yard (both owned by John Fisher). Fisher offered a $1000 reward for its return.http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/Historic_sundial_stolen_from_Illnois_home/20050811-121147-5485r/
The theft was decidedly odd due to the significant weight of the sundial and the difficulty of removing it from its concrete base.
See also
- Amateur Press AssociationAmateur press associationAn amateur press association is a group of people who produce individual pages or magazines that are sent to a Central Mailer for collation and distribution to all members of the group.-Organisation:...
The house, named Thatchcot, in which the Trovillion Press was located, suffered a fire December 7, 2001. Many of the original printings from the press were destroyed. The owner, John Fisher, has still never reached a settlement to restore the historic home.