Writer Richard King tells us about our recent collaboration: a letterpress print to accompany his latest book with Faber.
This print lists some of the key events in recent Welsh history, which are the subject of my new book Brittle With Relics, A History of Wales 1962 -97.
In the early 1960s, the author and academic Meic Stephens painted the words ‘Cofiwch Drweryn’ on a stone wall near Llanrhystud, Ceredigion. Stephens created the graffiti in response to the decision of Liverpool City Council to flood the village of Capel Celyn, Trywern, North Wales in order to build a reservoir to pump water to the city.
The phrase Cofiwch Dryweryn (the D in Dryweryn is a mutation of the proper noun Tryweryn’s T) is now synonymous with a renewed sense of small ‘n’ national self-confidence and is ubiquitous in parts of Wales; a professional graffiti artist I know receives regular commissions from primary schools to create murals of the phrase on exteriors walls and playgrounds.
Translated into English the print reads:
Remember Trerweryn
Remember Aberfan
Remember The Miners’ Strike
Remember Devolution
Remember Wales Is Not For Sale
This final phrase uses ‘Nad’ rather than the more familiar ‘nid’ as ‘Cofiwch’ is used here in the imperative.
Historically a sense of assertiveness in our country has been dismissed as ‘Welsh Nationalism’.
The phrase ‘Welsh Optimism’ seems closer to the energy now circulating within Wales.
Nick tells us about the print
The print uses a new Fenner paper called Paperwise natural, it has a nice smooth surface which work wells on the proofing press with the letterpress process.
I like the idea of constructing a typographic print by feel and eye. In other words, not planning on a computer (which we do with some work) but constructing it directly on the press. It felt like the typography should be clear and bold, so using the two colours felt appropriate, and also links the print visually with the book.
We used Gill Sans Regular 6 line wood type, that is great to use as you can build it with the 6 line Resolite furniture and it’s a fun (lego-like) process. It was printed on the FAG 40 proofing press which is always great to work with and easy and quick for an edition like this.
It’s been important for us to work on less ephemeral work where we can, and Brittle with Relics is an important book at an important time. Community is always important, and I think that this book and the meaning behind this print is founded on strong community. For me, you could also substitute community for socialism. Work like this comes from the heart.
Richard King will be discussing his book at Friendly Records on Thursday 7 April (Tickets for Bristol) and at The Social in London Friday 8 April (Tickets for London) as part of his book tour. Information for other events via Richard’s Instagram.
The print is 670x350mm and is available from our online shop for £25 + P&P.