Ron King, The Looking Book, Circle Press

The Looking Book celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the Circle Press and coincided with a major retrospective called “Through the Looking Book” at the National Theatre. Like many of the limited edition artists’ books published by this private press, its use of quality papers, paper sculpture and original embossed illustrations by founder and artist Ron King, make it an object of beauty in its own right. The Looking Book presents a history of the press and eight projects by King and other Circle Press artists and poets.

The design reflects King’s brief that this book should have its own unique personality and be much more than a documentation of existing projects. Different papers are used to identify the sections of the book – recycled, uncoated stock for the essay on the history of Circle Press, and a silk matt cream coated stock for the section featuring the most important projects. Two original pieces by King have been included – the embossed illustration on the jacket cover and a pop-up section in the middle of the book.