Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1960s-1970s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 box
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Paul Peter Piech was born in Brooklyn in 1920. He studied at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York and the Chelsea School of Art in London. After working in advertising, Piech returned to Chelsea to teach graphic design, also teaching at the London College of Printing and Middlesex Polytechnic. In 1959 Piech set up The Taurus Press at his home in Bushey Heath. This private press produced books which defied usual printing conventions of setting, spacing and layout, often reflecting Piech's deeply held pacifist views, and were illustrated with his trademark linocuts and woodcuts. Piech died in 1996. Further information on the Taurus Press may be found in Kenneth Hardacre, 'The private press of Paul Piech', The Penrose annual 1976: the international review of the graphic arts (ed) Stanley greenwood and Clive Goodacre (Northwood Publications, London, 1976).
Archival history
GB 2925 Piech 1960s-1970s Collection (fonds) 1 box Piech , Paul Peter , 1920-1996 , US artist and printer
Paul Peter Piech was born in Brooklyn in 1920. He studied at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York and the Chelsea School of Art in London. After working in advertising, Piech returned to Chelsea to teach graphic design, also teaching at the London College of Printing and Middlesex Polytechnic. In 1959 Piech set up The Taurus Press at his home in Bushey Heath. This private press produced books which defied usual printing conventions of setting, spacing and layout, often reflecting Piech's deeply held pacifist views, and were illustrated with his trademark linocuts and woodcuts. Piech died in 1996. Further information on the Taurus Press may be found in Kenneth Hardacre, 'The private press of Paul Piech', The Penrose annual 1976: the international review of the graphic arts (ed) Stanley greenwood and Clive Goodacre (Northwood Publications, London, 1976).
Paul Peter Piech donated pieces of his own work to the Library when he lectured at Middlesex during the 1970s and 1980s.
Papers of Paul Peter Piech, 1960s-1970s, mainly comprising copies of books produced by the Taurus Press, his private press begun at his home in Bushey Heath. These books include America and Selected poems, both by William Blake; several are very limited editions. There are also copies of books illustrated by Piech using woodcuts and linocuts.
By appointment. Users should contact the Learning Resource Manager.
At the discretion of the Learning Resource Manager. Copyright currently resides with the estate of Piech.
English
On library catalogue: listed as 'Special books collection'.
Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP Aim25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Dec 2001 Publishing Graphic arts Illustration Illustration printing Piech , Paul Peter , 1920-1996 , US artist and printer Printing Printing methods Taurus Press , private printing press Publishing industry
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Paul Peter Piech donated pieces of his own work to the Library when he lectured at Middlesex during the 1970s and 1980s.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of Paul Peter Piech, 1960s-1970s, mainly comprising copies of books produced by the Taurus Press, his private press begun at his home in Bushey Heath. These books include America and Selected poems, both by William Blake; several are very limited editions. There are also copies of books illustrated by Piech using woodcuts and linocuts.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
By appointment. Users should contact the Learning Resource Manager.
Conditions governing reproduction
At the discretion of the Learning Resource Manager. Copyright currently resides with the estate of Piech.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
On library catalogue: listed as 'Special books collection'.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English