Manual by George Hardie – signed

Signed and numbered edition of 99. (This is actually signed twice, on pages 36 and 71).
74 pages* (see note below), hand sewn, cloth bound with foil on spine.

There are around 70 processes that need to happen to complete each book.

‘Manual’ is a book started by George Hardie in the 1990s, that was exhibited and intended to be published in 2004.

The book was never published until now…

George Hardie was a Professor of Illustration at the University of Brighton retiring in 2014. While at the University, George started the publication with the support of the then Centre for Research Development. This is where designer Gavin Ambrose first met George, and following George’s retirement colleagues within the University would often bring items to Gavin to pass onto George. Those of you that know George will know he is an avid collector (some may say hoarder) and many of the items that were found included parts of a book. This led to the collaboration to finish and publish the book.

The book contains 51 things either hand painted, applied or glued into the main book block.

* The book is stated as being 74 pages, and in part this is true. But as with many of George’s work it involves a little trickery. It is actually printed as a 84 page book block, and then once bound, has pages carefully cut out to allow space for the items that are then hand inserted into the book to fit. This clever technique prevents the book being stressed and fanning.

‘Manual’ explores all the printing processes George used within his work including screen-printing, using found stationery, laser cutting, stamping and foiling. The book also makes use of young children (as fellow artists not slave labour!) and nearly every page is a new technique.