Who are we?

Jardine Press Limited

Co. Reg. No: 4468344
Registered Office:
20 St John's Road
Wivenhoe
Essex
CO7 9DR

tel & fax: 01206 827798
info@jardinepress.co.uk

James Dodds' first publishing venture was an edition of "Peter Grimes" printed in 1984 during his final year at the Royal College of Art. The Folio Society held an annual competition for students of the Royal College to provide illustrations for titles that Folio wished to re-issue, with the winner attaining publication. When he saw "Peter Grimes" on the shortlist of books James immediately recalled an unfinished project by his father, "Radio Times" illustrator Andrew Dodds, and saw the project as one that would re-connect him with the East Anglian Coast. Whilst he didn't win the competition, James decided to publish the edition himself and this was effectively the birth of Jardine Press.

However, it was a few years after graduation that he acquired the platen press (c.1890) made by Jardine of Nottingham – "The Wanderer" became the first title to be printed on this machine, and it seemed natural to publish under the name Jardine Press. Five titles followed: "The Book of Beasts","East Anglia Drawn", "The Legacy", "East Anglian Poems" & "The Wildman of Orford". James' father took an active interest in the company between 1989 and 2003 and during this time they published three collections of his work. Moving to Wivenhoe James first teamed up with fellow Royal College illustrator Allan Drummond to produce "The Wildman of Orford". This was the last book to be hand printed, and was also handbound by James' wife Catherine, who has subsequently designed all the Jardine books. From that point on all Jardine Press publications have been printed by Print Wright Ltd in Ipswich.

The primary function of Jardine Press has always been to promote James' linocuts – which are on view on this website – and his interest in the boats, folklore and history of the East Coast landscape where he feels most at home. However, this doesn't preclude collaborating with other artists and poets. The most enduring and rewarding of these partnerships have been with Wivenhoe's own Martin Newell and Northumberland's Katrina Porteous.

We have now set the website up so that you can buy books and prints directly from us.
We can accept cheques, or payments via PayPal.