FROM the day, soon after his demobilisation from the Army
after the First World War. when he came upon a bookshop in Piccadilly 'where an astonishing display of sumptuous, dazzling, richly decorated books caught my eye and arrested my steps,' Oliver Simon's constant pre- occupation was typography and the produc- tion of superb books, until his name became synonymous with all that is best in the making of books. His autobiography, published only a few days before his death, tells of his restless endeavours from 1920 on, not only in this country but in many other parts of the world, to make the acquaintance of and exchange views with writers, artists, printers, publishers, and makers of type, ink and paper so that he could acquire and apply the knowledge needed to produce printing and books of superlative quality. Printer and Playground, a lovely ex- ample of bookcraft, is clear proof that he attained the high standard he aimed at.
GEORGE SERCOMBE
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