Taming the Bicycle

Mark Twain is an author needing no introduction! Our inaugural publication is his infrequently published essay "Taming the Bicycle". This humorous work recounts his learning to ride a penny farthing bicycle when that technology was in its infancy in the late 19th century. Twain's gentle prose not only chronicles his travails on the bike but also seems to speak to those folks determined to try new ideas and experiences no matter what the rest of the neighbourhood may think of them.

This edition was composed in Neacademia Text and printed letterpress from polymer plates on Hahnemühle Biblio paper on a Vandercook #4 proof press. The book is Bradel bound by hand in Kennett bookcloth and Zerkall Ingres paper.

The portrait of Mark Twain is a tipped in, hand pulled photogravure made from a 1907 photograph by AH Bradley, courtesy of the Library of Congress.

All design, printing, and binding were completed at Meander Press by Allan Phoenix.

The book measures six by nine inches, twenty four pages and is printed in an edition of 100 copies. Fall 2022.