Paul Peter Piech Collection

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.

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).

By appointment. Users should contact the Art & Design Subject Liaison Librarian.

Paul Peter Piech donated pieces of his own work to the Library when he lectured at Middlesex Polytechnic during the 1970s and 1980s.

Original description compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP Aim25 project in December 2001. Revised by Judy Vaknin, 2003.

Listed on library catalogue.

At the discretion of the Art & Design Subject Liaison Librarian. Copyright currently resides with the estate of Piech.

None expected