John T. Kirtley - memoir of the Fanfrolico Press, with and being chiefly reminiscences of George Robertson and W. T. (William Thomas) Jones, compiled in Melbourne (Vic.), 31 May 1959

MLMSS 6215

fonds

31 May 1959

134681

1 volume - 0.01 Meters - Bound folio-size volume in contemporary quarter dark green morocco - 22 leaves of ink manuscript, written on the rectos only, each leaf signed by the author. Contains the bookplates of Harry F. Chaplin and Geoffrey Cains. : ;
Textual Records - (manuscript)

John T. Kirtley (1897-1967) was a self-taught printer with a passion for limited editions and fine press books. He was a co-founder with Jack Lindsay of the Fanfrolico Press in Sydney in 1925, when he altered the imprint of books he was publishing from the Hand-Press of J. T. Kirtley. In 1918 he had met W. T. (William Thomas) Jones, a Director of Angus & Robertson, who introduced him to the publishing and bookselling firm's co-founder, George Robertson. Kirtley credited both men as fundamental influences on his literary education and book collecting. As well as their professional interests in common, the three bibliophiles mixed socially, facilitated by the fact that each had a holiday home at or near Ettalong Beach, near Woy Woy (N.S.W.).