Glas Is Here

After seventeen years of exploration, adventures and life lessons, Glas is finally here.

On Friday I took delivery of a suitably waterproofed pallet of 75 copies of Glas and its accompanying Photography Index. These are the only 75 copies that will ever exist, so they are rare and precious to me and I hope they will be cherished by each new owner that receives one.

I am beyond delighted by the final result. Glas looks and feels gorgeous. The textured cover with debossed silver lettering is luxurious. The paper is thick and silky. The black-and-white images are rich and contrasty and have been reproduced beautifully by Page Bros, my printer in Norwich UK. The sense of relief that everything looks so good is indescribable. It has been a long journey and the final few months have been the most stressful as the book has gone from digital on a screen to a physical thing.

I am now waiting for the final element to be delivered - the slipcases that Glas and the Photography Index will fit into. The slipcases will be covered in the same textured material as the main Glas book, and also will be debossed with silvered lettering. I couldn't commission their manufacture until I had the physical books in my hands as the manufacturer, McCarthy & Sons in London, need the actual books to measure everything accurately. It should be 3-4 weeks before I get those in hand, at which point I can start packing and posting orders.

I'll use that time to sign, number and stamp every book. I'm very nervous about doing this as I can't make any mistakes and every book is precious!

The packaging is proving complex. As a valuable and rare item, I want to ensure books are not damaged in transit, so I've ordered double-walled robust cardboard boxes. I want to keep everything as recyclable as possible so for padding I will be using Scottish sheep wool. The only exception to the recyclable aspect will be foam corner protectors which are essential.

I am aiming to start despatching books at the end of November, dependent on the arrival of the slipcases. I’ll also be at a couple of Christmas fairs in Skye, and I have some new mounted prints and greeting cards coming as well.

It is a bit weird - The photographing and production of Glas has been such a big part of my life that it will be strange not to be working on it.

There are fewer than 30 copies left, so to get yours before they are gone, go here https://www.lens57.com/shop/p/glas.