Yes, that’s correct, The LIQUORSTORE pomes by James Bernard Gross with an introduction by Toby Olson, is the latest book rolling out of the Deep Wood Press foundry/pressroom/bindery. This book is a collection of 36 poems centered around James’ father Herman Gross, growing up in Gary and Chicago and the Liquor Stores Herman owned. A homage to family, life in the rustbelt in the 1950’s and 60’s and the adventures, joys and hardships that left an enduring charming impression on James. On the authors wish the poems are printed on the recto side of the page spread only.

Cast in Garamond #3 on a Linotype model 31 along with hand set ATF Garamond types and printed on Hahnemühle Biblio in two colors on a Vandercook 219 OS the book includes two wood engravings by Chad Pastotnik. Quarter bound in Harmatan Oxblood goat with Asahi heavy textured grey linen cloth over boards with marbled end papers. Title foiled black on spine and on the cover in gold on a brown goat skiver. Designed, cast, printed and bound by Chad Pastotnik at his Deep Wood Press. Edition of 55 books, 5 press copies and 2 press proofs — 109 pages, $500.00.

My website is currently a hot mess during reconstruction thanks to a well meaning web designer trying to decode my ancient cobbled HTML. For purchase inquiries please contact me.

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This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see a recent interview go live at the Collectable Book Vault in their Minds of the Press series which turned out quite nice. Not many venture this far off the normal paths to the near tip of the beautiful peninsula of Michigan so it was great to welcome them into the studios and talk about the history of Deep Wood Press.

James’ Biography:

James Bernard Gross’s work has appeared in Small Press editions since 1976. His pieces published in 9 American states, Ireland, Great Britain, and Canada. His poems in Bill William’s & Flossie’s Special — a book published by Intrepid Press in 1980 by famed ‘Editor of The Beats’, Allen DeLoach, were singled out — by critic Diane Kruchkow in the review magazine Contact II article: “Against the American Grain: Bill William’s & Flossie’s Special”, who wrote:

“And Jim Gross’ lines, “The years filled out / like beer bellies” were worth working towards the back of the book for”.

He was nominated for the Coordinating Council of Literary Magazine’s Young Writer of the Year Award, by Intrepid Editor- Allen DeLoach, (an editor’s only nomination).  Copies are in Special Collections and Rare Books, Princeton University, Firestone Library, and Oxford Bodleian Library, Great Britain.

He had dialogue in early 1980’s with poet and publisher Cid Corman in Kyoto, Japan. Part of the correspondence is preserved in the Lilly Library, Cid Corman Archive, Corman MS III, Indiana University. He knew and corresponded with Mentor, Robert Creeley, who consistently encouraged publication of his work, which meant much.

He lives on his dune a mile from Lake Michigan. Has a Master of Science in Education from Purdue University. Reads Japanese, fumbles with Spanish to hear Lorca, Vallejo, and Guillén. Plays Martin steel-string and nylon string guitar, vintage 1905 piano, and sings. Admires the Troubadours of Provencal. Digs the Jazz of Thelonius Sphere Monk, Coltrane, Lester Young, Jerry Mulligan, and Bill Evans.

His Broadside: Watered Down, was published in Hard Pressed #6, by Ellen’s Old Alchemical Press on an 1887 Chandler & Price. It is housed in the Harris Broadside Collection, Brown University. Most recent publication in Gargoyle Magazine 61, 2015, Gargoyle 64, 2016, and Gargoyle 75, 2022. 

His Selected Poems: Fingerings for words was published by Chester Creek Press in 2016 and has placement in 20 of the Great Libraries Special Collections worldwide including: Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library Yale Collection of American Literature, The GETTY Research Institute, The British Library- Fine Print Books, the Bibliotheque Interuniversitaire de la Sorbonne in ‘Manuscrits Rares’, and Trinity College, Dublin, in Early Printed Books and Special Collections. Princeton University holds signed Copy #1 of this numbered, Limited Edition, in Special Collections for Graphic Arts, Firestone Library.

Jim’s special copy