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Dolmen Press Collection, Design and Printing Series

Finding Aid & Inventory

The Dolmen Press was founded by Liam and Josephine Miller in 1951. The Press operated in Dublin from 1951 until Liam Miller's death in 1987. The printing division was opened in the late 1950s as an additional revenue source, and was eventually shut down in 1979. This series consists of correspondence, typescripts, proofs, art, galleys, reviews, paste-ups, dust jackets, samples and other information relating to the printing division of the Dolmen Press and the free-lance design work of Liam Miller. The documents range in date from 1955 to 1987, with the bulk of the documents dating from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s. All materials in this series dated after the 1979 closing of the printing division are solely the design work of Liam Miller.

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Biographical and Historical Note

The Dolmen Press was founded by Liam and Josephine Miller in 1951. The Press operated in Dublin from 1951 until Liam Miller's death in 1987. Founded to provide a publishing outlet for Irish poetry, the Press also heavily featured the work of Irish artists. The scope of the press grew to include prose literature by Irish authors as well as a broad range of critical works about Irish literature and theater. The printing division was opened in the late 1950s as an additional revenue source, and was eventually shut down in 1979. The division took printing jobs from publishers as well as theaters, art galleries, businesses and individuals. In addition to publishing, Liam Miller was also a book designer. Liam Miller's major design projects stemmed from the post-Vatican II changes to the Catholic Church missals, mass books, etc. Occasionally, jobs for the printing division were also works that Liam designed.

Collection Overview

This series consists of correspondence, typescripts, proofs, art, galleys, reviews, paste-ups, dust jackets, samples and other information relating to the printing division of the Dolmen Press and the free-lance design work of Liam Miller. The documents range in date from 1955 to 1987, with the bulk of the documents dating from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s. All materials in this series dated after the 1979 closing of the printing division are solely the design work of Liam Miller. Major publishers and businesses featured in this series include Abbey Theatre, Columba Press, Brian Coyle, Dawson Gallery, T.P. Donnelly, Douglas Hyde Gallery, W.A. Dwiggins, Thomas Flanagan, Four Masters Press, Seamus Heaney, Irish Georgian Society, Irish Times Ltd., Kingdom Books, Lilliput Press, Liturgical Books, Wolf Mankowitz, Merrill Moore, National Gallery of Ireland, Brendan O'Reilly, Pilgrim Press, Anthony Porter, Talbot Press, Thoor Ballylee, Veritas Press, Ward River Press, William Morris Society, Wolfhound Press, and The Yeats Association.

Collection Inventory

  • Abbey Theatre (1968-1971)
    • Program box 78 folder 3
  • Airlie Stud (1977)
    • Various box 78 folder 4
  • Alex Tarbet Limited (1977-1978)
    • Various catalogs and prospectuses box 78 folder 5
  • Arlen House Publishers (1980-1981)
    • Boland, Eavan -  In Her Own Image box 78 folder 6
  • Assisi Press (1957)
    • McClean, Lucius - Father Luke Wadding, Irishman and Franciscan box 78 folder 7
  • Atlantis Magazine  (1971-1973)
    • Printing notes, galleys box 78 folder 8
    • Proofs folder 9
    • Proofs, publications folder 10
  • Book House Ireland (1983)
    • Stationery box 78 folder 11
  • Brown Thomas Gallery (1970)
    • Various box 78 folder 12
  • Building Centre Dublin (1962)
    • Forgnan box 78 folder 13
  • Cadenus Press (1978)
    • Mahony, Robert - Different Styles of Poetry box 78 folder 14
  • Celtic Art, Toronto (1986)
    • O'Driscoll, Robert and Reynolds, Lorna - Untold Story, the Irish in Canada box 78 folder 15
  • Claddagh Records (1966-1976)
    • Various box 78 folder 16
  • Clo Cors Fharrarge (1979)
    • An Aifreann box 78 folder 17
  • Columba Press (1984-1985)
    • Corrrespondence, stationery box 78 folder 18
    • Swords, Liam - And We Shall Be Changed folder 19
    • Flannery, Austin - Freedom to Hope? folder 20
    • Irish Church Today folder 21
    • McArdle, Jack - It's Really Very Simple folder 22
    • Large print prayer books folder 23
    • Earley, Ciaran - Alive, Alive Oh! folder 24
    • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults folder 25
    • State of Affairs folder 26
    • Macreamoinn, Sean - When Does the Celebrating Start? folder 27
  • Con Levanthal Scholarship Committee (1984)
    • O'Brien, Eoin - A.J. Levanthal, 1896-1979 box 78 folder 28
  • Costello Publishing Company (undated)
    • Liturgical Calendar box 78 folder 29
  • Coyle, Brian (1982)
    • Artists for Amnesty
      • Correspondence, typescript, mock-up, printing notes box 78 folder 30
      • Dummy, proofs box 78 folder 31
  • Crown Publishers (undated)
    • Ireland's Living Voices box 78 folder 32
  • Cumann Luth Gael Chleas (1984)
    • Brochure box 78 folder 33
  • Dave, Gerald (1985)
    • Krino box 78 folder 34
  • David Feldman Ltd. (1968)
    • Price List of Items in "The Handbook of Philately" box 78 folder 35
  • David Hendriks Gallery (1972-1977)
    • Various box 79 folder 1
  • Dawson Gallery (1973-1978)
    • Various folder 2
  • Donnelly, T. P. (1978)
    • Addstraw and Castlederg History folder 3
  • Douglas Hyde Gallery (1985-1986)
    • Lambert, Gene - Work From a Dark Room
      • Correspondence, mock-up, printing notes folder 4
      • Art, proofs folder 5
  • Dromoland Castle (1979-1985)
    • Booklet folder 6
  • Dublin Dicesan Pilgrimage (1980)
    • Lourdes: Pilgrim's Handbook folder 7
  • Dublin Gate Theatre (1978)
    • Stationery folder 8
  • Dublin Society for Renaissance Music (1953)
    • Program folder 9
  • Dublin Theatre Group (1952)
    • Program folder 10
  • Dublin Tourism (undated)
    • Certificate folder 11
  • Dun Laoghaire Technical Institute (1961-1962)
    • Various folder 12
  • Dwiggins, W. A. (1978)
    • Stationery folder 13
  • E. J. Dwyer (1977)
    • Catalogue folder 14
  • English Language Institute (1978)
    • Certificates folder 15
  • Five Lamps Press (1975-1979)
    • Marquis de Goulaine: a Family, a River, a Region, and its Wines folder 16
  • Flanagan, Thomas, 1923- (undated)
    • Year of the French folder 17
  • Four Courts Press (1978-1979)
    • Escrivá de Balaguer, José María, Saint, 1902-1975 -  Holy Rosary folder 18
  • Four Masters (1975)
    • Molloy, John - Alive, Alive Oh! folder 19
    • Behan, Brendan Borstal Boy
    • O'Brien, Nora Connolly - James Connolly : Portait of a Rebel Father
  • Gael-Linn (1979)
    • Aifreann ui Riada 2 folder 22
    • O'Driscoll, Treasa - Farewell But Whenever folder 23
    • Harp Festival Brochures folder 24
  • Gresham Hotel (Dublin, Ireland) (1970)
    • Crest folder 25
  • Heaney, Seamus (1974-1975)
    • Ugolino folder 26
  • Heaton Family (1960)
    • Invitation folder 27
  • I. B. Jorgensen (1974-1979)
    • Various folder 28
  • Institute of Public Administration (Ireland) (1980-1986)
    • Roche, Desmond - Local Government in Ireland folder 29
    • Maher, D.J. - Tortuous Path folder 30
  • International Freedom Institute (1977-1985)
    • Broadside folder 31
  • Irish Association (1972)
    • Stationery folder 32
  • Irish Central Library for Students (1978)
    • Labels folder 33
  • Irish Chess Club (1964)
    • Irish Chess Club Centenary Book folder 34
  • Irish Folklore Council (1974-1980)
    • Bealoideas folder 35
  • Irish Georgian Society (1958-1964)
    • Various folder 36
    • Journal folder 37
  • Irish P.E.N. (1971-1973)
    • Correspondence, conference materials box 80 folder 1
    • Conference Proceedings proofs folder 2
  • Irish Times, Ltd. (Dublin, Ireland) (1984-1985)
    • Book of the Twentieth Century
      • Correspondence, dust jacket, printing notes folder 3
      • Mock-up, publication folder 4
    • Modern Irish Stories from the Irish Times folder 5
  • Kingdom Books (1985-1986)
    • Crucified folder 6
    • Gaughan, J. Anthony - Knights of Glin folder 7
    • Political Odyssey folder 8
    • Thomas Johnson folder 9
  • Lamb, Katharine, 1970-
    • Marianella folder 10
  • Let's Celebrate!  (undated)
    • Proofs, music folder 11
  • Lilliput Press (1986)
    • Logo folder 12
  • Liturgical Books (1974-1983)
    • Correspondence, unidentified proof folder 13
    • Book for the Chair folder 14
    • Holy Week Booklet folder 15
    • Lectionary (Veritas Missal)
      • Correspondence, Printing notes folder 16
      • Galleys folder 17
      • Proofs box 80 folder 18-20
    • Missal symbols folder 21
    • Rite of Annointing and Pastoral Care of the Sick folder 22
    • Roman Missal
      • Correspondence, 1972-June, 1974 folder 23
      • Correspondence (1974 August-September) box 81 folder 1
      • Correspondence (1974-1976 October ) box 81 folder 2
      • Printing notes folder 3
      • Art, mock-ups folder 4
      • Mock-ups folder 5
      • Proofs box 81 folder 6-11
      • Proofs box 82 folder 1-9
    • Roman Missal: U.S. Sacramentary folder 9
    • Season of Christmas folder 10
    • Veritas Mass Books folder 11
    • Veritas Missal
      • Correspondence, printing notes box 82 folder 12
      • Mock-ups box 83 folder 1
      • Music proofs box 83 folder 2
      • Proofs box 83 folder 3-5
  • Liturgy Centre (1974-1975)
    • Various folder 6
  • Magee, Brian (1985)
    • Readings for Your Wedding folder 7
  • Makem, Tommy (1970)
    • Record Sleeve folder 8
  • Mankowitz, Wolf (1971-1979)
    • Ahakista Fables folder 9
    • Samson Riddle folder 10
  • McGarry, Jim (1979)
    • Postcards folder 11
  • McMahon, Frank (1971-1975)
    • Brendan Behan's Borstal Boy folder 12
  • Minch, Norton and Company (1978)
    • Stationery folder 13
  • Moore, Merrill (1903-1957)
    • Ego folder 14
  • Moreau, Tony (1986)
    • Mass Cards folder 15
  • Mountrath River Bank Committee (1974)
    • Riverside Variety Show Program folder 16
  • National Gallery of Ireland (1968-1976)
    • Various folder 17
    • Irish Watercolours, 1675-1925 folder 18
  • National Industrial Economic Council (1968-1976)
    • Stationery folder 19
  • Nationalist (1983-1984)
    • Designs folder 20
  • O'Donnell, Roger J. (1960)
    • Catalogue folder 21
  • O'Reilly, Brendan (1951)
    • Stationery folder 22
  • Outlook Magazine (1980-1981)
    • Logo folder 23
  • Patterson, James E. W. (1957-1962)
    • Echoes from Ireland folder 24
    • Nil Desperandum folder 25
  • Paulist American Ordo (1976-1978)
    • Order of Prayer folder 26
  • Penguin Books Ltd. (1971-1973)
    • Book designs box 84 folder 1
  • Philatelic Section, Department of Posts (1976-1983)
    • Postage Stamps of Ireland, 1922-1982
      • Correspondence, printing notes folder 2
      • Printing notes folder 3
      • Mock-ups, proofs folder 4
      • Paste-up, proofs folder 5
  • Pilgrim Press, 1985-
    • Seeing is Believing folder 6
  • Porter, Anthony (1986)
    • Manuscript Treasures folder 7
  • Rainbow Publications (1984-1986)
    • O'Connor, Laurence,  Lost Ireland
      • Correspondence, art, mock-up, printing notes folder 8
      • Proofs folder 9
    • Nineteen Fourteen folder 10
  • Rights of Man Foundation (1980)
    • Stationery folder 11
  • Ritchie Hendriks Gallery (1960)
    • Various folder 12
  • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (1967-1968)
    • Various folder 13
  • Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (1962-1970)
    • Exhibition Catalogs folder 14
  • Ryan, John and Stafford, John (1984)
    • Seven folder 15
  • Sáirséal-Ó-Marcaigh (1985)
    • Ó Cadhain, Máirtín, Cré na cille folder 16
  • Setanta Gallery, Dublin (1974-1978)
    • Various folder 17
  • Smith, S. (undated)
    • Irish Blessing folder 18
  • St. Fintan's Mountrath (1985)
    • Crest folder 19
  • St. Vincent de Paul Shop (undated)
    • Various folder 20
  • Storm Publishers (1955-1958)
    • Gode, Alexander, 1906-1970, Dece Contos folder 21
    • Homo Sonetticus Moorensis
      • Correspondence, typescripts folder 22
      • Proofs folder 23
  • Taibhdhearc na gaillimhe (1978)
    • Various folder 24
  • Talbot Press (1974-1977)
    • Altar Book for the Holy Year folder 25
    • Divine Office
      • Correspondence box 85 folder 1
      • Printing notes, proofs folder 2
      • Proofs folder 3
    • Jesus Christ, Our Lord folder 4
    • Mass for the Holy Year folder 5
    • Prayer Book for the Holy Year
      • Correspondence, printing notes folder 6
      • Guide sheets, paste-up folder 7
      • Proofs folder 8
      • Proofs folder 9
      • Proofs folder 10
    • Rome Guide folder 11
    • Veritas Missal folder 12
    • Veritas Missal: Supplement for Ireland folder 13
    • Word in Season folder 14
  • Theatre Ireland (1982)
    • Order Sheet folder 15
  • Thoor Ballylee (1975-1976)
    • Post cards folder 16
  • Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland) (undated)
    • Bookplates folder 17
  • Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland), College Singers (1954)
    • Program folder 18
  • Veritas Publications (1975-1986)
    • General correspondence box 86 folder 1
    • Amen Alleleuia folder 2
    • An Cointeartu folder 3
    • Pye, Patrick Apples and Angels folder 4
    • Lennon, James Book of Family Prayer folder 5
    • Philbin, William J. Bright Invisible folder 6
    • Neary, Donal Calm Beneath the Storm folder 7
    • Celebration of Marriage folder 8
    • Christian Journey folder 9
    • Directory of Adult Religious Education folder 10
    • Eucharistic Prayer folder 11
    • Evangelium folder 12
    • Family Resources folder 13
    • Getting Your Bible Group Off the Ground folder 14
    • Good News About Death folder 15
    • Irish Catholic Directory folder 16
    • Iseaia folder 17
    • Jesus is Lord folder 18
    • Journey of Faith folder 19
    • Letters to a Young Priest folder 20
    • Liturgical Calendar for Ireland folder 21
    • Liturgy of Holy Week folder 22
    • Love and Life folder 23
    • Marriage Booklet folder 24
    • Rooney, Lucy; Faricy, Robert L., 1926- Mary, Queen of Peace folder 25
    • Bodley, Seóirse Mass of Glory folder 26
    • Masses with Children folder 27
    • Mount Oliver Review reel 28
    • New Testament Message folder 29
    • Newman and Gladstone folder 30
    • Novenas folder 31
    • Padre Pio folder 32
    • Various Papal visit (1978) publications
      • Correspondence, art, printing notes, clippings folder 33
      • Mock-up, guide sheets folder 34
      • Proofs folder 35
    • Parish Newsletter folder 36
    • Pastoral Care of the Sick folder 37
    • Prayer Book for the People of God folder 38
    • Raw Bar folder 39
    • Reality of Jesus folder 40
    • Rediscovering the Rosary folder 41
    • Regional Marriage Tribunal booklets and forms folder 42
    • Rite of Confirmation box 87 folder 1
    • Rite of Marriage folder 2
    • Rite of Penance folder 3
    • Sacraments, a Pastoral Directory folder 4
    • Saint Therese folder 5
    • Saint Lorcan O Tuathail folder 6
    • Veritas Hymnal folder 7
    • Veritas Parish Mass Book folder 8
    • Veritas Publications 1981 folder 9
    • Way folder 10
    • Wedding of Your Own folder 11
  • Wallis' Bakery (1982-1983)
    • Various folder 11
  • Ward River Press (1982-1985)
    • General correspondence folder 13
    • Hickey, Kieran, 1936- and Hickey, Des, Faithful Departed folder 14
    • O'Sullivan, T.F., Goodly Barrow folder 15
    • Irish House folder 16
    • Louis Le Brocquy folder 17
    • Portrait of Irish Medicine folder 18
    • Reconstructions folder 19
    • Robert Ballagh folder 20
    • Samuel Beckett folder 21
  • Wexford Festival (1956)
    • Program folder 22
  • William Morris Society (1960)
    • Handlist of the Public Addresses of Wm. Morris folder 23
  • Wolfhound Press (1985)
    • McCrum, Seán and Lambert, Gordon, Living With Art: David Hendriks folder 24
    • White, James, 1913- and Bewick, Pauline, Pauline Bewick: a Painting Life folder 25
  • Workshop Press
    • Mankowitz, Wolf, XII Poems
      • Correspondence, printing notes folder 26
      • Proofs folder 27
  • Yeats Association
    • Stationery folder 28
  • Samples (1956-1978)
    • Sample book folder 29
    • Sample book box 88 folder 1-3
    • Bookplates folder 4
    • Christmas cards folder 5
    • Commercial advertisement and signs folder 6
    • Exhibition catalogs folder 7
    • Invitations folder 8
    • Programs folder 9
    • Stationery folder 10
    • Tickets folder 11
    • Wedding invitations and programs folder 12
    • Miscellaneous box 88 folder 13-14
  • Unidentified Religious Texts (1975-1979)
    • Proofs box 88 folder 15-16
  • Miscellaneous (1954-1984)
    • Proofs, samples, notes folder 17

Summary Information

Repository
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
Title
Dolmen Press Collection, Design and Printing Series
ID
MS1002
Date [inclusive]
1945-1987
Extent
14.3 Linear Feet  11 record cartons

Administrative Information

Publication Information
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
Revision Description
 Revised by Stephanie Bennett and Finley Turner 2019 September
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for use. 
Copyright Notice
Copyright for materials resides with the creators of the items in question or their descendants, unless otherwise designated. Users of this collection are responsible for using the materials in conformance with U.S. copyright law. 
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], MS 1002, Dolmen Press Collection, Design and Printing Series, Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 

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