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 life and works of W.B. Yeats is a recurring theme in a variety of works, including the Yeats Centenary Series. One highlight in the Press' history was the publication of The Tain in 1969. Thomas Kinsella's translation of the Irish epic poem took 15 years from concept to publication and represented a milestone in Irish publishing. By the 1980s the Press had created the Brogeen Books division for juvenile works, and many of the later publications were under this imprint.

Collection Overview

This series consists of oversize materials from other series, and is largely comprised of art originals and reproductions, with some photographs included. A considerable collection of Cuala Press broadside proofs is also included. The documents range in date from 1950 to 1980. Major artists featured in the series include Tate Adams, Leonard Baskin, Juanita Casey, Jack Coughlin, Louis LeBrocquy, Elizabeth Rivers, and S. W. Hayter.

Collection Inventory

• Artifacts and other materials (circa 1950-1980)
  • Theatrical masks box 143
  • Paste-up, unidentified text box 144
  • Photographs (Yeats, W. B. (William Butler), 1865-1939, Synge, J. M. (John Millington), 1871-1909, Scrapbook, Oversize ledger book box 145
  • Abbey Theatre logo, Cuala Press proofs, Individual artists (Rivers, Elizabeth, Pye, Patrick and Le Brocquy, Louis, 1916-), Art by subject (people, buildings) box 146
  • Assorted dust jackets (undated) box 147
  • Dolmen Press signs box 147
  • Dolmen press devices, Japanese stencil calendars, Periodical (Arena, 1963-1965), Samples - Typefaces/Typography, Blank guide sheets, Author portraits (O'Brien, Flann, 1911-1966 and Montague, John), Synge, J. M. (John Millington), 1871-1909.  Some Sonnets from "Laura in Death" (art), Raine, Kathleen, 1908-.  Yeats the Initiate (dust jacket mock-up), Ó Tuama, Seán and Kinsella, Thomas.  An Duanaire, 1600-1900 (advertising poster), Devine, Pauline.  King Longbeard (mock-ups, illustrations), Joyce, James, 1882-1941.  Dubliners (paste-up, proofs),  Primitive Papermaking(proofs), Unidentified text (photostat). box 148
  • Oversize ledger book box 149
  • Prospectuses, Newspapers (Irish Press, 1970), Dolmen Press printing samples, Theater ( Croon of the Mountain Women,  Countess Cathleen, Lantern Theatre poster) box 150
  • Artists (Coughlin, Jack; Adams, Tate, 1922-; Miller, Liam), Art by subject (nature, maps), Kinsella, Thomas.  Tain(art, dust jackets, poster) box 151
  • Guides sheets, Unidentified art, Artists (Henry Evans; Adams, Tate, 1922-; Le Brocquy, Louis; Baskin, Leonard; Casey, Juanita; Rivers, Elizabeth), Untitled off set print, Samples (typefaces/typography), Gehenna Press prospectuses, Delanty, Greg.  Cast in the Fire (art), Murphy, William Michael, 1916-.  Yeats Family and the Pollifexens of Sligo (genealogy chart), Simms, George Otto, 1910-.  Book of Kells (proofs), Synge, J. M. (John Millington), 1871-1909.  Riders to the Sea (illustrations, dust jackets), Holzapfel, Rudolf.  For Love of Ireland (proofs), Ussher, Arland.  The XXII Keys of the Tarot (advertising poster), Clarke, Austin, 1896-1974.  Frenzy of Sweeney (galleys), Malton, James, d. 1803.  Dublin Views (maps), Clarke, Austin, 1896-1974.  Mnemosyne Lay in Dust (art), Guardini, Romano.  Way of the Cross (proofs), Dust jackets ( Celtic Consciousness,  Dolmen XXV,  Letters of Saint Oliver Plunkett,  Irish Crochet Lace,  Immediate Man,  Brazen Horn,  Holinshed's Irish Chronicle,  Boyne Valley Vision,  Gododdin,  Enter Certain Players,  Festschrift for Francis Stuart). box 152
  • Rubbing of inscription from tomb of Richard de Clare Pembroke, 1135?-1176 (Strongbow) box 153
  • Hayter, S. W. "Vague de Fond" , Theatre set design and stage schematics, Golden, Norah.  Comical Celtic Cat (artwork) box 154
  • Abbey Theatre materials box 174
  • Coat of Arms materials box 190 folder 1
  • Leabhar NA NVR-NAIGHTHEADH materials box 190 folder 2
  • Tate Adams list of prints and illustrations box 190 folder 5
  • Unidentified plant and flower drawings on lined paper with wrapper that says double spread, Mellick work (undated) oversize 1
• Printings and photographs
  • Paste up for "Piper's Choice" by Leo Rowsome box 190 folder 3
  • Photographs box 190 folder 4
    • Photograph of Belgian King and Queen (1960s)
    • Photograph from Magic Glasses by George Fitzmaurice
    • Unidentified photograph
  • Views of Dublin Buildings postcards box 190 folder 6

Summary Information

Repository

Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives

Creator

Miller, Liam

Creator

Dolmen Press

Title

Dolmen Press Collection, Oversize Materials

ID

MS1006

Date [inclusive]

1950-1980

Quantity

1 record carton, 15 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder

Extent

25.8  Linear Feet

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, 2004

Revision Description

Revised by Stephanie Bennett and Finley Turner, Stephanie Bennett, 2019 September, 2023

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

Dolmen Press Collection, Oversize Materials (MS1006), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 

Controlled Access Headings

Subject(s)

• Authors and publishers -- Ireland -- 20th century
• Publishers and publishing -- Ireland -- 20th century
• Private press books -- Ireland -- 20th century

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