I nipped along to the wonderful Spineless Wonders* exhibition yesterday at the Senate Library (the central library for the University of London). It’s a fantastic (and free) little show that celebrates the library’s collection of pamphlets and other unbound / ephemeral publications. The sort of things that are stapled, sewn, folded or published as a broadside.

*That’s the perfect name for the exhibition.

(The piece above caught my eye as it features Caslon Rounded Open (for the name ‘Corn Exchange’), as revived relatively recently by Commercial Type.)

“These works have value for social history, political movements and cultural and creative expression. They present another view of history and have survived thanks to people who have recognised their importance. From political pamphlets and manifestos to popular prints and limited-edition artists’ works, the physical appearance and methods of production are as varied as the subject matter.”

I was particularly taken with Fishpaste, a ‘review of arts and letters’ by Leicester based artist / designer / teacher Rigby Graham, printer Toni Savage and writer Peter Hoy, hand-printed on postcards and published on a two year monthly schedule. The first series of cards ran from January 1967 to August 1968. Each postcard featured a poem on one side and an illustration on the reverse, and included issue numbers Four and a Half, Six A, and Umpteen.

You can pick up a full first edition set for £1,123 via Abebooks.

Rigby Graham’s archive is held at Manchester Metropolitan University, and includes the Fishpaste archive.

The Spineless Wonders exhibition runs until 15 November 2025, and there are curator-led tours on 18 July, 12 August, 17 September and 12 November.

(Thanks to Ian Visits for spotting the exhibition.)