Genesis Publications was founded in 1974 by Brian Roylance, a former student at the London College of Printing. His dream: to create a company true to the art of printing and craftsmanship. For this reason Genesis books are printed and hand-bound in Italy by top artisans.

In the last 35 years Genesis Publications has produced more than 50 limited edition collectors' items, featuring mainly pop and rock icons of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Subjects have included The Beatles, Ringo Starr, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bowie, Lennon, George Harrison, Dylan, Pink Floyd founder, Syd Barrett and drummer Nick Mason, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley.

Genesis Publications is now seen as the world's leading publisher of limited edition art books on the rock and pop icons of the last 40 years. As well as using top artisans to print and bind, Genesis also features the work of the best international photographers like Mick Rock, Dominique Tarlé (whose book on the Stones, Exile, sold out within seven months), Gered Mankowitz, Michael Putland and Astrid Kirchherr, David Steen, Colin Jones, Kate Simon and Christopher Simon Sykes. The artists themselves often contribute text to the books by commenting on the photos, many of which are being published for the first time.

Originality and exclusivity are key to Genesis books. Maximum Who brought together the three surviving members of The Who to write a joint book for the first time. Likewise, Moonage Daydream is David Bowie's first book as an author, while Olivia Harrison and Ringo Starr each had hugely successful volumes with Genesis.

The publisher continually explores new design techniques and printing concepts like binding books in silk-screened aluminium or housing them in specially made moulded perspex. In David Bowie's book, Moonage Daydream, a remarkable 14 paper stocks were used. In our Bob Marley title, Rebel Music some of the pages were printed on cannabis paper. Ringo Starr's Postcards From The Boys was housed in a metal postbox.

Genesis was chosen by The Beatles to create the highly successful and multi-award winning Beatles Anthology book, which was a departure from the usual policy of limited editions. Another variation in 2002 was the modern history of Liverpool Football Club, This Is Anfield, based on interviews with 50 players. This is described by club legend Ian St John as "the most comprehensive football book I have ever seen"; and by The Times as "Anfield's book of worship ... a fitting tribute".

Despite being rooted in traditional handcrafted books and artisan production values, Genesis is committed to using the latest technology to reach its readers all over the world. People who subscribe to the mailing list get brochures and newsletters as well as weekly updates on the website, which gets over 10,000 hits a day. The site features news stories, interviews and live footage of writers, stars and our photographers at work. This ensures a very close relationship with our customers.

Record Collector Magazine writes: "Genesis books are in a league of their own. They speak a visual language constructed on their own terms and they're finished to a quality, which reduces other mere ordinary books to the level of pulp paperbacks. Just as importantly, their texts open up the worlds of their subjects ... rewarding the reader with unprecedented access and insight."

The rarity of the limited edition books also gives them an investment value. Recently on e-bay copies of Psychedelic Renegades changed hands for £2450 (approx US$4,395). The original price was £495 ($840). In May 2009, a Deluxe copy of Concert for George sold for $6,600 (the original list price was £495) and in September 2009, a copy of Exile was auctioned for $4,000.

Most readers, however, prefer to treasure their Genesis edition and that is why every book is traditionally crafted by hand to last a lifetime.