ABOUT GENESIS

Brian Roylance founded Genesis Publications in 1974. His aim was to start a unique publishing company true to the arts of printing and craftsmanship and to establish a community shared by its authors and readers. Years later, in 1995, he found himself explaining the nature of hand-bound books in an interview with the New York Times and noted, "I suppose to some extent I am stuck in a time warp. I don't know of many people who go to this much trouble to produce a book anymore. But I think there is a future for it."

Today many other publishers have been inspired by the work of Brian Roylance but few, if any, have matched his eye for quality or the centuries-old traditions of hand book-binding that Genesis employ. As a result, over the 30 years since work began on our first book, Genesis has developed a worldwide reputation for producing exceptional signed limited editions.

BRIAN ROYLANCE

The body of work published by Genesis from 1974 to 2005 is a testament to Brian Roylance and his love of the arts and humanities. 'I Me Mine' is a key book that typifies his inspired and original approach to publishing and marked the beginning of life-long friendships with George Harrison and Derek Taylor.

Authors and artists, who give so freely of their time, were as important to Brian's thinking as Genesis' many distributors and readers. As a mark of thanks, in 2002 Brian personally edited 'A Time To Live', a wonderfully illustrated chronicle of the twentieth century, and dedicated the book to the life of George Harrison and to all Genesis' subscribers around the globe.

On the day of his passing in 2005, Brian personally oversaw the final print proofs for 'T.O.T.A '75'. This momentous and vibrant book was published posthumously, in partnership with The Rolling Stones. Naturally enough, like 'T.O.T.A', many books published since have been dedicated to the memory of Brian Roylance.

Links:

Brian Roylance Memoriam and Condolences page

NY Times interview with Brian Roylance

NY Times obituary

GENESIS TODAY

Today, Brian Roylance's son and daughter, Nicholas and Catherine, continue the work of Genesis Publications. Together they co-ordinate the production of each title and oversee close relationships with every author, artist and contributor.

Like her father, Catherine attended London College of Printing obtaining a Master of Arts in Typographic Design, and both Catherine and Nicholas share a history in book publishing that dates back to their childhood years. Under their guidance the company continues to produce books in a tailored, handcrafted manner and to explore new design techniques such as binding books in silk-screened aluminium, or housing them in molded plastic or wood. This innovative approach to design coupled with nearly 40 years' experience and uncompromising commitment to quality makes Genesis unlike any other modern publisher.

A Genesis book is meant to be treasured for a lifetime and is built to last even longer. This is why, we feel, a Genesis book is like no other. We offer heartfelt thanks for your interest in Genesis Publications and hope you enjoy the limited editions presented for you within our catalogue.

"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 that reduces other mere ordinary books to the level of pulp paperbacks." Record Collector Magazine