About

the synaesthesia press
publisher : printer : bookseller

1947 South Santa Fe Ave : LA, CA : 90021

Hello! I’m Jim Camp, owner/operator of the synaesthesia press. I’m a letterpress printer; I publish work by authors I find interesting; I make pictures; and, finally, I’m a bookseller. 

I co-founded synaesthesia with Steve Fisher in 1991. Steve actually named the press. We were on the phone at 4am or so (Steve’s normal hours to call his friends) and he told me we should start a press.

“We should call it the synaesthesia press! We can publish some of my stuff first” I immediately agreed, and after we hung up I ran to the dictionary to look up “synaesthesia”.

As a letterpress printer and a publisher, I make whatever it is I like and have time to manage.

As a photographer, I challenge myself to make interesting pictures.

As a bookseller, I generally specialize in good used books of a subversive nature. In other words, anything by or about Beatniks, Commies, Pinkos, and Reds. Most artists are subversive by nature and love all things smutty: I like art books and Artists’ Books; any smut and sleaze published before, say, 1970; outlaw poetry and prose; photozines and anything you’d be embarrassed to show your mom.  I’ve been collecting for 35 years (give or take), and most of what I’m going to start offering here I’ve held for at least a couple of decades. Some longer. A few since I began collecting. It’s time these titles found a new home. And the proceeds from the books that come out of my library goes towards the press: from studio rent (my Vandercook #219 is a beast!) to paying for materials and supplies, the book sales are the backbone to the press’s business.

You can stalk me on Twitter, if you’re so inclined. The press has a Facebook page, too. If you’re wondering if I’m legit, here’s the synaesthesia press eBay seller’s page with feedback.

Feel free to send me something…anything, cause getting mail is the highlight of my day — except when it’s unsolicited work you’re looking to get published.

Thanks!

PS: Here’s a video Eric Minh Swenson made after a studio visit:

 

2 thoughts on “About

  1. Hi Synaesthesia Press,
    I did receive the McClure/Berman book ordered from ebay. Thank you. As I suspected the delivery agents marked the book delivered when it was not but I just got it. It’s happened before. Best,
    Archie Rand

  2. Hey Archie! Right on!! Please call me Jim, and thanks a TON for your biz!!

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