By happenchance I seem to be developing an occasional series on 'interesting print-related books'.

In fact, I'm developing a mini-library of such specialist tomes, and very interesting it is too.

In keeping with the late Rowley Atterbury's fascinating memoir about Westerham Press, as mentioned last week, the other book I've been delving into recently is The Way of the Sun by Peter Greenhill and Brian Reynolds, which is the story of Watford's once-famous Sun Engraving and Sun Printers.

This too is a compelling read, a bit like an industrial thriller in parts, and with some wince-inducing passages. The final chapter is a damning indictment of the union practices of the time, and I quote: "Between the Sun and Odhams alone, more than 5,000 jobs were lost in Watford between 1970 and 1990, and a major source of employment was largely eradicated... the local unions appeared utterly determined to shoot themselves in the collective foot, and having done so, went on to express outrage when they found themselves faced with new and much less gentlemanly bosses."

5,000 jobs! In one town. But when I also read that an electricians' strike, coinciding with a dispute with the NGA, caused the company to lose five weeks' of production (five weeks!) resulting in the loss of its single biggest contract to a foreign competitor, perhaps that figure isn't so surprising.

The other book awaiting my attention is Brenda Dean's Hot Mettle which I imagine will contain a different take on union activities.

Returning to the Sun title, it also contains many fascinating images of the works over the years, and through it I've learned the famous, and rather beautiful, Sun Engraving Company mosaic sign has indeed been saved and restored. It's now mounted on one of the new buildings on the site.

The book was published in a limited edition of 600 copies, a couple of private sellers are offering it on Amazon, or email thesunshines[AT]bellnet.ca to reach the publisher directly.