Impey, Christopher (Rowe, Raphael)

The House on the Hill with: Through the Gates

ISBN: 9781910691434
London, England, UK: Tangerine Press, 2019; 2024. Limited First Editions. Hardcover; Sewn Binding. Both volumes signed by Christopher Impey & hardcover signed by Raphael Rowe. Christopher Impey is an award-winning journalist and radio producer, and he spent nearly a decade working inside Brixton prison as the managing editor of National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for prisoners. His research into the prison led to the documentary London’s Oldest Prison and this volume, The House on the Hill. Impey explores the many eras of Brixton from the early 19th century until today: a torturous work camp for vagrants, a women’s prison, a men’s prison, a military prison, and London’s main remand prison where almost every person facing trial would spend time while awaiting their day in court. The conditions and policies of the prison have been scrutinized and criticized for nearly its entire existence, but the average law-abiding citizen would never be aware of the brutality of the experience. Raphael Rowe is an investigative journalist and the presenter of Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons–a Netflix Original series. Rowe spent 12 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his conviction was overturned in 2000. Two of those years were spent in the D-Wing of Brixton Prison. The facility now serves as a resettlement and training prison helping those who soon will be re-entering society prepare for life after their release. Published in 2019 at the bicentennial of Brixton, The House on the Hill is now supplemented by the limited edition chapbook Through the Gates featuring Impey’s essay which “reflects on recent events within the prison system” (introduction). Included with the chapbook is a copy of a photograph of a man and woman cutting a wedding cake which was sent to publisher Michael Curran by a documentary producer, though the origin remains a mystery. Curran was told the couple in the photo were infamous criminals Howard Marks and Judy Lane marrying while Marks was serving time in Brixton, as explained in his introduction. Hardcover with no dust jacket (as issued): limited first edition, as indicated at colophon, “This first edition is published as a / trade paperback; there are also 126 numbered / & lettered copies signed by the author / & handbound in boards by the Tangerine Press, Tooting, London.” This is copy “R” as indicated in red ink thereon. Christopher Impey and Raphael Rowe both signed in black ink below limitation. Chapbook in sewn binding: limited first edition, as indicated at colophon. This is copy no. 14/20, as indicated in red ink thereon. Christopher Impey again signed in black ink below the limitation. Both volumes are as new. An extra handling fee of $1.00 will be added for shipping due to the size and weight of this item. As New. [Item #7067]

Price: $250.00