An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Ambrose Bierce

Wood engraving by Jane Randfield

First published in 1890, Ambrose Bierce’s haunting masterpiece “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is widely regarded as one of the finest short stories in American literature.

Set during the Civil War, it tells the story of a man facing execution—his final moments unfolding with eerie clarity, unexpected beauty, and a devastating twist. Blurring the line between reality and illusion, Bierce crafts a psychological tale of time, memory, and mortality that continues to captivate readers more than a century later.

About The Edition

Our edition of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce is presented in a single state of four hundred unnumbered copies with no rights attached. The edition measures 6¼” × 9¼” and features a wood engraving by Jane Randfield. It is designed by Scott Vile and printed letterpress on his Heidelberg Cylinder in Buxton, Maine on mouldmade Hahnemühle Biblio. The wood engraving is printed from the original block and the typeface is Abrams Venetian. The volume is 16 pages and is hand-sewn with burgundy thread into a Hahnemühle Bugra wrapper with flaps by Nicoline Meyer in Hudson, New York and features a letterpress printed cover label. It is signed by the printer and wood engraver.

A Note on the Typography

Abrams Venetian, designed by George Abrams in 1989, is a modern take on the classic Venetian old-style type, drawing from the Renaissance letterforms of Nicolas Jenson. Its warm, calligraphic forms, low contrast, and humanist proportions create an organic, historical feel that suits “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” The typeface’s subtle irregularities and flowing serifs reflect the story’s shifting perceptions of time and reality, while its historical character reinforces the Civil War-era setting, grounding the narrative in an era where fate and illusion intertwine.

About the Author

Photo by Stephen Mexal

Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce (1842–c. 1914) was an American writer, journalist, and satirist best known for his darkly ironic short stories and his scathing wit. A veteran of the American Civil War, Bierce drew on his battlefield experiences to craft haunting and psychologically complex fiction, most notably in Tales of Soldiers and Civilians (1891), which includes his most famous story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” He also authored The Devil’s Dictionary, a celebrated work of cynical humor and wordplay. Bierce disappeared in Mexico around 1914 while traveling to observe the revolution, and his fate remains one of American literature’s enduring mysteries.

About the Collaborators

Jane Randfield

Jane Randfield is a freelance illustrator and printmaker with over 30 years of professional experience, working from her studio in Bath. A specialist in wood engraving and traditional printmaking techniques, she has taught printmaking at Bath College and is an elected member of the Society of Wood Engravers, exhibiting with the group since 2017. Her writing on printmaking has appeared in Multiples and Printmaking Today, and her work was featured in Pressing Matters (Issue 28). While deeply rooted in printmaking, Randfield also works across a variety of media to fulfill commercial briefs. Her clients include the BBC, Chatto & Windus, Marks & Spencer and Random House.

AVAILABLE TO ORDER ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025 AT 9AM PACIFIC

Pre-publication price: $65. The price will increase to $85 upon release.
Estimated release date: December 2025.

Please note: This edition is not included as part of Lifetime Subscriptions.

Society of Wood Engravers Exhibition

The engraving commissioned from Jane Randfield for this edition has been selected for inclusion in the next Society of Wood Engravers Annual Exhibition—a highly regarded juried show that celebrates the very best in contemporary wood engraving. Each year, the SWE receives hundreds of submissions from artists across the UK and beyond, with only a select few chosen for the touring exhibition. Founded in 1920, the Society is the world’s leading organization devoted to the art of wood engraving, and its annual exhibition is recognized as one of the most prestigious showcases of excellence in the medium.