Violet De Mars Trovillion (1890–1979) and Hal W. Trovillion (1879–1967) were publishers based in Herrin, Illinois who operated local newspapers and a private press known as Trovillion Private Press at the Sign of the Silver Horse or simply Trovillion Press.
In 1904, after Hal left Indiana University, he moved to Herrin and took over two local newspapers, The Herrin Daily Journal and the Egyptian Republican (previously named The Herrin News).
In 1908, influenced by Thomas Bird Mosher, he started private press publication. Mosher's work was notable for small size, attractive design, high-quality paperand affordable prices, and Trovillion emulated these practices. Works were typically published in editions of a few hundred copies, on fine handmade European papers, with titles printed in gilt or on paper title cards. Usually every copy was numbered, and hand-signed by both of the Trovillions.
The books were almost all short, under 100 pages and often under 50 pages.Some of the pieces published were by lesser-known works by well-known authors, and sometimes were short pieces typically published as part of larger work. Some of the books were reprints of historical works, generally from the 17th century. A number of books concerning gardening were published, including a reprint of a gardening book from 1617. Some of the works published were by the Trovillions, and some concerned running private presses. The University of Missouri Library System reports that fifty books were published from 1908 through 1958 https://web.archive.org/web/20070612233957/http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/privatepresst.htm, and also reports that operations ceased in 1958, though at least one work bears a copyright date of 1960. They also note that the Trovillions sometimes used "Thatchcot", the name of their home, as an imprint.
Publications include:
The Trovillians had extensive literary connections in the US and Europe, corresponding regularly with authors and publishers. Their friends and correspondents included:
Some of the Trovillian's correspondence with John Powys has been published in "Powys to the Trovillions: The Letters of John Cowper Powys to Hal and Violet Trovillion", edited by Paul Roberts, 122pp, .
The Trovillion press archives are at the Morris Library, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
In the early 1930s, the Trovillions purchased an elaborate hand-hammered copper armillary-style sundial in Stockholm, Sweden and installed it in their back yard in Herrin. In July 2005, the sundial was stolen from the yard (both owned by John Fisher). Fisher offered a $1000 reward for its return.https://web.archive.org/web/20071215045302/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/Historic_sundial_stolen_from_Illnois_home/20050811-121147-5485r/The theft was decidedly odd due to the significant weight of the sundial and the difficulty of removing it from its concrete base.
The house, named Thatchcot, in which the Trovillion Press was located, suffered a fire December 7, 2001. Many of the original printings from the press were destroyed. The owner, John Fisher, has still not reached a settlement to restore the historic home.