"The Vandercook Book" exhibtion opening September 14

The Vandercook Book: Centenary Celebration Exhibition   |   SEPTEMBER 14 - OCTOBER 12   |   2009    Exhibition opening & new members night with a champagne reception  5 - 8 pm  |   MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14   |   2009

You are cordially invited to join your fellow Book Club members    to celebrate the centennial of the book artists' favorite proof press . . . THE VANDERCOOK The Book Club of California is pleased to present thirty-two folios from     The Vandercook Book        a limited edition highlighting the work of master printers on the Vandercook

Conceived and published by Barbara Henry and Roni Gross, these folios from master printers reflect their own personal vision and long experience with the press. Also on display are works printed on the Vandercook that are taken from the Book Club's own superb collection of contemporary letterpress printers.

AFTER ONE HUNDRED YEARS the Vandercook proof press has fully matured as a printmaking medium. Originally designed for commercial use, it has become a vehicle for artistic exploration. From creating abstract images to hand-setting essays, from using polymer plates to print on shaped, hand-made paper to printing on a specimen sheet of antique type in mortised brass circles, contributors use an impressive variety of approaches. Each printer has included explanatory notes on the techniques employed. Although it is no longer being made, the press has shown itself to be a flexible enough tool to absorb new technology and move into the next century. We hope that students and practitioners will be inspired by this collection to continue to experiment with the "Vandy".

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Contributors Delphi Basilicato Mare Blocker, MKimberly Press Dean Bornstein, The Perpetua Press Martha Chiplis; Johanna Drucker Karla Elling, Mummy Mountain Press Elsi Vassdal Ellis, Eve Press Jules Remedios Faye, Stern & Faye Printers Roni Gross  |  Barbara Henry, Harsimus Press Tracy Honn  |  Peter Koch  |  Peter Kruty Sara Langworthy  |  Ruth Lingen  |  Nancy Loeber Daniel Mayer, The Nomadic Press Paul Moxon, Fameorshame Press Matt Neff & Christopher van Auken, The Common Press Bonnie O'Connell, The Penumbra Press Mary Phelan; Harry Reese, Turkey Press John Risseeuw, Cabbagehead Press Abigail Rorer, The Lone Oak Press Katherine McCanless Ruffin, Shinola Press Rugula Russell & C.B. Sherlock, Accordion Press Collaborations Sara T. Sauers, Catstep Press Gaylord Schanilec Champe Smith, Imitation Pearl Press Barbara Tetenbaum, Triangular Press

Organizations joining together to celebrate the Vandercook Centenary The Book Club of California The San Francisco Center for the Book American Printing History Association Pacific Center for Book Arts Great thanks! the festivities will be made more tactile by the generosity of Mohawk Fine Papers and Logos Graphics/PCBA                                                                                             . . . . . These programs are free and open to the public.

The Vandercook Potluckand

5 - 8 pm  |  WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 San Francisco Center for the Book   300 De Haro | San Francisco 94103   www.sfcb.org    The American Printing History Association, NorCal chapter, hosts an evening on the Vandercook, focusing on the special role the proof press has played in the book arts of the greater Bay Area in both traditional and experimental printing, especially during the conversion from hot metal to photo and then to digital composition over the last 40 years.      Since the 1960s, notable Bay Area Vandercookers such as Jack Stauffacher (The Greenwood Press), Frances Butler & Alastair Johnston (The Poltroon Press), Betsy Davids (Rebis Press), and Johanna Drucker - all "innovated". Many others have printed on the Vandercook for various purposes in many different styles. Tonight, you all are invited to show works printed on any Vandercook. All are welcome to join us for an evening of printing & conversation.

Next Week

The Book Club of California 312 sutter | fifth floor  |  san francisco  94108  |  800.869.7656  |  fax 800.781.7537 club room hours: mondays, 10 am to 7 pm   |   tuesday-friday, 10 am to 5 pm www.bccbooks.org     . . .     Founded in 1912, the BCC is a non-profit organization of book lovers & collectors  who enjoy fine printing and the history & literature of California.    Public programs are free & open to all.   Directions to the Club: click here. To receive email invitations, please subscribe to our email newsletter at www.bccbooks.org  Other questions? Please call (800) 869-7656 or email us by clicking here.

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