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Categories:
[Book History] [Book Arts] [Printing and Publishing History] [Printing Museums] [Allied Organizations] [Type, Typography and Calligraphy] [Papermaking] [Prints and Printmaking] [Allied Fields and Professions] [Centers for the Book] [Listservs]

Book History

See also Printing and Publishing History

Resources for the History of Books and Printing (Maintained by Daniel Traister.)

History of Books and Printing: A Research Guide. An excellent bibliography of printed books. (Maintained by the New York Public Library.)

Book History Online (BHO), an international bibliographical database of the history of the printed book and libraries. (Sponsored by the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, the National Library of the Netherlands.)

Bibliopolis: A History of the Printed Book in the Netherlands (in Dutch), with English Translation. Important site with a "handbook" summary and scholarly essays on particular topics in Dutch book history. (Sponsored by the Koninklijke Bibliotheek and the National Library of the Netherlands.)

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Printing and Publishing History

Bibliographies of printing history:

• A Short Bibliography of Typography and Allied Subjects. Excellent annotated bibliography on type, typography, printing history, practical printing, book arts and dealers, especially geared towards practitioners. Also has an excellent comprehensive Introduction to Letterpress Printing. (Maintained by David S. Rose of Five Roses Press.)

• History of Books and Printing: A Research Guide. An excellent bibliography of printed books with emphasis on library holdings. Prepared in 1994 and slightly dated, but still solid. (Maintained by the New York Public Library.)

• Resources for the History of Books and Printing has a fairly good and growing (but hard to sort) list of links, as well as books and course readings, especially geared to college students and librarians. (Maintained by Daniel Traister.)

• Rare Book School Reading Lists are course readings for RBS courses and are usually annotated, if much shorter than the above resources. (Maintained by Terry Belanger / Rare Book School.)

Other general resources on printing, printing history and letterpress printing:

• Briar Press. Resources for letterpress printers and enthusiasts, including a directory of people and organizations, classified advertisements, a printing museum, and downloadable ornaments.

• Society for the History of Authorship, Reading & Publishing (SHARP) A nearly comprehensive list of links.

• Hand Press. Useful links or iron presses, exhibitions and publications. (Maintained by the hand-press printer Richard-Gabriel Rummonds.)

• Resources for Letterpress Printers, presented by the American Amateur Press Association, includes organizations, sources, classifieds, and links to the LETPRESS listserv and FAQ.

• Introduction to Letterpress Printing in the 21st Century. (Maintained by David S. Rose of Five Roses Press.)

• Vandercook Press Info (Maintained by Paul Moxon of Fameorshame Press.)

• Dutch Association of Private Presses /Amateur printers (mostly in Dutch). Site containing information, database of printers and their equipment and type. (Maintained by Jan Molendijk)

Selected libraries (other than printing museums) with important resources on printing, printing history and letterpress printing. Emphasis tends to be on English language resources.

• Columbia University, Rare Books and Special Collections. Includes the American Typefounders Company library and museum, Arthur Rackham and Rockwell Kent, archives of Vincent FitzGerald & Company, Harper & Brothers, Harper & Row, Random House, W. W. Norton, Kulchur Press, and Vanguard Press, and archives of many literary agents. (New York)

• Harvard's Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, at Harvard University's Houghton Library (includes the Hofer Collection) (Cambridge, MA)

• Melbert B. Cary, Jr. Graphic Arts Collection, at the Rochester Institute of Technology. (The Cary Collection also has a list of useful links.) (Rochester, NY)

• Princeton's Graphic Arts Collection, at Princeton University's Firestone Library includes materials donated by Elmer Adler (Pynson Printers, and former curator), reference collections on calligraphy, illustration, printing and binding, and examples of book arts from all countries. (Princeton, NJ)

• Amsterdam University Library (Netherlands). "Has the largest and most important special collections department in the Netherlands... [and] one of the largest collections on book history (from printing to publishing) in the world."(In Dutch)

• The St. Bride Printing Library (London, UK). (Site of its Friends group)

Letterpress Alive in UK. Collects information about letterpress activities in the United Kingdom, including suppliers, hobbyists, professionals, museums and preservation activities. Maintained by the Alembic Press.

Incunabula: Dawn of Western Printing an online exhibition of leaves and typefaces from European printers. Based on the book Inkyunabura no Sekai (The World of Incunabula) / written by Hiroharu Orita (Tokyo: Japan Library Association, 2000). Maintained by the National Diet Library, Japan. English and Japanese.

Linotype.org, "devoted to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the maintenance and operation of Linotype machines," maintained by William Spurling (Yamhill, Oregon). Interesting links, oriented to hobbyist.

Linotype & Linotipisti. History, technology and biography on a site dedicated to Linotype. Maintained by Giorgio Coraglia. (Coverage is American, English, Italian and German.)

The Printer, a monthly publication, a "source for letterpress news and ads for fine press, book arts, hobby, collectors, and commercial printers."

Printing: Renaissance & Reformation, subtitled "An Exhibit for History 101: European Civilization I," was originally exhibited fall 1995 at the Thomas Cooper Library, University of South Carolina.

Pressed For Time, dedicated to America's newspaper printers.

Stop the Presses, from the New York Times. How the Times was printed in hotmetal (to 1978) and digital (after 1978), and what the future holds. 

Printing in Otago: An Oral History, 1950-2000 Oral history interviews with New Zealand printers. (Flash Player 6 or higher required.) (Maintained by John Weare, University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ)

The Virtual Museum of Printing-Press (in English) Portuguese site concerning writing, printing techniques and persons, sponsored by the AMI-Associação Museu da Imprensa (Press Museum Association) project. Interesting museums links.

Back to the future (article by Megan Lane, at HowDesign.com), concerning a graphic designer's first class in letterpress printing.

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Printing Museums in the United States

Printing Museums is an excellent list of museums throughout the world, maintained by the American Amateur Press Association.

Museum and Workshop Links is an excellent with worldwide coverage in French and English, maintained by the Association Lettres et Images (Geneva). Requires Shockwave.

The following are selected institutions in the USA.

National or Large Regional Printing Museums (USA)

• The National Museum of American History's Division of Information Technology and Communications which includes the Graphic Arts Collections, part of the Smithsonian Institution. The division "holds comprehensive collections of type and printing presses, prints and printmaking tools and equipment, and representative collections for related trades such as bookbinding, papermaking, and printing for the blind. The former Hall of Printing and Graphic Arts closed in December 2003, but the Graphic Arts Collections are available for study by appointment." The press collection is described in two linked PDF files (Washington, DC). (APHA's statement on the closure of the Hall of Printing and Graphic Arts is here.)

• The International Printing Museum, independent museum in Southern California dedicated to promoting history of printing, especially to schools (Carson, CA).

• The Museum of Printing, independent museum, includes recent innovations in printing and important library and archival holdings (North Andover, MA).

• The Museum of Printing History, independent museum (Houston, TX).

• The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum, with a short history of wood type. Operated by Two Rivers Historical Society (Two Rivers, WI).

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Selected Regional Printing Museums (USA)

Any selection of printing museums is problematic and this selection includes private museums (at the end). Some of these institutions might, with more funding, qualify as a major institution. Teaching collections are omitted.

• Bowne & Co. Stationers, working 19th-century presses, part of South Street Seaport Museum, has a significant collection of Nineteenth Century iron presses and types (New York, NY).

• Colonial Williamsburg, recreates a working 18th Century printing shop (Williamsburg, VA)

• John H. & Thomas W. Conner Museum of Antique Printing at the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts (Seymour, IN)

• La Casa Del Libro (in Spanish), a museum-library dedicated to the history and craft of books, printing, and typography. Founded by Elmer Adler of Pynson Printers. (San Juan, Puerto Rico).

• New Echota State Historic Site is a state historic site concerning Cherokee heritage, that includes the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper. Reconstructed print shop with Washington Hoe Press. (Calhoun, GA)

• Historic Deerfield's Wilson Printing House (no information on the printing information online) (Deerfield, MA).

• Old Sturbridge Village Printing Office has a building from Worcester, MA, used for printing by Isaiah Thomas (Sturbridge, CT).

• The Peabody Printing Museum, a hot metal type shop, ca. 1870-1920, run by the Peabody Historical Society (Peabody, Kansas).

• The Old Mormon Print Shop, the general museum for the Beaver Island Historical Society, includes some equipment (Beaver Island, MI).

• Crandall Historical Printing Museum (owned by Louis Crandall) has an emphasis on early Mormon printing (Provo, UT). (Utah County guide page)

• The Excelsior Press Museum of Printing (privately owned) (Frenchtown, NJ).

• Lawton Printers' Museum (privately owned) (Casselberry, Florida).

• The Olde Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum (privately owned) (Old Homosassa, FL) (see also page on the Excelsior site).

• Vermont Historical Society Museum (Montpelier, VT) is said to have the press of Stephen Daye, dating to 1638, the earliest press in America. (No information on the press is online.)

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Selected Academic Institutions with Printing Artifacts (USA):

These are organizations, including libraries, housed at teaching institutions that also own printing artifacts (other printed materials). These institutions tend to have significant collections. See also some of the programs listed under Books Arts, below.

• Harvard's Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, at Harvard University's Houghton Library (includes the Hofer Collection) (Cambridge, MA)

• Melbert B. Cary, Jr. Graphic Arts Collection, at the Rochester Institute of Technology. (The Cary Collection also has a list of useful links.) (Rochester, NY)

• Princeton's Graphic Arts Collection, at Princeton University's Firestone Library includes materials donated by Elmer Adler (Pynson Printers, and former curator), reference collections on calligraphy, illustration, printing and binding, and examples of book arts from all countries. (Princeton, NJ)

• Rare Book School (formerly Book Arts Press, formerly at Columbia University) has classes on books and printing as well as an iron handpress and type (Charlottesville, VA)

Selected Newspaper Printing Museums (USA):

• The Newseum, dedicated to the news media, both print and non-print (Washington, D.C.)

• The Roy M. Chatters Boomerang Newspaper and Printing Museum, independent museum (Palouse, Washington)

• Palmer (Newspaper) Museum of Jewell, Kansas, tries to interpret local life through theJewell County Republican newspaper office.

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Printing Museums throughout the World

This list, while far from complete, gives priority to English language websites for museums that can be visited, rather than "virtual museums."

• Gutenberg Museum (Mainz, Germany)

• Bodoni Museum of Berlin (in German) (Berlin, Germany)

• Die Deutsche Bibliothek (English site) the national library and national bibliographic information center for Germany. See links to "Book Museums + Special Collections," notably the Deutsches Buch- und Schriftmuseum (founded in 1884 as "Deutsches Buchgewerbe-Museum") which claims to be the oldest book museum in the world and is now a department of the Deutsche Bücherei Leipzig (German version)

• Museum fuer Schriftguss, Satz und Druckverfahren (in German). Holdings include the D. Stempel archives and equipment. Unique typecasting workshop using the Stempel machinery. Active printing program. Workshops in bookbinding, copperplate engraving, and lithography.  (Darmstadt, Germany)

• Imre Kner Museum (Druckerei-Museum) (Gyoma, Hungary)

• Institut für Buchwissenschaft (in German) study and research program in printing at the University of Mainz (Mainz, Germany)

• Kiscelli Museum (not an official homepage) (In Hungarian) (Budapest, Hungary)

• Klingspor Museum for Modern International Book Art, Typography and Calligraphy. Collections include Rudolf Koch and other prominent book and type designers (Offenbach am Main, Germany)

• Melbourne Museum of Printing. Has a nice glossary of typography and printing. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Meermanno Westrenianum Museum (in Dutch) Type and printing. (The Haag, The Netherlands)

• Musée de l'Imprimerie de Lyon. (in French) Fairly extensive review of printing history and collection holdings, connected to the Municipal Library. (Lyons, France)

• Museum de Historische Drukkerij (in Dutch), Museum of typography and typefounding, primarily for period 1880-1900. (Maastricht, The Netherlands)

• The Penrith Museum of Printing, working museum of hand and hot metal equipment, including that of the Nepean Times Newspaper (NSW, Australia)

• The Piccolo Gallery and Printing Museum, regional printing museum offering pictures of its presses (Nairn, near Inverness, Scotland, UK)

• Plantin-Moretus Museum (Antwerp, Belgium) (See also the director's extensive description in English, on receiving the APHA award.)

• Printing Museum, Tokyo (English site), emphasizes industry and craft of printing, as well as study of printing culture and modern applications. Many of its activities focus on the printing of Japan and the rest of Asia. (Tokyo, Japan)

• The St. Bride Printing Library (London, UK). (Site of its Friends group)

• Scryption Museum. Writing and typing (Tilburg, The Netherlands)

• Tipoteca Italiana Foundation Museum (English site), has information on type-setting, casting, printing, restoration and classes (Cornuda, Treviso, Italy).

• The Type Museum. Collections based on the Monotype (UK) Corp., Stephenson Blake Ltd. metal type and wood type. Still makes Monotype matrices. Opened July 2003 with limited access. (London, UK).

• William Clowes Ltd Printing Museum, description of printer and company; has printing and binding equipment (Beccles, Suffolk, UK)

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Printing and Publishing History -- Allied Organizations

Letterpress Discussion List is for  letterpress printers and fans. Often includes historical discussions. See the List's Frequently Asked Questions, maintained by Green Dolphin Press. 

Information about the Book and Book Arts Community online lists  many organizations, including many having only postal addresses (Maintained by Oak Knoll Books.)

The Bibliographical Society (United Kingdom.)

The Bibliographical Society of America (See also its Bibliography on the Web.)

The Bibliographical Society of Canada

The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia

The Caxton Club of Chicago

The Grolier Club of New York

The Oxford Bibliographical Society (United Kingdom)

The Printing Historical Society (United Kingdom)

Rare Book School at the University of Virginia (formerly known as the Book Arts Press of Columbia University, New York)

Research Society for American Periodicals (RSAP)

The Society for Textual Scholarship

The Society for the History of Authorship, Reading & Publishing (SHARP)

The Typophiles of New York

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Type, Typography and Calligraphy

Search Yahoo for Typography

Typography Miscellaneous Font Links and Type Musea (Excellent lists maintained by Luc Devroye, McGill University, Montreal, Canada)

List of Typographical Musea and Printers. (in French) List of typography-related museums and repositories. (List maintained by Jacques André.)

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Professional designers' organization.

Offline: American Typefounders Fellowship (ATF). Interested in preserving hot-metal typecasting and letterpress printing. (Formerly at www.printerstradingpost.com)

Association for the Calligraphic Arts, founded in 1997 for increasing awareness and appreciation of calligraphy and the lettering arts through exhibitions, publications, educational programs and related activities.

Blackletter: Type and National Identity (online exhibition) The exhibition text was published as the special double issue nos. 38-39 of APHA's journal Printing History. (Curated by Peter Bain and Paul Shaw in 1998; maintained by Cooper Union.)

A Brief History of Type, by Thomas Phinney, maintained by K Woodward, Redsun.com

Calligraphy Links maintained by Cecilia, mostly Australian.

Calligraphy Guild of Pittsburgh

Calligraphy Web Ring, lots of sites.

Counterspace, dedicated to type and typography. Sections on classification, anatomy and timeline.

CyberScribes, including information on CALLIG, the Calligraphy Mailing list (hosted by Teri Martin Designs).

International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH)

John Ryder: An Appreciation (maintained by Paul Moxon)

Lettering Today and Tomorrow (UK) a program of exhibitions, talks, practical sessions, publications and work with schools, supported by the Edward Johnston Foundation and the Ditchling Museum. The program's long term purpose is to establish a centre for the lettering arts in Ditchling. Includes information on the new Edward Johnston Foundation.

Letterspace Nexus. Site maintained by Letterspace, relating to type, typography, and letter design. Useful links.

New Series. Fascinating commentary by Andrew Crewdon who has a good sense of the history of type and type design.

Planet Typography. Journal and portal edited by Jean-Christophe Loubet del Bayle. (English language version of the original site Planete Typographie (in French). See also his Typographie & Civilisation (in French), described below.

Serif: The Magazine of Type and Typography (See also "Sans Serif: Online Companion to Serif," which has links to many events and announcements.)

Society of Scribes (SOS). Dedicated to calligraphy and fine writing.

Society of Scribes and Illuminators (United Kingdom), founded in 1921 in the UK by early students of Edward Johnston with the aim of advancing the crafts of writing and illumination.

Society of Typographic Aficionados (SoTA). Dedicated to the promotion, study, and support of type, its history and development.

Society for Calligraphy (Southern California), promotes the study, teaching and practice of calligraphy and related disciplines.

Spencerian.com, commercial site of Michael and Deb Sull relating to Spencerian script.

Type Directors Club (TDC). Devoted to excellence in typography, both in print and on screen.

TYPO-L site for the mailing list; includes archives, articles by subscribers, etc.