[Rarebooks] For sale: archive of 100+ American amateur press publications, 1900-1957

[Robin Bledsoe]

For your consideration, offered here first:

A large archive of amateur press publications, a good core for a 
research collection devoted to these letterpress communications from 
grass-roots America.Approximately 108 pieces (including 2 duplicates) 
from 66 different amateur printers, 1900-1957.Overall very good to 
fine.$1200. ppd. in U.S. (trade discount)

Itemized list e-mailed on request.

>From towns large and small across America, plus four from England and 
Wales.Largely from the first four decades of the 20th century.Many first 
(and only?) appearances.Mostly single issues, a few short runs. Scarce 
survivals, all.

Literary and politically minded Americans were able to share their 
tastes, their lives, and their opinions with the wider world by means of 
these little pamphlets, which they typeset and printed in small numbers 
for exchange among other printer-members of the American / National / 
United Amateur Press Association and regional amateur press 
groups.Topics include printer humor, club news and disputes, current 
events such as the rise of Hitler and World War II, verse and stories 
(including a flagrant plagiarism of “The Gift of the Magi” by a junior 
member), the state of amateur journalism, inspirational musings, true 
life experiences, etc.Several women printers are represented, as well as 
a 13-year-old boy who continued his publication into college.Three 
issues are printed onto unused one-penny postcards.

All paperbound, sometimes stitched or stapled.Usually from 2 to 8 pages, 
often with related ads and sometimes with a few stock illustrations. The 
layout and presswork vary widely in quality.Some are painstaking first 
efforts, others are from the hands of more experienced hobby 
printers.Occasional light wear; partly erased old pencil prices on most 
of the pieces; paper sometimes age-toned.Overall in remarkably nice 
condition.

Not yet listed on our online sites.

-- 
Robin Bledsoe, Bookseller (ABAA)
1640 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA  02138   shop hours Tuesday-Saturday 12-6
617-576-3634

www.bledsoebooks.com

Good art and horse books since 1973