The Grolier Club of New York

08/25/2021

The Biblio File hosted by Nigel Beale: Meghan Constantinou with the goods on private library catalogues

Grolier Club Librarian, Meghan Read Constantinou, talks all about private library catalogues in a recent podcast interview with Nigel Beale. She discusses historic examples from the Grolier Club Library and, with the help of advice from club members Sarah Funke Butler Julie Carlsen, and PJ Mode, gives advice for making modern ones.

https://thebibliofile.ca/meghan-constantinou-with-the-goods-on-private-library-catalogues

Meghan Constantinou has been Head Librarian at since 2011 and a Club member since 2013. Her research interests include the history of private collecting, women’s book ownership, and provenance studies. The Club Library collects, preserves, and makes accessible materials dedicated to the histo...

08/16/2021

Vellum Hebrew manuscript waste found as sewing guards in our copy of Johannes Nider, Manuale Confessorum, bound with two other works, all printed in Cologne by Conrad Winters, de Homborch, in 1479; bound by the Sankt Georg Binder, Cologne, after 1479 (attribution by George Fletcher, MEI id 02128148)

#GrolierClub #GrolierClubLibrary #Manuscript #BindersWaste #HebrewManuscript #Incunabula

07/23/2021

Final days for our summer exhibitions! "100 Books Famous in Typography" and "New Members Collect" both close on Saturday, July 31. Please reserve your gallery visits via https://grolierclub.eventbrite.com. The Grolier Club will be closed during the month of August.

We will kick off our 2021-2022 season in September. "'The Great George': Cruikshank and London's Graphic Humorists (1800-1850)" from the collection of Josephine Lea Iselin opens September 15 in our second floor gallery, and "Treasures from the Hispanic Society Library" will open September 29 in our first floor gallery.

In the meantime, you can always find our exhibitions online: https://grolierclub.omeka.net.

Final days for our summer exhibitions! "100 Books Famous in Typography" and "New Members Collect" both close on Saturday, July 31. Please reserve your gallery visits via https://grolierclub.eventbrite.com. The Grolier Club will be closed during the month of August.

We will kick off our 2021-2022 season in September. "'The Great George': Cruikshank and London's Graphic Humorists (1800-1850)" from the collection of Josephine Lea Iselin opens September 15 in our second floor gallery, and "Treasures from the Hispanic Society Library" will open September 29 in our first floor gallery.

In the meantime, you can always find our exhibitions online: https://grolierclub.omeka.net.

07/13/2021

Tuskegee’s Printing Office

Assistant Librarian, Scott Ellwood's latest contribution to the Grolier Club Library blog discusses our recently acquired photograph of the student printing office at Tuskegee University (then Institute), ca. 1910-1915, amid the larger context of printing education at HBCUs. A gold mine for further research!
https://grolierclub.wordpress.com/2021/07/13/tuskegees-printing-office/

By Scott Ellwood, Assistant Librarian “Printing Shop, Tuskegee,” (ca. 1910-1915). Original photograph in the Grolier Club Library. The Grolier Club recently acquired from Between the Co…

07/12/2021

Paging Eric White and Lisa Fagin Davis: Ms binding waste found in the front and back of Seneca's Tragoediae (Venice: Matteo Capcasa (di Codeca), 18 July 1493, ISTC is00437000). From the Oliver gift. Ready go!

07/08/2021

To follow up on our exciting announcement about the Oliver gift of incunables, we are sharing these fun unpacking photos! Our thanks to Assistant Librarian, Scott Ellwood, and Library Assistant, Kylie Goetz, for these great shots.

07/07/2021

The Grolier Club is pleased and honored to announce the recent acquisition of a significant collection of incunabula, donated by Grolier Club member Andrew Oliver of Washington, DC. The twenty-four volumes in the Andrew Oliver gift bear printing dates between 1475 and 1501, and illustrate the art of printing as it developed in cities across Europe, with examples from Basel, Florence, Venice, Augsburg, Brescia, Strassburg, Vicenza, Lyon, and Bologna. A full press release is available on our blog: https://grolierclub.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/collection-of-incunabula-donated-to-the-grolier-club/

The Grolier Club is pleased and honored to announce the recent acquisition of a significant collection of incunabula, donated by Grolier Club member Andrew Oliver of Washington, DC. The twenty-four volumes in the Andrew Oliver gift bear printing dates between 1475 and 1501, and illustrate the art of printing as it developed in cities across Europe, with examples from Basel, Florence, Venice, Augsburg, Brescia, Strassburg, Vicenza, Lyon, and Bologna. A full press release is available on our blog: https://grolierclub.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/collection-of-incunabula-donated-to-the-grolier-club/

07/06/2021

Great new acquisition: ca. 1934 trade catalogue and type specimen of the Chinese-American firm Bock Ngar Chy Co., 920 Grant Ave, San Francisco, California founded by Lee Shew Hung #typespecimen #chinesetypography #20thcentury #chineseamericanhistory

06/29/2021

Please note: The Grolier Club will be closed on Monday, July 5, for the Independence Day holiday.

06/23/2021

Grolier Club Librarian, Meghan Read Constantinou was interviewed by Silke Lohmann for The Book Collector's 'Interview with a Librarian' series. Meghan talks about her thoughts on the field, exciting discoveries, plans and projects, and reflections on the pandemic. https://mailchi.mp/486b30c30773/newwebsiteforthebookcollector-7954745

Grolier Club Librarian, Meghan Read Constantinou was interviewed by Silke Lohmann for The Book Collector's 'Interview with a Librarian' series. Meghan talks about her thoughts on the field, exciting discoveries, plans and projects, and reflections on the pandemic. https://mailchi.mp/486b30c30773/newwebsiteforthebookcollector-7954745

06/15/2021

We are pleased to announce that the “Oath of a Freeman,” long considered one of the most notorious printing forgeries of all time, has been acquired by Kenneth W. Rendell and Shirley McNerney Rendell for donation to the Grolier Club. The full press release can be found on our blog: https://grolierclub.wordpress.com/2021/06/15/infamous-oath-of-a-freeman-forgery-acquired-for-the-grolier-club/

We are pleased to announce that the “Oath of a Freeman,” long considered one of the most notorious printing forgeries of all time, has been acquired by Kenneth W. Rendell and Shirley McNerney Rendell for donation to the Grolier Club. The full press release can be found on our blog: https://grolierclub.wordpress.com/2021/06/15/infamous-oath-of-a-freeman-forgery-acquired-for-the-grolier-club/

06/03/2021

We're pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition in our second floor gallery: "New Members Collect" showcases items from the collections of members who joined the Grolier Club in 2020. An online version of the exhibition, containing items from additional members, is available at https://grolierclub.omeka.net/exhibits/show/nmc-2021.

We're pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition in our second floor gallery: "New Members Collect" showcases items from the collections of members who joined the Grolier Club in 2020. An online version of the exhibition, containing items from additional members, is available at https://grolierclub.omeka.net/exhibits/show/nmc-2021.

06/01/2021

Please Note: Our first floor gallery exhibition, "One Hundred Books Famous in Typography," will be closed on Tuesday, June 8. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

05/25/2021

Please note: The Grolier Club will be closed on Monday, May 31, for the Memorial Day holiday.

05/13/2021

Very excited about our new collection of 42 booksellers’ trade cards from Bordeaux, France, 1780-1810. Lots to explore! #tradecards #booktrade #bordeauxfrance #eighteenthcentury #nineteenthcentury

05/12/2021

We're pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition in our first floor gallery: "One Hundred Books Famous in Typography." The exhibition runs through July 31, 2021. It is open to the public free of charge, but reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance via https://grolierclub.eventbrite.com. Please come join us for the latest installment in a long tradition of "Grolier Hundreds!"

We're pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition in our first floor gallery: "One Hundred Books Famous in Typography." The exhibition runs through July 31, 2021. It is open to the public free of charge, but reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance via https://grolierclub.eventbrite.com. Please come join us for the latest installment in a long tradition of "Grolier Hundreds!"

05/07/2021

The Daily Heller: Kelly’s Type Book Canon

The Daily Heller: Kelly’s Type Book Canon

Typophiles and bibliophiles rejoice: Jerry Kelly has organized an exhibition and authored a catalog, “100 Books Famous in Typography.”

05/04/2021

DIY inspiration for your home library.

First, a circa 1828 catalog for the Earl Sheffield’s library at Sheffield Park, Sussex, assembled by cut-and-paste with strips of manuscript entries for each book.

Second, a pen and ink bookplate in the style of a medallion, with a male n**e seated among sculptures, a Greek motto to one side, and the mysterious signature “Cx” at bottom; pasted in A Catalogue of Books: The Effects of Dr. Peter Bardon ... [1746?]

#GrolierClub #GrolierClubLibrary #LibraryCatalog #Manuscript #DIY #Library #RareBooks

04/30/2021

Please note: Our elevator will be out of service Wednesday-Friday, May 5-7. During that time, accessing our "Taming the Tongue" exhibition will require visitors to use one flight of stairs. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

04/23/2021

Five beautiful exhibition posters from La Casa Del Libro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fine printer, curator, collector, and Grolier Club member Elmer Adler served as the first librarian and laid the foundation for the collection. La Casa Del Libro has examples of fine books ranging from medieval manuscripts to contemporary private press books. Discover more on their Instagram @CasaDelLibroPR

Pictured:
1. Ilustraciones de Jack e Irene Delano para el libro "The Emperor's New Clothes" Una exposicion en La Casa del Libro, Cristo 255, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2. Homenaje al Dante 1265-1965: exposicion conmemorativa de Marzo en adelante: la Casa del Libro.
3. Una Exposicion La Musica en el Libro: La Casa del Libro Calle del Cristo 255, San Juan de Puerto Rico Mayo, Junio & Julio, 1970.
4. La Letra Inicial [de Rafael Tufiño].
5. Antonio Frasconi Libros Alustrados; Agosto 27, 1976 San Juan, Puerto Rico.

#LaCasaDelLibroPR #LCDL #Poster #PosterArt #ScreenPrinting #ElmerAdler #PynsonPress #GrolierClub #BookArts #RafaelTufiño #Dante #AntonioFrasconi

04/21/2021

Grammar-Nerd Heaven

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/comma-queen/grammar-nerd-heaven

A new exhibit showcases the surprisingly contentious history of English grammar books.

04/15/2021

The magazines that made America | Apollo Magazine

The magazines that made America | Apollo Magazine

The pages of US periodicals trumpet a country making it up as it went along, covering everything from prohibition to pulp fiction, writes Todd McEwen

04/13/2021

Grolier Club Will Host Typography Exhibition | Fine Books & Collections

Grolier Club Will Host Typography Exhibition | Fine Books & Collections

New York — In 1902 the Grolier Club mounted an exhibition entitled “One Hundred Books Famous in English Literature.” The exhibition and its accompanying catalogue were a major success. To this day people refer to books distinguished by inclusion in that show as milestones in the history of wri...

04/06/2021

Excited to report our acquisition of two new photographs documenting printing history! Ca 1920 photo of student printers in the Tuskegee University printing shop; and an album of 27 photos of Linotype machines from ca. 1917 @grolierclub #printinghistory #blackhistory #linotypemachine #linotype

04/02/2021

Think You’ve Read Everything During Covid-19? Here’s Every Magazine You Ever Dreamed Of

Another profile of our "Magazines and the American Experience" exhibition!

If you’re a New Yorker, you’re constantly surprised by finding new, eye-opening events, museums, buildings, neighborhoods.

03/31/2021

The Grolier Club

Please note: The Grolier Club will be closed on Monday, April 5. Our galleries will reopen at 10 am on Tuesday, April 6. Apologies for any inconvenience.

As always, exhibition reservations can be made (at least 48 hours in advance) at https://grolierclub.eventbrite.com.

Founded in 1884, the Grolier Club is America’s oldest and largest society for bibliophiles and enthusiasts in the graphic arts. Named for Jean Grolier (1489 or 90-1565), the Renaissance collector renowned for sharing his library with friends, the Club’s objective is to promote “the study, coll...

03/31/2021

Book from FDR’s Library Donated to the Grolier Club by Steven Lomazow

The Latest from the Grolier Club Library Blog: A book from FDR's library given to the club by Steven Lomazow. Thank you Steven!
https://grolierclub.wordpress.com/2021/03/31/book-from-fdrs-library-donated-to-the-grolier-club-by-steven-lomazow/

Grolier Club member, Steven Lomazow, recently presented the Library with an engaging little book formerly owned by one of the club’s most famous members, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Honorary member:…

03/30/2021

We honor the penultimate day of #WomensHistoryMonth with an exciting new acquisition: The private library catalog of Maria Cristina of the Two Sicilies, queen consort of Spain (1806-1878). It was compiled for the princess at her Vista Alegre palace by her librarian Eugenio Giorgi in 1841. The library had over 2500 titles in a variety of subjects: natural history, literature (including 14 titles by Sir Walter Scott in french translation), philosophy, medicine, military science, geography, and costumes. All items are described in great detail, including copy-specific information about bindings. We look forward to learning more!

03/25/2021

Grolier Club Librarian, Meghan Read Constantinou will be giving a virtual lecture on private library catalogues in the Grolier Club's collection on Tue May 4 (5:30 GMT/12:30 pm EDT). The talk is for the History of Libraries Seminar sponsored by the Institute of English Studies (IES), School of Advanced Study, University of London. All are welcome! https://www.history.ac.uk/events/private-library-catalogues-sources-library-history-appreciation

Grolier Club Librarian, Meghan Read Constantinou will be giving a virtual lecture on private library catalogues in the Grolier Club's collection on Tue May 4 (5:30 GMT/12:30 pm EDT). The talk is for the History of Libraries Seminar sponsored by the Institute of English Studies (IES), School of Advanced Study, University of London. All are welcome! https://www.history.ac.uk/events/private-library-catalogues-sources-library-history-appreciation

03/22/2021

2021 APHA Virtual Conference Call for Proposals - American Printing History Association

We'll be hosting a virtual conference with American Printing History Association (APHA) in the fall. Proposals are now being accepted at https://printinghistory.org/2021-apha-virtual-conference-call-for-proposals/?utm_campaign=wp-to-twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

The American Printing History Association welcomes proposals for Impresos: Printing Across Latin American and Caribbean Cultures An APHA virtual conference, hosted by the Grolier Club,…

03/17/2021

‘Magazines and the American Experience’ Review: The Imprint of History

‘Magazines and the American Experience’ Review: The Imprint of History

An exhibition at the Grolier Club examines the ways magazines have reflected and shaped the country’s politics and culture.

03/11/2021

Grolier Club shows how fury, plagiarism, hypocrisy, and madness once plagued grammarians

Grolier Club shows how fury, plagiarism, hypocrisy, and madness once plagued grammarians

The exhibition Taming the Tongue in the Heyday of English Grammar (1711–1851), is on display March 4 through May 15, 2021, at the Grolier Club.