In This Issue:

Upcoming Workshop: Julia Miller Nag Hammadi Meet member Tara OBrien DVC Exhibit opens this fall: Submit your work! Not a Member? Information on How to Join Introducing Denise Carbones newest book

Pressing Matter
Summer, 2007 Number 2 The Publication of the Deleware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers

Learn-a-Technique Workshop
We adverstised our new short workshops as fast, friendly, and free and our first offering was that and more! The workshops, hosted at The Library Company of Philadelphia, are being held on Saturday mornings. DVC will provide the coffee and materials; you provide the inspiration. Graham Watson, a recent graduate of the MFA Book Arts Program at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, voluteered to teach a book structure using Tyvek for the cover. Graham shared a structure he developed for a book he exibited in his thesis show. The structure combines the simplicity of a pamphlet sewn into the cover, and the elegance of a limp vellum binding. Beautiful work! So, lets hear from you. Do you have a technique youd like to share? E-mail your ideas to Jennifer at bindery@librarycompany.org and well get you on the schedule. Tyvek offers many characteristics that
Graham enjoys working with

area happenings
save The DaTe! 215 FesTivaL
The Lovingly Bound II book and arts fair will take place on October 6, 2007 in Philadelphia. A call for exhibitors is forthcoming. Stay tuned to 215festival.com for more information. Questions? Please contact Kristine Paulus at: kristine_paulus@yahoo.com.

MixeD MeDia, MixeD coMpany: conjuncTions aT The coMMon press

On Exhibit: April 23rd - August 17th, 2007 This exhibition looks at some of the collaborations that have come out of the Common Press, the letterpress studio at Penn, in its first year of production, and juxtaposes them against poetry broadsides from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Founded in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklins birth, the Press provides a mixed media environment where students interested in the book arts can move between digital and manual text and image making. It encourages collaborations among writers, printmakers, and others across the University. free and open to the public (please show photo ID at entrance) Reservations appreciated but not required Please email friends@pobox.upenn.edu or phone 1-800-390-1829 Rosenwald Gallery, 6th floor, Van-Pelt Dietrich Library Center University of Pennsylvania, 3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday, by prior arrangement, noon-4pm

Delaware Valley Chapter Guild of Book Workers c/o The McLean Conservation Department The Library Company of Philadelphia 1314 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

Learn-A-Technique workshops provide a relaxed atmosphere for the exchange of ideas

Graham demonstrates preparing the corners as Hedi and Denise look on

upcoMing Workshop: The nag haMMaDi coDices: singLe quire BinDings WiTh juLia MiLLer
saTurDay sepTeMBer 29 anD sunDay sepTeMBer 30 We will soon be taking reservations for this exciting fall workshop. Space is limited, so if you are interested, dont hesitate to reply. The following workshop description was provided by Julia Miller: The purpose of the class is to learn about early single quire structures and touch on the use of such structures up to the present. The class will make a replica binding of one of the Nag Hammadi codices, which date from 4th century C.E., using a variety of materials, including paper, leather and papyrus. The class will study the history of this find, how papyrus rolls were made and divided for codices, and learn in depth about the binding variations of the 10 most intact extant covers. Leather paring skills are not necessary. Time permitting the class will also make a second replica binding of a 16th century Spanish single quire binding, which shares a surprising number of structural details with the Nag Hammadi codices, using a heavyweight paper for the cover. Participants will also make a sampler of the variety of closure systems used on the Nag Hammadi codices and the 16th c. vellum binding. Slides, models of 10 of the extant 11 covers and handouts of recent research information on early codex structures will supplement the lecture and benchwork.

Book exhiBiTs aT The LiBrary coMpany oF phiLaDeLphia Color-Plate Books From the Collection
The Library Company of Philadelphias collection includes many compelling and delightful items, and The Library Company of Philadelphia is currently exhibiting they are highlighting selections throughout the year in vibrant color-plate images produced in Britain and America their small exhibit cases. The following mini-exhibits are from the 1760s to the 1890s. In Franklins youth, pictures currently on display: in color were not widely available because color was an expensive luxury. Colored pictures were usually created by pre-ornaMenTeD Book cLoTh showcases the McLean adding watercolor by hand to printed plates. Living Color: Conservation Departments exciting contribution to the Collecting Color-Plate Books at the Library Company of field of 19th-century book studies. Their article PrePhiladelphia exhibits some of the first color-plate books ornamented Bookcloth on Nineteenth-century Cloth that went through this lavish and time-consuming process. Case Bindings (The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America; June, 2000) broke new ground, in the study of a previously unrecognized yet significant development Living Color features work by Catesby and Sharp, as of 19th-century bookbinding style and technique. The well as artists William Birch, Alexander Wilson, and John exhibit features the books that prompted the interest of James Audubon. Because the exhibition is arranged in the our conservators. order the books were acquired, it also illuminates both the evolution of graphic arts and the work of the librarians and contributors who increased the collections scope and The gooD, The BaD anD The...ugLy? shows gold stamps of a variety of creatures on the covers of 19thquality. century cloth bindings. The highlighted books are mostly on topics of popular science, and their stamps depict The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday-Friday, insects, mammals, crustaceans, reptiles, mollusks, and 9:00am-4:45pm in the Library Companys gallery at 1314 zoophytes. Locust Street. Details about the exhibition and the Library Companys collection of color-plate books can be found at The current mini-exhibits will be on display through September 28, 2007. Get to know the quirky side of the www.librarycompany.org/collections/natural.htm. Library Company!

juLia MiLLer is now a

book conservator in private practice after being a senior conservator on the staff of the University of Michigan conservation lab for ten years. Her focus has shifted from bench conservation to making and teaching models of historical bindings. For several years she has volunteered her time to describe historical binding structures for two rare book collections at the University of Michigan. She recently taught The Nag Hammadi Codices: Single Quire Bindings Codex VI at the 2006 Paper and Book Intensive. She curated Suave Mechanicals: Early to Modern Binding Styles at the U of M Special Collections Library in 2003. She was guest curator of a recent exhibit of historical bindings at the William Clements Library titled Elegant to Eccentric: Bindings from the Main Room at the William L. Clements Library (JanuaryMarch 2007). She will be teaching a week long class on the Nag Hammadi Codices at the Montefiascone School in Italy in August, 2007 and is planning to travel to Egypt at that time to study the original covers of the NHC.

inTroDucing... Observations on the Caterpillar Stitch

Sewing Card and Instruction Manual by Denise Carbone 75.00 + shipping to order call 215-440-3413

or email dcarbone@amphilsoc.org

Book revieW
A few years ago I saw advertised in the Guild of Bookworkers newsletter A Guide to Experimental Letterpress Techniques. This small book is written by Barbara Tetenbaum of Triangular Press. She writes, I originally made it to supplement a workshop I taught for PBI and then discovered that others were interested in them, too. I sent off my $17 and eagerly awaited my guide. I had an edition of one hundred prints to make for the Members celebration portfolio at the New York Center for Book Arts and I wanted a technique I could have fun with while learning something new. I loved the book from the start, full of pictures, drawings and beautiful color images. Barbara has a simple and straight forward way of explaining both printing on the Vandercook and experimenting with the printing. Barbara writes in the introduction, I realized that lovely, atmospheric images could be created from a flat type-high block simply by placing a collaged paper image directly behind the printing sheet. Wow! That means cheap, spontaneous and fun. I cut my stencil out of cover weight paper and started printing. After many experiments, I had a system of printing which included the ghost print. Since mine was a project to produce a broadside, I printed my text later on this print using antique wood type. I went on to make two books utilizing this technique - Meatball Math and Dance of Six Dinner Plates on a Common Table. Also covered in the book are monoprinting and relief printing. The possibilities are endless! The unlimited edition sells for $15 + $2 postage, so $17 total. Checks made out to Barbara Tetenbaum, send to 7907 N. Wabash Ave. Portland, OR 97217 btetenbaum@yahoo.com review by: Alice Austin

MeeT chapTer MeMBer Tara oBrien

Entity, 2007 Tara OBrien

To say Tara OBrien is actively involved in the book arts community would be an understatement. In addition to Diary Project, 2007 Tara OBrien her involvement with the Guild, Tara is a member of the Philadelphia Center for the Book, and InLiquid. In her artist statement Tara writes, Entelechy: n. 1. in the philosophy of Aristotle, the condition of a thing whose essence is fully realized; actuality. 2. in some philosophical systems, a vital force that directs an organism toward self-fulfillment.
www.bartleby.com - The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Published by Houghton Mifflin Co.

How is life lived?

Its a Lousy Situation, Broadside, 2005 Alice Austin

Diary Project, 2007 Tara OBrien

Call for entries

Delaware Valley Chapter Members of the Guild of Book Workers: New Work A small non-juried exhibit at the Library Company of Philadelphia September 28, 2007 to February 28, 2008 Deadline for submission: September 14, 2007 We have two upright wall cases available on either side of the elevators. They measure 54H x 54W x 15D with two shelves inside. Current members may submit up to two small items. We may show only one book depending on how many submissions we receive. A postcard and a party are planned. If you would like to submit work, please fill out the enclosed form and deliver (in person or by mail) to either Jennifer Rosner or Alice Austin at the Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Perhaps it is a straight line, created by connecting one experience to the next. Perhaps it is a churning, complicated series of steps: a day to day grind of movement pushed by an unseen force. Perhaps the documentation of the small steps is more interesting than the final outcome. Books are a metaphor for the structure of a life. Each spread representing the process of living and the page-turn is a marker; a point of reflection. Tara is a graduate of the MFA program in Book Arts and Printmaking at the University of the Arts. She currently works as Manager of the Preservation Essence, 2007 Tara OBrien Department at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and teaches classes at various area schools. You can see Taras work in person at the following locations: The Icebox, opening July 12th 5:30 - 8:00. Show runs July 11th - July 28th Center for Book Arts, NY, opens July 12th. Show runs July 12th - Sept 15th

Dont miss out on this great opportunity to show your work!

Fyi: keeping you inForMeD

GUILD OF BOOK WORKERS. DELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTER. GUIDELINES APPROVED AT ANNUAL CHAPTER MEETING 8/9/06 I. NAME: The official name of the organization is THE DELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTER OF THE GUILD OF BOOK WORKERS, herein referred to as the Chapter. II. PURPOSE: The purpose of the Chapter is to support the purpose of the Guild of Book Workers (GBW) through establishing and maintaining a feeling of kinship and mutual interest among GBW members in the Delaware Valley by sponsoring educational and networking opportunities for its members in matters related to the full spectrum of hand book crafts. III. AUTHORITY: The Chapter is organized at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the GBW and in accordance with GBW Bylaws. IV. MEMBERSHIP: All members of the GBW may apply for Chapter membership through application to the GBW Membership Committee. V. MEMBERSHIP DUES: Dues are determined by the Executive Committee of the GBW and are collected by the GBW Treasurer prior to being forwarded to the Chapter. VI. GOVERNMENT: The Chapter shall be governed by a Committee composed of the Chapter Officers. The Vice-President and Treasurer of the national Guild of Book Workers shall be ex-officio members of the Committee. The Committee is empowered to fill vacancies in its membership between elections. There will be one annual business meeting in the spring where the Chapter membership will review and approve the activities of the Committee. Changes to Chapter Guidelines may also be submitted for approval at that time. Approval is by a majority vote of those members present. VII. OFFICERS: The Chapter Officers will include a President, a Secretary/Treasurer, a Program Chair, and a Newsletter Editor. All officers shall be Chapter members in good standing. The term of office shall be two years with elections to be held in even-numbered years in the Fall and approved by a majority vote. The duties of the officers shall be: PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter, coordinate the activities of the Chapter Officers, and serve in ex officio on the GBW Board of Directors. With the Secretary/Treasurer, the President shall have the authority to approve bills for payment. SECRETARY/TREASURER: The Secretary/Treasurer shall record minutes of all meetings and shall keep a record of the Chapters finances. With the President, the Secretary/Treasurer shall have the authority to approve bills for payment. PROGRAM CHAIR: The Program Chair shall organize and coordinate educational programs every year and prepare information for the newsletter to publicize these programs. NEWSLETTER EDITOR: To issue a Newsletter three times a year for the purpose of keeping the membership informed of Chapter business and activities as well as other local events, activities or concerns which might be of interest to the membership.

hoW Do i BecoMe a MeMBer oF The DeLaWare vaLLey chapTer oF The guiLD oF Book Workers?
First of all, you must become a member of the national organization of the Guild of Bookworkers (GBW). Anyone can become a member of the GBW. The Guild of Book Workers was founded in 1906 to establish and maintain a feeling of kinship and mutual interest among workers in the several hand book crafts. All you have to do is fill out an application and send in your membership dues. Applications are available online at: http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/ membership.shtml Simply print out a membership application and send it via snail mail to the GBW along with your check. (The GBW has plans to completely revamp their website so that one can apply for membership online, but that option is not ready yet.) Send the application to the following address: GBW 521 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10175-0038 You can also request an application through the mail at the above address. The yearly membership dues are as follows: US resident: $75. Student: $40. (for three years only) Chapter dues: additional $10.

chapTer survey resuLTs

The Spring 2007 Chapter Newsletter Pressing Matter included a survey to get a better idea of what our chapter members wanted. Of the twenty-nine surveys sent out, we had eight surveys returned to us. We learned the following: 1. Our members are most interested in learning: attending workshops and hearing lectures. This was followed closely with the desire to meet socially and to exhibit work. Our members are less interested in actually presenting a lecture or workshop than in attending one. 2. Our members really like to get the newsletter and tend to read it right away. They would like most to hear about upcoming Chapter events and features about other Chapter members and their work. Some would also like to hear about local exhibits sponsored by other groups and reviews of shows and books. A few said they would be willing to contribute to the newsletter. 3. An equal number preferred to be informed of Chapter events by either email or snail mail. Some of the above was not surprising. It seems that our members have always wanted to learn more about bookbinding. We had a very positive response to our recent newsletter and plan to incorporate some of the ideas from the survey into this years plans. The biggest surprise was that our members didnt always want to get information via email. So as of now, we will both mail postcards and email members about upcoming events. This will be followed by email reminders. Hopefully we will reach everyone that way! Jennifer Rosner

WhaT Do i geT For My MeMBership?

You will receive the Newsletter from the national organization every other month and the Journal once or twice a year. You will also receive a Membership Directory that is updated every year. There are a Supply Directory and a Study Opportunities List available online. Your dues to the Delaware Valley Chapter will bring you the chapter newsletter, Pressing Matter, three times a year. We plan to host several workshops a year and also a few social gatherings. Members can attend workshops at a reduced rate. We hope to have occasional exhibits of members work. If you are a member and have an idea of something you would like to do, by all means let us know! We would love to have your input and your help.