AAPA members who have arrived at the convention site in Dayton, Ohio since the Thursday evening Chinese supper include Arie Koelewyn, Mark McComas, Jim Patterson, and Bob Tauber.
The first activity for Saturday was the visit to the U. S. Air Force Museum. This museum is housed in a vast facility, and a whole lot of airplanes were on exhibit. According to what I understand, it turns out that one of the jet airplanes on exhibit there was the very airplane that our colleague Jack Scott flew during his days as a jet pilot!
After lunch the combined members of the AAPA and NAPA assembled in the meeting room to view a demonstration of the LetterMPress app for iPads and Macs. John Bonadies--the owner of Bonadies Creative, Inc., Molly Poganski, and Jeff Adams (who happens to be the cousin of our President, Susan Petrone) gave this amazing presentation. For those who are not acquainted with this "app," all I can say is "Ya just gotta see it!" Fonts of wood type are displayed on the top of the screen, from which the user can select the type face preferred. It looks so authentic; these are actual photos of the type itself. Having selected the type face, the user can drag the individual letters down to the bed of a Vandercook cylinder press--again, an actual photo of a Vandercook. After assembling the type on the bed (and hearing the same clicks and clacks you would hear while setting the type up on a real press bed), you can select the paper you want, then the ink--even mixing inks, if you so desire. When all is ready, you give the cylinder a little shove (actually a little swipe on the screen of the iPad), and watch the cylinder go rolling over the paper, pressing it against the inked type. And the finished broadside comes flying up to your view! What an inadequate description of a totally amazing piece of technology! Connect with a printer and you can even print your broadside!
Members of the two groups began assembling in the lobby of the hotel at 5:30 p.m. for the social hour, followed by a group photo shortly after 6:00 p.m. After the photo, the door into the meeting room (which had been transformed into the banquet room) was open, and members filed in and began sitting at the tables. After a tasty meal, George Hamilton, a member of AAPA's Laureate Committee, announced the 2012 Laureate Awards, then Michelle Klosterman and Alice Brosey presented the Laureate Awards for NAPA.
The speaker for the banquet was Alex Heckman, the Director of Education and Museum Operations at Dayton History at Carillon Park. Heckman's speech took in aspects of Dayton's history, the Wright Brothers' printing endeavors, and their subsequent flight achievements.
At the end of the banquet, NAPA President Alice Brosey officially pronounced the NAPA convention concluded, followed by AAPA President Susan Petrone's official pronouncement of the end of the AAPA convention.
Many thanks are due the planners of the convention: Michelle Klosterman, Gary Bossler, and Lisa Branstetter Holt. The success of the convention was the result of days and weeks of hard work, planning, and yes--probably a certain amount of stress. Thanks also to the members who took the time and made the effort to attend. Without attenders, the convention just would not be!
Note: Anyone who would like the list of everyone on the group photo, please let me know: ivan.d.snyder@gmail.com.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27 Afternoon Convention Activities
Friday afternoon's joint session began with a report from Tom Parson regarding the status of the Graham-Wesson collection. There is quite a history of how The Fossils came to be in possession of that collection; the late Stan Oliner, of Denver, Colorado had received it, and had begun to analyze the extent of the collection. It included the Wessons' bound volumes of amateur journals, and also the four boxes of 3x5 index cards from the late Victor Moitoret, and his father Tony Moitoret before him. Upon Oliner's death, Tom Parson offered to continue organizing the collection, since he also lives in Denver. There are quite a few unresolved issues, which Tom is having to figure out with what little information he has. Tom has inherited a massive task, and is hard at work cataloguing everything in such a way that information will be available by journal, publisher, organization (NAPA, AAPA, UAPAA, etc.), by city and state where published, etc. If members have questions regarding specific journals, Tom is willing to try to find answers; questions may be addressed to librarian@amateurpress.org. Please understand that the work of organization is just beginning, and it may be some time before some information is available.
Tom's report was an appropriate lead-in to the next subject of discussion: how AAPA and NAPA can coöperate in the promotion of amateur journalism. Tom's ongoing work in cataloguing the vast collection of AJ, supported by AAPA, NAPA, and The Fossils, is an outstanding example of intergroup coöperation. NAPA President Alice Brosey led the group discussion. Some of the ideas brought up included the integration of online blogs as part of ajay endeavors, since blogs are the present-day manifestation of the amateur journals published--often by young people--during the 20th century. The fact was raised that one advantage of publishing a blog online is that it eliminates the need to turn out 200 or 300 copies of a journal, which can be a formidable task on a hand press. This led to mention that some publishers in the past have used limited mailings; they privately mailed their journals to other members whose journals they had received, thus not having to produce a lot of copies to members who are not evidencing much interest in the hobby; but then hope was expressed that the work involved in privately mailing journals might lead to the conclusion that maybe the bundles are the easiest way, after all. Another point brought up was the possibility that writing, printing, and publishing could tend to be a lone effort. Instead of a lot of lone publishers sending something for the bundle, this should be a community of likeminded individuals together pursuing a common hobby. Communication with those whose efforts appear in the bundle, and attending conventions and local gatherings could foster a spirit of togetherness and stimulate a deeper interest in participating.
No final conclusion was reached, and the assembly was dismissed amid thanks to Tom Parson for the work he is doing with the Graham-Wesson collection.
The auction was scheduled for 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.; actual start and end times were a few minutes after what was scheduled. Auctioneer George Hamilton went through several tables full of items that had been donated. Member Stan Pekala had printed bags stating that "I bought all this wonderful stuff at the AAPA/NAPA Auction Friday, July 27, 2012 - Dayton, O.," and each bid winner was given a bag (or bags) in which to carry off the loot. Some items generated vigorous competition among bidders; however a great number of journals were purchased at super-bargain prices, partly because the volume of them precluded extracting what they should be worth. Also on the auction block were books, type cases, cuts (including a beautiful wood engraving for which Austin Jones won the bid--but he had to pay dearly for it) and a few other miscellaneous items.
Following the close of the auction, a number of members retreated to the hospitality suite, where West Virginia member Mark McComas was sketching caricatures of anyone who wanted one, for a donation to be split between AAPA and NAPA.
Tomorrow's agenda include a visit to the U. S. Air Force Museum, a demonstration of the "LetterMPress," an iPad application that allows near-letterpress printing on an iPad; then group photos and a buffet style banquet in the evening. Stay tuned.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Friday, July 27 Morning Convention Activities
The 2012 AAPA convention continued this forenoon, starting with an informational session, which included introduction of attenders, officers' reports, and other miscellaneous discussions. Arrivals since yesterday include Jim Patton and Bob Tauber.
President Susan Petrone opened the session welcoming attenders to this convention, and thanking each one for sharing their weekend with the group. She also thanked the AAPA for entrusting the group to her leadership in last year's elections. Her first goal, she stated--somewhat "tongue in cheek"--was to keep from damaging the association. But further, she would like to increase activity and the fun we can have together as a group, participating in our hobby, amateur journalism. She would like to increase online participation among members who do not own printing equipment, those who are no longer able to or interested in operating printing equipment, and those who just like to use computers to have fun in amateur journalism, whether they do or do not have the availability to printing.
Secretary-treasurer Ivan Snyder, the only other officer at this convention, gave a brief report of membership statistics and the financial status. The report included five members we have lost to the grim reaper in the past twelve months, and sadly, that number has now increased to six, with the death of Santa Clara, California member Charles H. Hinde, Sr. on July 22. Membership as of the end of June 2012 was 222; we obviously need to do more recruiting, and every AAPA member is "deputized" to work on that task. The financial section shows that the balance is remaining fairly stable, hovering around the $7000 mark. This is a positive statistic, given the increased cost of mailing all bundles first class. Two factors which have made this possible are the generosity of some members who make donations to the organization--and some of them quite generous; and proceeds from the annual convention and its auction.
Some of the discussion which followed dealt with possibilities for next year's convention. Susan is open to receiving bids for members willing to host the 2013 event. So think about it!
After a short break, both AAPA and NAPA members gathered in the convention room for a very interesting demonstration of an easy method of bookbinding, led by Columbus, Ohio member Bob Tauber, Book Arts Specialist at the Ohio State University Libraries' Center for Book Arts and Logan Elm Press. Bob was capably assisted by Jim Patterson, also of Columbus, Ohio. Each one present was given materials for a book: paper components cut to size and binding thread; needles, wax, scissors, and bone folders were provided for the hands-on demonstration. Bob showed each step of the folding, sewing, and assembly; so that at the end of the session, each one had a small bound booklet.
Scheduled for this afternoon is a joint AAPA-NAPA session which will explore ways the two groups can coöperate, as well as a report from Tom Parson on the status of the Graham-Wesson collection. The joint auction is to be held this evening. So stay tuned for more reports from the 2012 convention.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
2012 AAPA Convention Underway
The 2012 AAPA convention, held concurrently with the National Amateur Press Association (NAPA) in Dayton, Ohio, started off, as it often does, with the Charlie Bush Chinese supper, held at the Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet.
Present at this event were (in alphabetical order):
Marti and Guy Abell (NAPA)
Gary Bossler
Bill and Ruth Boys (NAPA)
Lisa Branstetter-Holt (NAPA)
Alice and Marc Brosey
George Hamilton
Kim Hamilton
Austin and Jean Jones
Michelle Klosterman (NAPA)
Jiyani Lawson
Jon McGrew (NAPA)
Tom Parson
Susan Petrone and Ella Daugherty
Stan Pekala
Peter and Connie Schaub
Barry and Kay Schrader
Jack and Maurine Scott
Harold Shive (NAPA)
Ivan Snyder
Clarence Wolfshohl.
(If I left anyone out, I shall get the missing name(s) added ASAP.
Back at the Courtyard Marriott afterwards, many of the members of both groups found their way to the Hospitality Suite on third floor for chatting, tales of members we have known in past years, reviewing photos of past conventions, and looking over journals. (Not to mention snacks!)
Tomorrow the AAPA convention proper begins with an informational session, then the programs that have been planned. Reports will follow as events unfold.
Present at this event were (in alphabetical order):
Marti and Guy Abell (NAPA)
Gary Bossler
Bill and Ruth Boys (NAPA)
Lisa Branstetter-Holt (NAPA)
Alice and Marc Brosey
George Hamilton
Kim Hamilton
Austin and Jean Jones
Michelle Klosterman (NAPA)
Jiyani Lawson
Jon McGrew (NAPA)
Tom Parson
Susan Petrone and Ella Daugherty
Stan Pekala
Peter and Connie Schaub
Barry and Kay Schrader
Jack and Maurine Scott
Harold Shive (NAPA)
Ivan Snyder
Clarence Wolfshohl.
(If I left anyone out, I shall get the missing name(s) added ASAP.
Back at the Courtyard Marriott afterwards, many of the members of both groups found their way to the Hospitality Suite on third floor for chatting, tales of members we have known in past years, reviewing photos of past conventions, and looking over journals. (Not to mention snacks!)
Tomorrow the AAPA convention proper begins with an informational session, then the programs that have been planned. Reports will follow as events unfold.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Third and Final Day of the 2011 Convention
Sunday, July 3: The 2011 convention's final day included two notable activities: a visit to the San Jose History Park and the Printing Office staffed by the San Jose Printers' Guild, and a visit to Dave and Liz Tribby's residence and Handset Press.
Grateful for transportation provided by thoughtful drivers, members piled out in the parking lot of History Park in beautiful, sunny San Jose weather. This printer was happy for the warm weather; I spend about eleven months out of the year wishing for weather like that, and I intend to enjoy it when some comes along!
After a delightful picnic lunch provided by Dave and Liz Tribby--and there may have been others involved, members meandered over to the Printing Office. Guild members Dave Robison, Marjorie Wilser, Kim Hamilton, Steve Robison, and Dave Tribby were hosts to visitors. Dave demonstrated one of his Multigraph presses set up to print in Braille. You may know that the Multigraph uses short, stubby, grooved type which slides into horizontal rails in a cylinder on the press, and Dave has a font of Braille type. The impression cylinder is specially designed to receive the raised dots on the type as they press through the paper. The Braille type is "right reading," and a group of blind visitors had no problem reading the type right on the press. The result on the printed page is blind embossing (no pun intended :-), and the sheet is read from the back side.
The press being demonstrated by Marjorie Wilser was a Weiler Liberty press--with no throw-off lever: if you do not get the paper down on the platen before the press closes, you make an impression on the platen unless you can overpower the press's momentum and get it stopped first. Of course, Marjorie was generous enough to allow AAPA members who wished to do so to treadle off a few impressions to get the feel of the press. It is somewhat of a strange press in that the ink plate is clear to the back of the press, facing away from the operator.
A short drive brought the group to the residence of Dave and Liz Tribby. My oh my, what a print shop Dave has! With the addition of Charlie Hinde's Bean Creek Press, there is a great abundance of type, borders, dingbats, and all sorts of stuff that turned some of us green with envy! And the happy thing about it is that Dave puts it to good use! (Note the Handset Journals and Tribby Tribunes in the bundles, just for a couple of examples.) So surveying the shop and visiting over his treasure trove kept a lot of us happily occupied until the call came to help devour the pizza. Then the visiting was transferred to the patio behind the house. And after that was a tour of the Tribbys' lush and productive garden. It all makes me almost feel like moving to Sunnyvale!
This has been a fantastic convention! Highest commendations are due Dave Tribby and Steve Robison, their wives, and others in the San Jose Printers' Guild for all of the hard work and organizing that went into this convention. It is one that will live in the memory of the attenders for years to come!
Grateful for transportation provided by thoughtful drivers, members piled out in the parking lot of History Park in beautiful, sunny San Jose weather. This printer was happy for the warm weather; I spend about eleven months out of the year wishing for weather like that, and I intend to enjoy it when some comes along!
After a delightful picnic lunch provided by Dave and Liz Tribby--and there may have been others involved, members meandered over to the Printing Office. Guild members Dave Robison, Marjorie Wilser, Kim Hamilton, Steve Robison, and Dave Tribby were hosts to visitors. Dave demonstrated one of his Multigraph presses set up to print in Braille. You may know that the Multigraph uses short, stubby, grooved type which slides into horizontal rails in a cylinder on the press, and Dave has a font of Braille type. The impression cylinder is specially designed to receive the raised dots on the type as they press through the paper. The Braille type is "right reading," and a group of blind visitors had no problem reading the type right on the press. The result on the printed page is blind embossing (no pun intended :-), and the sheet is read from the back side.
The press being demonstrated by Marjorie Wilser was a Weiler Liberty press--with no throw-off lever: if you do not get the paper down on the platen before the press closes, you make an impression on the platen unless you can overpower the press's momentum and get it stopped first. Of course, Marjorie was generous enough to allow AAPA members who wished to do so to treadle off a few impressions to get the feel of the press. It is somewhat of a strange press in that the ink plate is clear to the back of the press, facing away from the operator.
A short drive brought the group to the residence of Dave and Liz Tribby. My oh my, what a print shop Dave has! With the addition of Charlie Hinde's Bean Creek Press, there is a great abundance of type, borders, dingbats, and all sorts of stuff that turned some of us green with envy! And the happy thing about it is that Dave puts it to good use! (Note the Handset Journals and Tribby Tribunes in the bundles, just for a couple of examples.) So surveying the shop and visiting over his treasure trove kept a lot of us happily occupied until the call came to help devour the pizza. Then the visiting was transferred to the patio behind the house. And after that was a tour of the Tribbys' lush and productive garden. It all makes me almost feel like moving to Sunnyvale!
This has been a fantastic convention! Highest commendations are due Dave Tribby and Steve Robison, their wives, and others in the San Jose Printers' Guild for all of the hard work and organizing that went into this convention. It is one that will live in the memory of the attenders for years to come!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Day 2 of 2011 Convention
Saturday, July 2--the convention's second day. Peter Schaub, of Alexandria, Virginia started off the morning program with "Memories of Amateur Journalism." Peter joined the AAPA in 1965, recommended by David Wesson, but as is often the case, life happened; he became busy with other pursuits, and his amateur journalism career--including AAPA membership--was dropped, or at least put on long-term hold. But he rejoined early in 2008, after having looked us up on the internet, and has become active again. Peter gave a fascinating review of his participation in ajay, as a member both of NAPA and AAPA. His Powerpoint presentation showed copies of his amateur journal, "The Novelty Pressman," which he published as a 16-year-old prep school student. He also passed around samples for a close look, as he pointed up certain features of that publication.
Next on the program was "The Great Debate" between Dean Rea and Ivan Snyder. The old die-hard printers discussed AAPA affairs while setting type from their California type cases. During the conversation, they managed to offend almost everyone in attendance, and some that were absent--at least they tried their best to. The final conclusion was that the AAPA has something to offer to those who are interested in amateur journalism, and its members in turn can offer a lot to the AAPA.
After a lunch break, Marjorie Wilser, Dave Robison, and Tom Goglio discussed the San Jose Printers' Guild, each from a unique perspective. Their talks and the pictures shown certainly whetted the AAPA members' appetites for the visit to History Park Sunday.
George Hamilton officiated at the auction Saturday afternoon. George not only kept the audience entertained, but the auction turned out to be very successful. Proceeds from the auction totaled $900! Even so, quite a few AAPA and Guild members escaped with very valuable items for a truly bargain price!
Those attending the banquet Saturday evening had their choice of a vegetarian, fish, or chicken entree. After everyone had pleased their palates, there were a number of awards to be presented. George Hamilton announced the winner of the Marge Adams Petrone Limerick Contest: appropriately, this year's winner was Susan Petrone--who happens to be the daughter of Marge Adams Petrone! George continued the awards presentation by announcing this year's Laureate Award winners. George has served as on the Laureate Committee, along with Johanna Shipley and Shannon Adams. Pres. Mike O'Connor followed, with presentation of several "AAPA Stalwart" awards.
The speaker for the evening was none other than George W. Hamilton himself. George joined the AAPA in 1948, so he has a vast knowledge of ajay affairs. The title of George's talk was "The Next 75--Get More out of Ajay!" The audience became involved as George invited all to tell someone seated next to them some fact about themselves quite apart from their printing or ajay activities. George's point was that there are some fascinating, but unknown facts about every one of us, and how much more fun life could be if we begin to discover some of these facts. (Might be some excellent materials for a good many amateur journals, right?)
All that remained after adjournment was more interaction up in the Hospitality Suite, and that went on until close to midnight.
One delightful feature of this convention was the presence of a number of visitors. Mention has been made of the San Jose Printers' Guild members; Dave Tribby, Steve Robison, Matt Kelsey, and Kim Hamilton are AAPA members who belong to the guild (Kim joined the AAPA on Saturday); but in addition, Marjorie Wilser, Dave Robison, and Tom Goglio were with us. Former AAPA member Allan Stump stopped by for a while. Bay Area Book Artists members Linda Stinchfield and Karen Cutter were with us and gave an enjoyable display of numerous bookmaking techniques. And it was such an honor to have Susan Petrone's cousin Noelle Powell with us for the afternoon and evening. Noelle's mother was Ginny Adams, an AAPA member in past years, one of the "Youngstown Girls."
Next on the program was "The Great Debate" between Dean Rea and Ivan Snyder. The old die-hard printers discussed AAPA affairs while setting type from their California type cases. During the conversation, they managed to offend almost everyone in attendance, and some that were absent--at least they tried their best to. The final conclusion was that the AAPA has something to offer to those who are interested in amateur journalism, and its members in turn can offer a lot to the AAPA.
After a lunch break, Marjorie Wilser, Dave Robison, and Tom Goglio discussed the San Jose Printers' Guild, each from a unique perspective. Their talks and the pictures shown certainly whetted the AAPA members' appetites for the visit to History Park Sunday.
George Hamilton officiated at the auction Saturday afternoon. George not only kept the audience entertained, but the auction turned out to be very successful. Proceeds from the auction totaled $900! Even so, quite a few AAPA and Guild members escaped with very valuable items for a truly bargain price!
Those attending the banquet Saturday evening had their choice of a vegetarian, fish, or chicken entree. After everyone had pleased their palates, there were a number of awards to be presented. George Hamilton announced the winner of the Marge Adams Petrone Limerick Contest: appropriately, this year's winner was Susan Petrone--who happens to be the daughter of Marge Adams Petrone! George continued the awards presentation by announcing this year's Laureate Award winners. George has served as on the Laureate Committee, along with Johanna Shipley and Shannon Adams. Pres. Mike O'Connor followed, with presentation of several "AAPA Stalwart" awards.
The speaker for the evening was none other than George W. Hamilton himself. George joined the AAPA in 1948, so he has a vast knowledge of ajay affairs. The title of George's talk was "The Next 75--Get More out of Ajay!" The audience became involved as George invited all to tell someone seated next to them some fact about themselves quite apart from their printing or ajay activities. George's point was that there are some fascinating, but unknown facts about every one of us, and how much more fun life could be if we begin to discover some of these facts. (Might be some excellent materials for a good many amateur journals, right?)
All that remained after adjournment was more interaction up in the Hospitality Suite, and that went on until close to midnight.
One delightful feature of this convention was the presence of a number of visitors. Mention has been made of the San Jose Printers' Guild members; Dave Tribby, Steve Robison, Matt Kelsey, and Kim Hamilton are AAPA members who belong to the guild (Kim joined the AAPA on Saturday); but in addition, Marjorie Wilser, Dave Robison, and Tom Goglio were with us. Former AAPA member Allan Stump stopped by for a while. Bay Area Book Artists members Linda Stinchfield and Karen Cutter were with us and gave an enjoyable display of numerous bookmaking techniques. And it was such an honor to have Susan Petrone's cousin Noelle Powell with us for the afternoon and evening. Noelle's mother was Ginny Adams, an AAPA member in past years, one of the "Youngstown Girls."
Friday, July 1, 2011
First Full Day of 2011 Convention
The 2011 AAPA convention officially got underway Friday morning, July 1. The first order of business was introduction of members present. Some interesting facts emerged as the members introduced themselves. George Hamilton joined the AAPA in 1948, giving him 63 years in the organization; but Dean Rea joined in 1942, and has been in the AAPA for 69 years!
Reports from the officers were reasonably brief and for information only. Pres. Mike O'Connor led off by reading a report from First Vice-president Mike Coughlin, followed by the secretary-treasurer's report given by Ivan Snyder. Dean Rea was next with the Official Editor's report.
The first presentation was "Business Ventures in Printing," given by Matt Kelsey, a member who lives in Saratoga, California. Matt is proprietor of Liber Apertus Books. He told how he got into book publishing, and give some description of what is involved to publish a book and get it on the market. A number of impressive volumes were passed around for members to take a good look at. Matt also passed around a few wedding invitations and business cards--another line of his business venture. Most of his clients for the latter line come from his web pages on the internet.
Following a brief break, Mike O'Connor presented a talk titled "AAPA's Future: Increasing the 20." The title of course reflects the "80/20" rule--the adage that in a typical organization, 80% of the work and activity is done by 20% of the members. Mike emphasized his facts using a Powerpoint "slide" presentation and the results of two surveys he has made--thanks to the responses of members who took those surveys. Of course, what Mike's presentation led into was: how to increase that 20% of members that are active in the AAPA.
Mike's presentation led quite naturally into the next feature: Dean Rea's and Mike's discussion of "Pixels in a Pica World." Examples were given of members who are publishing electronically--without presses, paper, and ink. The late J. Hill Hamon was one of the pioneers of electronic publishing with his "Whippoorwill E-Comment." Florida member Hugh Singleton and New York member Dave Griffin continue to contribute to the E-Journal Archive. Some discussion ensued in the limited time, contrasting electronic amateur journalism with the traditional printed media, and how the AAPA can go about living in both worlds. Dean Rea is also editor of the online "Author's Bazaar," to which both AAPA members and non-members contribute. Mike O'Connor formats the "Author's Bazaar" and gets it to a website. He divulged some of the secrets he utilizes to get this feature as attractive as it is.
The afternoon's activities gave two glimpses of local pursuits in the "real world." First was a tour of Arion Press and M&H Type, led by Matt Kelsey, a former employee of Arion Press. Stops there were an exhibition of books published by Arion Press over the years, the pressroom where books were actually on the presses, the bindery, and the type foundry where metal type was being cast. Bryan, operating a Monotype Composition Caster, and Dave, operating a Thompson Caster, answered questions from the group as they showed us the operation there. As one would expect, Arion Press does not suffer from a scarcity of type faces. There were rows and rows of full-size type cabinets--probably hundreds of them, each cabinet containing 24 type cases! Arion Press propietor Andrew Hoyem talked to the group and answered questions at the end of the tour.
After a drive through San Francisco traffic, the next tour was through the San Francisco Center for the Book. There were two printing projects underway there--both on Vandercook presses, and both using Photopolymer plates--though there were a good many type cases which could be used if desired--and which no doubt are used on their book projects.
It was a full day--and I have just hit the high points. I shall endeavor to start uploading some photos to the photo album soon. Stay tuned! --I. Snyder
Reports from the officers were reasonably brief and for information only. Pres. Mike O'Connor led off by reading a report from First Vice-president Mike Coughlin, followed by the secretary-treasurer's report given by Ivan Snyder. Dean Rea was next with the Official Editor's report.
The first presentation was "Business Ventures in Printing," given by Matt Kelsey, a member who lives in Saratoga, California. Matt is proprietor of Liber Apertus Books. He told how he got into book publishing, and give some description of what is involved to publish a book and get it on the market. A number of impressive volumes were passed around for members to take a good look at. Matt also passed around a few wedding invitations and business cards--another line of his business venture. Most of his clients for the latter line come from his web pages on the internet.
Following a brief break, Mike O'Connor presented a talk titled "AAPA's Future: Increasing the 20." The title of course reflects the "80/20" rule--the adage that in a typical organization, 80% of the work and activity is done by 20% of the members. Mike emphasized his facts using a Powerpoint "slide" presentation and the results of two surveys he has made--thanks to the responses of members who took those surveys. Of course, what Mike's presentation led into was: how to increase that 20% of members that are active in the AAPA.
Mike's presentation led quite naturally into the next feature: Dean Rea's and Mike's discussion of "Pixels in a Pica World." Examples were given of members who are publishing electronically--without presses, paper, and ink. The late J. Hill Hamon was one of the pioneers of electronic publishing with his "Whippoorwill E-Comment." Florida member Hugh Singleton and New York member Dave Griffin continue to contribute to the E-Journal Archive. Some discussion ensued in the limited time, contrasting electronic amateur journalism with the traditional printed media, and how the AAPA can go about living in both worlds. Dean Rea is also editor of the online "Author's Bazaar," to which both AAPA members and non-members contribute. Mike O'Connor formats the "Author's Bazaar" and gets it to a website. He divulged some of the secrets he utilizes to get this feature as attractive as it is.
The afternoon's activities gave two glimpses of local pursuits in the "real world." First was a tour of Arion Press and M&H Type, led by Matt Kelsey, a former employee of Arion Press. Stops there were an exhibition of books published by Arion Press over the years, the pressroom where books were actually on the presses, the bindery, and the type foundry where metal type was being cast. Bryan, operating a Monotype Composition Caster, and Dave, operating a Thompson Caster, answered questions from the group as they showed us the operation there. As one would expect, Arion Press does not suffer from a scarcity of type faces. There were rows and rows of full-size type cabinets--probably hundreds of them, each cabinet containing 24 type cases! Arion Press propietor Andrew Hoyem talked to the group and answered questions at the end of the tour.
After a drive through San Francisco traffic, the next tour was through the San Francisco Center for the Book. There were two printing projects underway there--both on Vandercook presses, and both using Photopolymer plates--though there were a good many type cases which could be used if desired--and which no doubt are used on their book projects.
It was a full day--and I have just hit the high points. I shall endeavor to start uploading some photos to the photo album soon. Stay tuned! --I. Snyder
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