CAXTON CLUB 1895-1995, CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF THE BOOK IN CHICAGO.|THE

Chicago: The Caxton Club, 1995. gray cloth over boards with white stamping and paper label with slipcase. Caxton Club. 8vo. gray cloth over boards with white stamping and paper label with slipcase. 224 pages. The Caxton Club was founded in Chicago in January 1895 by fifteen bibliophiles. Its objective was the "literary study and promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books" and "the occasional publishing of books designed to illustrate, promote and encourage these arts." One century later, the Club remains dedicated to this objective. It brings together a community of individuals who share the love of books and provides them a forum to educate one another on their content and design; and about the joys of reading them. In addition, their activities and existence have contributed a significant chapter to the history of book collecting in America with its changing tastes and the evolution of fine printing and fine binding over 100 years in Chicago. Caxton Club historian, Frank J. Piehl, offers a taste of the artistic, intellectual and literary atmosphere of Chicago from which the Caxton Club merged. According to Piehl, early bibliophiles concerned themselves not only with a book's contents, but also with the physical aspects of a book. In its 100 years, the Club has published 60 books that are distinguished by their content and design. Nineteen are important historical works, sixteen describe the history of printing and bookbindings, seven relate to bibliophiles and book collecting, and the remaining eighteen comprise a miscellany of poetry, literary works, plays, an opera and other items. Anyone who is interested in the history of book collecting, printing and bookbinding will enjoy this work. Designed by Caxtonian Bruce Beck and printed by R.R. Donnelley & Sons, the Caxton Club publishes this history of the Club that includes an up-to-date bibliography of the Club's publications, as well as biographies of Caxtonians who have contributed prominently to the advancement of the book and the club. Limited to 1,000 numbered and signed copies of which 900 are offered for sale.