About the Fair from IPM Board of Directors

On behalf of the Board of Trustees (many of whom were present at the Fair), I’d like to express my thanks and gratitude to the docents, volunteers and staff who made the First Annual Los Angeles Printers Fair a resounding success. During the two hours I was there, I can attest to Leland’s report below – everyone was having a grand time. For those of you who were unable to attend, imagine 600 people filling the galleries and parking lots. It was, in a word, overwhelming.

With an event like this, it is clear to me that the International Printing Museum has finally “arrived.” But “arriving” doesn’t just happen. Instead, it is directly related to the dedication of those who devote their time, energy and love to the museum – its exhibits, the Book Arts Institute and the rapidly expanding education programs.

Kudos to all for a job well done!

Dan Freedland

President, Board of Trustees

International Printing Museum Foundation

(Dr. Leland Whitson, Board of Trustees, demonstrating at the Fair.

Photo from the AIGA Flickr site)

PRINTERS FAIR A “HOT” SUCCESS

By Dr. Leland Whitson, Trustee & Docent Director

Saturday, August 29, 2009, Carson, California.

The First Annual Los Angeles Printers Fair was certainly a “hot” success at the International Printing Museum, Carson, California.

Over 40 Vendors and more than 600 visitors overcame the hot summer day to enjoy the First Annual Los Angeles Printers Fair.

In the Main Gallery Peter Small and Phil Soinski gave tours continuously throughout the day. In the Hot Metal Department in the Book Arts Institute, Luis Garcia, Carlos Garcia and Dr. Leland Whitson were very busy casting and printing Linotype slugs for over 250 visitors. Our Chief Linotype Operator/Mechanic Bill Berkuta worked on a number of machines that were for sale as well as doing some service to our Linotype.

Board Member Jim Thompson with the assistance of Karen Haack and Tim Gould, had prepared a magnificent exhibit in the Book Arts Gallery telling the 100-year history of wood type in America. The wall-mounted time line had been completed thanks to the help of graphic artist Tim Steinmeir. Jim enjoyed explaining his display to a continuous stream of visitors.

New Docents Tim and his wife, Gayle, are both colonial re-enactors. They were both in costume for the day assisting and directing visitors to the various areas and displays as well as promoting the raffle.

In the days leading up to the Fair, Curator Mark Barbour supervised the preparations with the help of Gary Mark Remson, Peter Small, Phil Soinski and a number of Docents. A third tent was purchased and setup adjacent to the two other ones. This provided some sun protection for the largest number of Vendors. Book Arts Director Rachelle Chuang had made up some clever multicolored flyers which were strung on string making very attractive bunting to decorate the entire facility adding a festive mood.

Other Docents helped the day before the fair and early Saturday in an extensive set up included Ira Newlander, Gene Lee, Armand Veronico, Roux Rascoe and Dr. Leland Whitson. Frankie Johnson, our summer intern, devoted many hours to PR duties as well as assisting with numerous tasks at the Museum.

Rich Tautenhahn assisted by Armand Veronico demonstrated our “Movie Star” Heidelberg Windmill press. The press was in the movie, Seven Pounds. Over 4,000 sheets were printed demonstrating how the Windmill got its name. Rich also taught a Windmill class on the Sunday after the Fair.

Lori Barbour and their kids provided food and goodies for a nominal contribution. Dan Snelen and Noah Barbour secured the parking lot and directed visitors moving in and out to pick up items purchased. Roux Rascoe was our security man for the day assisting visitors, Docents, staff and vendors in staying hydrated. He also was most helpful with handicapped visitors. Our loyal Docent from the Santa Barbara area, Marjorie Wilser, helped both on Friday and Saturday. She was also a Vendor. Dave Crammer, our Docent Photographer, memorialized the day on video for YouTube and took many individual digital photos.

As Rachelle has noted, “We couldn’t have done this Printer’s Fair without the help of our great Docents!”

Mark had selected almost fifty large pieces of letterpress equipment which were excess to the collection to be sold at reasonable prices. A number of large presses as well as paper cutters were sent to new homes by the end of the day. Mark has a number of items he has contracted with the owners to deliver personally.

Vendors truly came from near and far: some from the Los Angeles area; the furthest from the New England area, with Canada a close second. We conducted a brief survey asking two questions of the Vendors: “Did you have a good day and would you do it again?” Universally the answer was in the affirmative to both.

Dr. Leland Whitson APA 672

Trustee & Docent Director

International Printing Museum

Carson, California