The Canadian Fine Press Exhibit
Setting up The Canadian Fine Press Exhibit
Setting up The Canadian Fine Press Exhibit

About

With exhibitions at five locations on the University of Toronto campus, the Canadian Fine Press Exhibit celebrates a wide range of letterpress publications, hand-printed ephemera, chapbooks, and other fine-press works to be found within the university’s special collections and libraries.

The exhibition runs concurrently from January to May 2019 and includes spotlights on poetry chapbooks, Toronto-area fine presses, individual printers and designers, and the career of the printer and designer Glenn Goluska.

The Canadian Fine Press Exhibit will launch at the University of St. Michael’s College with the release of the Kelly Library imprint “A Tetrad” on January 22, 2019, at 6 pm in Muzzo Family Alumni Hall 100, 121 St. Joseph Street. The exhibit marks the beginning of the John M. Kelly Library’s 50th Anniversary.

Exhibition

January to May 2019

Contributing Libraries

The launch of “a tetrad”

Lorem ipsum dolor lorem ipsum dolor

Learn more

Exhibit Opening

At the University of St. Michael’s College on January 22, 2019

  • Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
    Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
  • Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
    Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
  • Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
    Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
  • Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019
    Scenes from the Canadian Fine Press Exhibition Opening, January 2019

Selections from the Exhibit

The Canadian Fine Press Exhibit takes place across five institutions and runs concurrently from January to May 2019.

John M. Kelly Library, St. Michael’s College

“Print and Printers at the Kelly Library”

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the John M. Kelly Library presents a major exhibition on Canadian Fine Press, with a special focus on printers, design, and press work. The Kelly Library exhibition features a display of hand-press processes and materials from the artisanal presses of the library’s Print Studio with a special showcase on the fine print and design work of St. Michael’s 1969 grad Glenn Goluska.

Exhibit

January 22 to April 19, 2019 

Location

113 St. Joseph Street, Toronto

Curated by

  • Robert KROETSCH : Liebhaber’s Wood Type In Wayzgoose Anthology, 1987 (A gathering of signatures produced by Private Press Printers and bound by Hand Bookbinders participating in Wayzgoose ’87 in the Grimsby Public Art Gallery on Saturday, 25 April, 1987. One of 22 signatures.
    Robert KROETSCH : Liebhaber’s Wood Type In Wayzgoose Anthology, 1987 (A gathering of signatures produced by Private Press Printers and bound by Hand Bookbinders participating in Wayzgoose ’87 in the Grimsby Public Art Gallery on Saturday, 25 April, 1987. One of 22 signatures.
  • In Vino Veritas; A Typographic Celebration in Bottles and Goblets of Wine and Drink. Wayzgoose 81 Grimsby Toronto : imprimerie dromadaire. 1981 Card covers sewn. 21.8 cm x 13.9 cm
    In Vino Veritas; A Typographic Celebration in Bottles and Goblets of Wine and Drink. Wayzgoose 81 Grimsby Toronto : imprimerie dromadaire. 1981 Card covers sewn. 21.8 cm x 13.9 cm
  • Alexander URUSOV : The Cry of Distant Ants Toronto : imprimerie dromadaire. 1978 Types: foundry Palatino and Egyptian Bold Condensed Paper: Nideggen. 24.3 cm x 16.3 cm 36 pages
    Alexander URUSOV : The Cry of Distant Ants Toronto : imprimerie dromadaire. 1978 Types: foundry Palatino and Egyptian Bold Condensed Paper: Nideggen. 24.3 cm x 16.3 cm 36 pages
  • bpNichol : journal Toronto: The Coach House Press, 1978 Types: Clarendon and wood type 21.5 x 12 pages vi, 80
    bpNichol : journal Toronto: The Coach House Press, 1978 Types: Clarendon and wood type 21.5 x 12 pages vi, 80
  • El Lissitzky : Typographic Facts Toronto: imprimerie dromadaire. 1985 Types: Metrolite, Metroblack, woodtype (typeface not-specified) Paper: Mohawk Letterpress Text. 21.5 x 14 cm (8 pages plus cover). Typographic Facts was first published in 1925. This edition has been designed, composed, and printed at imprimerie dromadaire, Toronto, February 1985. It contains a statement of Lissitzky’s design principles.
    El Lissitzky : Typographic Facts Toronto: imprimerie dromadaire. 1985 Types: Metrolite, Metroblack, woodtype (typeface not-specified) Paper: Mohawk Letterpress Text. 21.5 x 14 cm (8 pages plus cover). Typographic Facts was first published in 1925. This edition has been designed, composed, and printed at imprimerie dromadaire, Toronto, February 1985. It contains a statement of Lissitzky’s design principles.
  • Denis ROCHE : La Poésie / Poetry imprimerie dromadaire. No place or date stated. Types: French text is Trump Semi-Bold Condensed and the English text is Gill Sans. The other type-face is not known. 42 cm x 27.5 cm Broadside
    Denis ROCHE : La Poésie / Poetry imprimerie dromadaire. No place or date stated. Types: French text is Trump Semi-Bold Condensed and the English text is Gill Sans. The other type-face is not known. 42 cm x 27.5 cm Broadside

E.J. Pratt Library, Victoria College

“Canadian Poets and Fine Press”

The exhibition at the E.J. Pratt Library features ephemera and books of poetry composed by individuals associated with Victoria University. These titles were published by various private presses in Canada between the 1950s and the early 2000s, including Aliquando, Blackfish, Dreadnaught, Frog Hollow, Gauntlet, Grand Union, Hawkshead, Salamander, Seizin, and Tortoise.

Exhibit

January 7 – April 30, 2019 

Location

71 Queen’s Park Crescent East, Toronto

Curated by

  • Agatha Barc
  • Carmen Socknat
  • Gabrielle Fournier
  • Pratt, E.J. They Tell Us That the Ocean's Birth. 1960. Folio. Photoreproduction of a Christmas greeting card illustrated with aquatint etching entitled “Pearl” (edition 2–10) by Claire Pratt, dated 1954. Poem is included in the compilation The Music of Oberon, under the title “The Sea Shell.” E.J. Pratt collection.
    Pratt, E.J. They Tell Us That the Ocean’s Birth. 1960. Folio. Photoreproduction of a Christmas greeting card illustrated with aquatint etching entitled “Pearl” (edition 2–10) by Claire Pratt, dated 1954. Poem is included in the compilation The Music of Oberon, under the title “The Sea Shell.” E.J. Pratt collection.
  • Pratt, Claire. Black Heather: Haiku. 1980. Four unbound folios, coloured by the author. Verso inscribed by the author. Gift of Claire Pratt. E.J. Pratt collection.
    Pratt, Claire. Black Heather: Haiku. 1980. Four unbound folios, coloured by the author. Verso inscribed by the author. Gift of Claire Pratt. E.J. Pratt collection.
  • Pratt, E.J. Grant Us, Lord. 1966. Four-leaf accordion book. Verso illustrated with a blue woodblock print by Claire Pratt. Recto inscribed: Best wishes for Christmas   |   Dorothy E. Long  |  1966. E.J. Pratt collection.
    Pratt, E.J. Grant Us, Lord. 1966. Four-leaf accordion book. Verso illustrated with a blue woodblock print by Claire Pratt. Recto inscribed: Best wishes for Christmas   |   Dorothy E. Long  |  1966. E.J. Pratt collection.
  • Pratt, E.J. Snowfall on a Battlefield. One-quarto Christmas greeting card. Verso illustrated with a wood engraving entitled “Snow Crystals” by Claire Pratt, titled, signed and dated. Inscribed: Christmas greetings | to the Hoenigers | from the Pratts | 5 Elm Avenue. Includes the text of the poem, “Snowfall on a Battle-Field,” originally published in Newfoundland Verse (Ryerson Press, 1923). Gift of F. David Hoeniger. E.J. Pratt collection.
    Pratt, E.J. Snowfall on a Battlefield. One-quarto Christmas greeting card. Verso illustrated with a wood engraving entitled “Snow Crystals” by Claire Pratt, titled, signed and dated. Inscribed: Christmas greetings | to the Hoenigers | from the Pratts | 5 Elm Avenue. Includes the text of the poem, “Snowfall on a Battle-Field,” originally published in Newfoundland Verse (Ryerson Press, 1923). Gift of F. David Hoeniger. E.J. Pratt collection.
  • Pratt, Claire. Haiku. 1965. The front cover and the title page illustrated with a wood engraving by the author. Title page inscribed by the author. Printed on laid paper. Gift of Claire Pratt. E.J. Pratt collection.
    Pratt, Claire. Haiku. 1965. The front cover and the title page illustrated with a wood engraving by the author. Title page inscribed by the author. Printed on laid paper. Gift of Claire Pratt. E.J. Pratt collection.

John W. Graham Library, Trinity College

“Early Impressions and the Golden Dog Press”

The John W. Graham Library highlights holdings from its rare and special collections related to Golden Dog Press and founder J. Kemp Waldie. Golden Dog Press is considered to have been one of the first private presses in Canada to print fine editions.

Exhibit

January – May 2019

Location

6 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto

Curated by

  • Kate MacDonald
  • Christopher Hogendoorn

Robertson Davies Library, Massey College

“Glenn Goluska’s Early Print Works”

The exhibition Robertson Davies Library, Massey College, concentrates on the early publishing career of typographer, book designer, and letterpress printer, Glenn Goluska.

Digital Ephemera by robert reid

A Curatorial research initiative presented by CAUSA (Collective for Advanced and Unified Studies in the Visual Arts) as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the John M. Kelly Library. 

“Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.”
— Samuel Johnson

Exhibit

January – April 2019

Location

4 Devonshire Place, Toronto

Curated by

  • Chester Gryski
  • PJ MacDougal
  • CAUSA 1
  • CAUSA 2
  • CAUSA 3
  • CAUSA 4
  • CAUSA 5
  • CAUSA 6
  • CAUSA 7
  • CAUSA 8
  • CAUSA 9
  • CAUSA 10
  • CAUSA 11
  • CAUSA 12
  • CAUSA 13
  • CAUSA 14
  • CAUSA 15
  • CAUSA 16
  • CAUSA 17
  • CAUSA 18
  • CAUSA 19
  • CAUSA 20
  • CAUSA 21
  • CAUSA 22
  • CAUSA 23
  • CAUSA 24
  • CAUSA 25
  • CAUSA 26
  • CAUSA 27
  • CAUSA 28
  • CAUSA 29

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

“The Typographical World of Glenn Goluska and his Contemporaries”

Glenn Goluska has been called Canada’s finest letterpress designer and printer. Though he died too young in 2011, he left a lasting legacy for this country’s fine-press book makers and designers. The Fisher Library’s exhibition features Goluska’s work along with his typographic contemporaries. Much of the material on display showcases books using wood type, a specialty and favourite of Goluska’s. It  includes books from Dreadnaught, Aliqaundo Press, Barbarian Press and Andrew Steeves, along with Goluska’s imprint imprimerie dromadaire.

Exhibit

January 7 – 31, 2019 

Location

120 St. George Street, Toronto

Curated by

  • John Shoesmith
  • FISHER 1
    FISHER 1
  • FISHER 2
  • FISHER 3
  • FISHER 5
  • FISHER 4
  • FISHER 6
  • FISHER 7
  • FISHER 8

Thank You

Nelson Adams, Friends of the Kelly Library, Chester Gryski, Sheril Hook, Linda Joy, Natasa Krsmanovic, PJ MacDougall, Michael McLuhan, Sana Mohtadi, Maya Pasternak, John Papadopoulos, Sarah Sharma, Lisa Sherlock, Don Taylor, Joel Vaughan, and Teresa Wong. Design by Sheila Eaton.