Oak Knoll Fest - Celebrating the 20th Fest

A message from ILAB bookseller and publisher Oak Knoll Books & Press:

All books convey a message through printed word and image. The fine press book is not just a vessel for an idea, but a message in and of itself. When the careful combination of paper, typography, printing, and binding accentuate the ideas contained within in a distinctive and artistic way, then the book as an object takes on special importance. How this evolving practice is viewed by artisans, collectors, institutions, and dealers is what Oak Knoll Fest is all about.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons a large, varied selection of handmade books and prints will be on display and for sale by their creators. As in the past, the exhibits will be held at the New Castle Senior Center (a few blocks from Oak Knoll Books at 400 South Street).

The speaking events will start Friday morning with a talk from Pat Sweet, proprietor of Bo Press, an artists’ book publisher specializing in miniature books with unusual bindings. Pat is a member of the Miniature Book Society (as is Oak Knoll), who has been creating miniature books for over ten years. Following that will be a talk by David Sellers, owner of Pied Oxen Printers, in which he will discuss his approach to working with well-known poets and artists. Registration for both talks is required due to space constraints. The registration form is available at www.oakknoll.com/fest.

On Saturday, our featured guest speaker, Rebecca Romney, will give a talk titled "When Doves Cry," an homage to T. J. Cobden-Sanderson based on an essay in her new book, Printer’s Error, which features humorous stories in bibliophilic history. During the fine press book exhibition, Oak Knoll will sponsor a table for Rebecca to make available for sale copies of her book, as well as a book signing. Following the featured guest speaker, a symposium will consider the past, present, and future of the Fine Press Book Association. The panel will feature Carol Grossman, Steven Heaver, and Mark McMurray, who will talk about the founding and history of the F.P.B.A., and the role of the Association in the future of fine press printing.

On Sunday, guest speaker Graham Moss, owner of Incline Press, will talk on the history of the firm in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Graham began publishing his own letterpress printed and hand bound books in October 1993. In addition to discussing letterpress printing at Incline Press, he will be looking at ancillary work, how he passes on knowledge and skills within an open-access printmakers studio, and how he demonstrates the techniques of the iron handpress to the public in John Rylands Library, Manchester.

For Oak Knoll Fest I, II, and X, a commemorative portfolio of broadsides was issued for these Fests. The same will be taking place for Oak Knoll Fest XX. The edition run will be 80 copies. These portfolios will be available for sale during the Fest.

The entire event is open to the public free of charge. To celebrate the weekend, Oak Knoll will feature a discounted sale of 20% off the entire stock, as well as 50% off duplicates. This sale will last from Thursday, October 4th to Monday, October 8th.

Oak Knoll Books, an antiquarian book dealer since 1976, and Oak Knoll Press, a publisher and distributor of over 1000 titles, have the world’s largest inventory of books about books. Oak Knoll is a member of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Oak Knoll has sponsored Oak Knoll Fest in Historic New Castle since 1994.

Oak Knoll's founder, the late Bob Fleck was awarded ILAB President of Honour. His son and wife Rob and Millie Fleck are continuing the family tradition.