American Printing History Association records, 1972-2018

Creator:

Abstract:

The American Printing History Association (APHA) was founded in 1974 to foster and to promote interest in the history of printing, especially American printing, and in the preservation of its artifacts. The records document the activities of both the national organization and its local chapters, and include material on the board of directors, bylaws, chapters, committees, conferences, finance, meetings, membership, publications, and special projects.

Extent:

24.4 linear feet 23 document boxes, 14 flat boxes, 5 record storage cartons, and 1 card file box

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

The APHA records document the activities of the national organization and its local chapters, and include annual reports, brochures, bylaws, budgets, clippings, correspondence, financial reports, legal documents, lists of officers and members, memoranda, minutes, notes, press releases, programs, and speeches.

The records of the national organization include documentation of annual conferences, annual meetings, awards, the board of directors, bylaws, committees, conferences, finance, meetings, membership, publishing efforts, and special projects. The chapter records are incomplete. There are no records related to the Chesapeake chapter, and with the exception of the New York and Philadelphia chapters, documentation is limited to newsletters and information on the founding of each chapter. The records of the New York Chapter are the most extensive, and include announcements, bylaws, correspondence, financial records, meeting materials and minutes, lists of members and officers, and press releases.

The documentation of APHA is incomplete and haphazard. A filing system was created for existing records in 1981; as a result, most of the organization's early records were organized and preserved in the archives. The lack of a documentation system thereafter has created inconsistency and gaps in coverage of the organization's activities. As a whole, documentation is best for 1974-1988, although presidential records provide some documentation for the late 1990s.

Biographical / historical:

The American Printing History Association (APHA) was founded as the result of a proposal published by Walter Kubelius in his column"The Printing Whirl" in the 1971 issue of "Printing Impressions". Kubelius proposed that an American Printing Historical Society should be founded to foster scholarship and to serve as a forum for the exchange of knowledge. At the time, it was thought that the society should be developed as an American chapter of the Printing Historical Society, which represents all aspects of the printing arts and industry worldwide. Although J. Ben Lieberman pursued this objective, it was ultimately decided that it would be too difficult to fit the new society's aims within those of the larger organization, and APHA was founded as a independent organization in May 1974.

APHA established an organizational structure that would serve its goals. There were four main components - the membership, local chapters, trustees and officers, and committees. APHA wanted to have a broad membership, and with it local chapters to organize ongoing activities. Committees would be used to handle specialized programs, and a national board of trustees and officers would serve to coordinate the local chapters and to pursue national and international projects that could not be handled at the chapter level.

APHA has four main organizational objectives: 1. To encourage the study of printing, especially American printing, in its whole range. 2. To produce and promote publications, exhibitions, conferences, lectures, and other functions so that information is exchanged. 3. To foster the development and maintenance of libraries and museums for the preservation of materials that relate to printing history. 4. To cooperate with others to recognize the central importance of printing to humanity.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Several gifts of material have been made over many years.

Custodial history:

The archives of the American Printing History Association (APHA) were originally housed at the Columbia University School of Library Service, starting in the early 1980s.

Processing information:

The APHA records were organized into a filing system by Carol Reid Briggs in 1981; this material makes up most of Boxes 1-4. Her research on the founding and organizational structure of the organization was also used as a source for the organizational history in this finding aid. Additional processing work was completed student assistants and by Patrick Lawlor Catherine Carson Ricciardi (1994) and (2008-2009, 2013, 2017).

Finding aid written by Catherine Carson Ricciardi in June 2008.

Finding aid updated by Catherine Carson Ricciardi in December 2009, September 2013, and December 2017.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in 6 series.

Accruals:

Additions are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

The two major publications of APHA, Printing History and the APHA Newsletter, have been separately cataloged as part of the Graphic Arts book collection of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

The J. Ben Lieberman Papers at the University of Delaware. Lieberman was the founder and first president of APHA

The American Printing History Association Collection, circa 1974-1983 at the University of California at Santa Barbara. The collection contains bylaws, membership directories and information, flyers, conference notices and programs, and other mailings relating to activities of APHA, including the Southern California Chapter. These mainly consist of items sent to Hobart Skofield, an APHA member.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection has no restrictions.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); American Printing History Association Records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection