The Book Club of California

After an extensive search, The Book Club of California is delighted to introduce to FABS members our new Executive Director, Jennifer Sime of Berkeley, California. Jennifer began her term on October 1, 2013. President Anne W. Smith notes that “Jennifer’s range of experience in book publishing and event management, as well as her art direction and editing skills, are extremely well suited to the Club’s mission and vision for its future in support of fine print, Western history, and literature.” Jennifer’s education background includes degrees in art history from Johns Hopkins University (M.A.) and Barnard College (B.A.). Jennifer also has administration and curatorial experience with art galleries and museums including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Say hello to her: Jennifer@bccbooks.org.

In September we mourned the loss of our much-loved longtime librarian, Barbara Land. Barbara is being remembered in the 2013Winter Quarterly News-Letter (QNL), which will be out mid-January 2014. This will also be the last issue brought to us by Dr. Robert Chandler who has opted out of the QNL editorship after 17 years of steadfast service. The Book Club of California is extremely grateful for Dr. Chandler’s remarkable contribution and will miss his wit and wisdom.Peter Rutledge Koch has taken over as Editor of the QNL and welcomes contributions, inquiries, and FABS member news and information. Peter is considering themed issues devoted to fine printing, book fairs and book collecting, western literature, libraries, California wood engravers, and artist books of the American West. Contact him via: editor@bccbooks.org.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Henry Snyder, the Club has benefited in recent months from generosity of individual donors led by Paul Robertson, Barbara Land, Noel Kirshenbaum, and the Florence Walters family. The Club’s library, gallery, and workroom spaces have been updated and enhanced. Library additions
have also included a complete set of Grabhorn Press publications. Contact library@ bcc.org for more information.

The Book Club of California Board maintained extensive program activity in the fall of 2013, culminating with Book Club 101, a December 13th celebration of our one hundred first anniversary honoring donors, volunteers, and supporters. The BCC fall exhibition “Draw me a Story” was on display September 9 to December 30, 2013. Originating from San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum, the twenty-three original drawings and paintings and a baker’s dozen of classic books explored one hundred years of timeless nursery rhymes, fairy stories, bold adventures, amazing animal tales, and imaginative ABCs. Collector Malcolm Whyte curated the exhibition and prepared a keepsake catalog. The exhibition paralleled an expanded schedule of talks and events. Diversity of subject matter has continued to attract increasing audiences as the Club enters its third year in new quarters and expanded attendance statewide. Events and talks included:

A Southern California publication and printing party in Pasadena honored the Club’s most recent book, Richard Wagener’s The Sierra Nevada Suite.

“Civil War in San Francisco” A talk by Glenna Matthews.

“On The Rim of a Volcano” A talk by Bruce McKinney. Presented by the California Rare Book School.

Catamaran Literary Reader Issue #4 Launch Party. Featuring readings by contributors Hilton Obenzinger and Susan Vreeland.

“A Fresh Look at the Library” Young Writers (from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts) read works inspired by the BCC Collection.

“The California Society of Printmakers: One Hundred Years, 1913-2013” A publication party and panel discussion for the CSP Centennial observation.

“Doctors and Patients; Medicine and Literature” One of many panel discussions scheduled for Litquake’s annual San Francisco literary festival.

“Scientist, Scholar, and Scoundrel: The Life and Exploits of Count Guglielmo Libri.” An Illustrated Talk by Jeremy Norman.

“From Heather’s Mommies to Tango’s Daddies: The Evolution of Family Affirming Children’s Literature” A talk by Randy Tarpey-Schwed.

COMING UP:

The next exhibition at The Book Club of California Club is “Design for Modernity: Art Deco Ephemera” from the Collection of Bruce Shyer” January 27 – April 28 2014.

And please SAVE THE DATE – October 24-25, 2014: We have tentatively scheduled another exciting BCC Symposium: A Feast for the Eyes: Gastronomy in Print.