Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Book Club of Detroit members in Philly!

The members of the Book Club of Detroit who attended were Barbara Parks, Joan Knoertzer, Mary and John Simpson, Twyla Raz, Cathy Compton and Judith Adelman.
This year the Philobiblon Club of Philadelphia hosted the tour taking us to special collections in their area that were breathtaking in their rarity and beauty.

Manuscripts, illustrations, maps, poster, art, printing, books and ephemera, housed in museums, libraries, university, archives and historical/philosophical societies, were at our fingertips. 53 passionate collectors met more than 53 directors, curators, conservators, archivists, and Philobiblon enthusiasts. Our five days in the City of Brotherly Love was magical.

Chairing the organization of this event was Bruce McKittrick, one of the founders of FABS.  His assistant, Kiley Samz, kept us moving and took care of paperwork/emails. Bruce "brought together" many of his friends to speak, host, and donate parts of the trip. So our special thanks go to the 18 booksellers who set up a wonderful Book Fair and Reception of food, drink and fine books. The Ascensius Press, who graciously supplied the design and print materials for the tour; Palinurus Antiquarian Books, kind host of the Cocktail Reception at the Kislak Center; Bauman Rare Books, the backers of our annual three-hour Saturday Symposium, this year titled "My Life Collecting" held at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; and last, but certainly not least, Bruce McKittrick Rare Books, Inc., who hosted us for a delicious Gala Dinner at the fabulous Philadelphia Club. But, his extra special cherry on top was his surprise speaker, Chief of the Library of Congress Rare Book and Speical Collections Division: Mark Dimunation…known from this tour on, as the :These-Books-Are-Mine! Chief. Yes, we gave this tour a standing ovation. 


Thank you one and all. We will never forget your kindness and generosity. We each grew by leaps and bounds in knowledge and enthusiasm for this wonderful FABS organization, and our hosts the Philobiblon Society who inspired us.


Joan Knoertzer

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