Catalogue of an exhibition of the book arts in Ontario, 1978

This is an early piece from Glenn Goluska who would go on to become one of Canada’s leading typographers and graphic designers. Goluska was first attracted to the work of small and private presses, although in time he proved to be equally inventive, and bold, with corporate design and even university press publications. Throughout his life he maintained both a private press; imprimerie dromadaire and Nightshade Press for more commercial work.

In the 1970s a strong private press movement quietly flourished in downtown Toronto. Many of the individuals involved then are still active today. Coach House Press, founded in 1965 by Stan Bevington, is now one of the most important small literary publishers in the country and also played a major role in the creation of what came to be known as CanLit (Canadian Literature). Will Rueter’s Aliquando Press, after 60 years of creating some of the finest work ever produced in Canada, retired in 2022. Others, such as Robert MacDonald’s Dreadnaught Press and Glenn Goluska’s imprimerie dromadaire, influenced a generation of typographers and printers, large and small. The tradition is carried on by fine printers like Andrew Steeves at Gaspereau Press in Kentville, Nova Scotia, and Jason Dewinetz at Greenboathouse Press in Vernon, British Columbia.

Many of the country’s leading designers, such as Carl Dair, Allan Fleming and Robert R. Reid, to name but a few, maintained their own private press. Whether it was to experiment with type, ink and paper, or for the sheer joy of creating something on their own – without having to deal with clients. – CTA

Artifact Text

Cover;
Reader, Lover of Books, Lover of Heaven ¶ [upper and lowercase Cartier alphabet]
A catalogue based on an exhibition of the book arts in Ontario compiled by David B. Kotin [fleuron] with a checklist of Ontario private presses by Marilyn Rueter and an introduction by Douglas Lochhead [two fleurons] Willowdale [fleuron] North York Public Library 1978.

Excerpt from the preface;
Canadiana Collection Publication no. 1.

On March 1. 1977, the Canadiana Collection of North York Public Library opened in new quarters in the Fairview Area Branch library. To celebrate the occasion an exhibition of the work of people who practice some of the book arts in Ontario was mounted. Over one hundred items were shown, including editions from twenty-eight private presses, bindings and book restorations by seventeen hand bookbinders, and examples of the work of five hand papermakers. This publication is a result of that exhibition.

December, 1977
David B. Kotin
Head, Canadiana Collection, North York Public Library
35 Fairview Mall Drive, Willowdale, Ontario M2J 4S4