This Saturday (June 26th) is the semi-annual SPAN-o Book Fair at the Jack Purcell Community Centre, and this year we’ve decided to take a table to see what we can sell from our selection of private press books and small press golden oldies. Should the experiment fail, it will still be a fun day getting to see what local small presses are creating and keeping in touch with local authors and printers.
Details:
the ottawa small press book fair, spring edition
Time and Place: June 26, 12-5pm. Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lane, Room 203
Web: robmclennan.blogspot.com/2010/03/ottawa-small-press-book-fair-spring.html
Email: az421@freenet.carleton.ca
exhibitors with poetry books, novels, cookbooks, posters, t-shirts, graphic novels, comic books, magazines, scraps of paper, gum-ball machines with poems, 2×4s with text
Have just recently read a number of books from the Porcupine’s Quill spring catalogue, I was very impressed with what they’ve had to offer so far in 2010. The reprinting of James Reaney’s Suit of Nettles, with wonderful accompanying wood engravings by Jim Westergard, was a nice touch after offering up a great selection of Reaney’s work as part of the Essential Poets Series last fall.
Joyce Wieland’s Writings and Drawings provided an eclectic mixture of drawings, journal entries, poetry and other writings that span nearly two decades. This book was admittedly a fun and interesting introduction to a rather quirky artist/writer with whom I was not previously familiar.
This spring also brought the 3rd installment of PQ’s Graphic Novel Series, Megan Speers’ Wanderlust. A wordless novel in the tradition on Lynd Ward, Frans Masereel, & co., Wanderlust follows a teenage girl’s punk life-style through the summer days of booze, bands, boys and the occasional bit of dumpster diving. A well laid out visual tale leaving the reader with a number of memorable engravings of anarchy and bliss.
Finally, I also greatly enjoyed the Spring/Summer issue of the Devil’s Artisan which was dedication to Jim Rimmer who sadly passed away earlier this year. The issue contains an excellent series of essays on Rimmer’s amazing career and the impact he had on his fellow printers, not to mention Canadian type and book design in general. The issue also contains an extensive checklist of his books (both authored and personally printed) as well as specimens of the many type faces he design over the years. A must have for fans of Rimmers work or those interested in Canadian type design.
With those titles now off the “to read” pile, I’m ready to see what the fall selection from the Porcupine’s Quill will bring.
Was sent this link by a fellow Ottawa Press Gang member to Harrington and Squires, who’s letterpress shop (known as The Corridor) is but a mere 288 picas (1.2m). From their unique little 3 storey shop they produce a wide variety of letterpress books, calendars, cards and “by-products” as well as teach the art of letterpress to those enthusiastic enough to overcome any claustrophobic inhibitions.
Elgin Street Parent Council is hosting its third Annual Book Sale and Silent Auction.
Thursday June 10, 3PM to 8PM
Friday June 11, 3PM to 8PM
Saturday June 12, 9AM to 3PM
Sunday June 13, 10AM to 3PM
310 Elgin Street, Ottawa, (Elgin at Gilmour)
Hard and soft cover books, children’s books, non-fiction, and more. All proceeds go to arts and recreation programs for Elgin students.
Information: contactelgincouncil@googlegroups.com
We just received a few copies of the lavishly illustrated book, The Star Weekly at War, highlighting the best of the Toronto Star war art covers and articles from the Second World War years. A truly amazing compilation of wartime artwork from the Star pulled together and skillfully selected by a local Ottawa collector. Here is just a small sample of what can be found in the nearly 250pgs of high quality reproductions inside.
We also picked up a couple more copies of Thistle Xpress’ previous book, Ottawa: The Golden Years, which is an illustrated history of Ottawa’s Victorian Years through the Second World War, as seen through decades of ephemera found and cherished by a local collector. Inside you will find 385 pages containing over 2100 reproduced illustrations of stamps, postcards, currency, advertising, music sheets, tobacco cards, books, magazine covers and more. Again, here are a few samples from this beautiful collection of reproduced Ottawa epherema.
Either book can be purchased directly from us for $80.00 (just send me an e-mail) or can be found at our booth in the Ottawa Antique Market (1187 Bank St.).
An interesting article, discussing a study recently published in the journal Research in Social Stratification and Mobility which discovered a correlation between simply having books around the house and how many years of schooling a child will likely complete. The study found that children in homes of 500+ books had the greatest advantage and even children in homes with a couple dozen books completed on average two years more schooling that kids from a home without books (are there truly such things?!).
With about 7000 books kicking around the house at any given time, by my calculations our little Emma is in for a lot of schooling (good-bye early retirement!).
Another great Ottawa book sale coming up this weekend!
June 4-5, Devonshire will be holding its 24th annual book sale. Thousands of gently used books will be on offer; well organized and at bargain prices. The doors open on Friday at 3:30, and along with the books, there will be a silent auction, bake sale table and BBQ. Saturday morning, from 9am to 12pm, will be the book sale only. Devonshire Public School is located at 100 Breezehill Ave. N. (between Somerset and Gladstone, just west of Preston) in Hintonburg.
I posted about this great exhibition a few weeks ago and following up on a very successful opening May 6th, Exposure Gallery will be hosting a roundtable discussion of the Rare Book Series. Exposure Gallery’s curator, Carrie Colton, will lead the discussion about the origins of the Rare Book Series and Chrystia Mycyk will be in attendance to answer questions. Seating is limited, so RSVP quick!
Mycyk’s Rare Book Series: A Discussion!
Thursday, May 27th, 2010.
7 – 8PM.
Please RSVP at sterling.lynch@exposuregallery.info or 613-608-3096.
2nd Really Big Book Sale
June 05, 2010
Lester B Pearson Catholic High School, 2072 Jasmine Crescent, Gloucester
Hundreds of gently used books, CDs and DVDs will be for sale at the One Boy One Van Foundation’s annual fundraiser. Event proceeds will benefit special needs children in the Eastern Ontario region.
More info: www.oneboyonevan.ca
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