An edition of Caesar published by Aldus Manutius in 1519
An Exhibit of Rare Books

The Department of English and the Okanagan College Library are pleased to present an exhibit of exceptional books from the 20th and 21st centuries, with a few guest appearances from the 15th, 16th and 18th centuries, including important works on the history of typography and printing, as well as stunning examples from contemporary Canadian letterpress printers.

Themes of the Exhibit

As the exhibit is an outgrowth of the Diploma in Writing & Publishing at Okanagan College, the guiding theme of the display is a general survey of typography and printing. The majority of the exhibit is made up of 20th and 21st-century fine press books, including some of the high-points of 20th-century printing, but also included are exemplars ranging from the birth of printing in the late 1400s, through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the books focus on the development of the roman alphabet, including historical texts designed by influential typographers such as Bruce Rogers and Giovanni Mardersteig.

Nicholas Jenson's type of 1470

A secondary theme is focused on a kind of genealogy of type designs, including one of the first roman typefaces ever produced, by Nicholas Jenson in 1470, which would disappear and reappear over the centuries in new revivals and interpretations, such as the famous Doves type of the early 20th century, as well as Bruce Rogers' Montaigne and Centaur types.

Student Work

Caitlin Voth

Much of the content of this site, developed to accompany the book exhibit itself, has been produced by students of the Diploma in Writing & Publishing during the 2011-12 academic year. Each student was paired up with two important printer/publishers, about whom the student was tasked with producing a brief introductory essay. These essays are presented here, along with photographs of the books, so that visitors to the exhibit can log on to one of the Okanagan College Library computers and learn more about the books showcased in the exhibit.

Mackie Lake House

The majority of the photographs were taken at the historic Mackie Lake House in Vernon, BC, and present each student with their assigned books. For more on the shoot, which was a great experience for all of us, please visit the About page.

Exhibit Details

Doves Press

The exhibit will be held at the Okanagan College Library, KLO Campus, from March 26 to the 30th.

On Monday, March 26, we will launch the exhibit with an opening to begin at 7pm, which will include a brief presentation by curator and OC instructor Jason Dewinetz, introducing attendants to the books on display. All of the students involved in the project will also be in attendance, and our hope is that visitors will approach the students with questions and comments, allowing them an opportunity to share their new-found expertise.

Dates:

Monday, March 26 - Friday, March 30
Monday - Thursday, 8am-10pm
Friday, 8am-6pm

Location:

Okanagan College Library
Library Foyer
(2nd floor of the Centre for Learning)
KLO Campus
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC

inquiries, please contact:

Michelle Ward
Kelowna Campus Librarian
(250) 762-5445 ext 4749 email mward@okanagan.bc.ca