L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, ©1985, illustrated and designed by Barry Moser

The library’s Special Collections and Archives department acquires and preserves fine printing collections, such as letterpress, limited edition, first edition, and other fine printed books, primarily from book artists in California.

The department also collects books on printing, marbling, papermaking, binding, and other aspects of book arts.

We assist students, faculty and other researchers; provide access to our book arts collections; and assist and teach classes in book production and design. We also promote the preservation and study of the book as a physical object as an integral part of California’s cultural heritage.

Artists’ Books

Bon Bon Mots: A Fine Assortment of Books, by Julie Chen

Special Collections and Archives began collecting artists’ books in earnest during the 1970s and has since accumulated over 700 artist’s books. The collection reflects artists’ books from many sources, including individual California artists and established presses and publishers.

Special Collections and Archives assists students, faculty and other researchers by providing access to the artists’ books, offering book arts presentations, and highlighting presses and artists from the collection. The department’s goal is to promote the preservation and study of the book as a physical artistic object.

Spanish landscapes

• Susan Allix
• London: [s.n.], 1994.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Copy no. 1 in an edition of 14 signed copies
• Call Number: N7433.4.A45 S6 1994

Bon bon mots: a fine assortment of books

• Julie Chen
• Berkeley, California: Flying Fish Press, 1998.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: N7433.4.C44 B66 1998

Call Number N7433.4.C44 W67 1999 (Spec Coll) Title World without end / by Julie Chen. Author Chen, Julie.

World without end

• Berkeley: Flying Fish Press, 1999.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: N7433.4.C44 W67 1999
• HONOR WITH BOOKS: In memory of Byra J. Wreden, 1915-2000.

Anansi Company

• Ronald King & Roy Fisher
• London: Circle Press, 1992.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: N7433.4.K48 A66 1992

 

Girls I have known

• Lise Melhorn-Boe
• North Bay, Ontario : Transformer Press, 2002.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: N7433.4.M45 G47 2002

I know an old lady

• Neven Samara, Cal Poly Alumnus
• San Luis Obispo, California: Open Cage Books, 2006
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: N7433.4.S26 I3 2006

We are happy to serve you

• Miriam Schaer
• Brooklyn, NY: Miriam Schaer, 1996.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: N7433.4.S32 W3 1996

Skinny this

• Jocelyn Webb, Cal Poly Alumnus
• Iowa City, Iowa: Sierras Press, c1999.
• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library
• Call Number: PS3573.E19552 S55 1999

Photos by student Prem Ananda. Courtesy of Special Collections and Archives.