The Real McCoy

An exhibit at the Princeton University Library highlights the revival of fine printing in early 20th century America and its champion, Elmer Adler, founder of Pynson Printers, a New York publishing company.

By: Susan Van Dongen
   In an era of multi-tasking, fast food and even faster technology, it might be hard to imagine the painstaking care once dedicated to creating fine books. Books were appreciated for their visual aesthetics as well as the writing. Some Victorian-era books were true things of beauty, with elaborately crafted inlaid mother-of-pearl covers and colorful bindings decorated with gold leaf.
   Bibliophiles will be pleased to know the Milberg Gallery of Princeton University’s Firestone Library is showcasing an exceptional collection of fine examples in printing, typography, binding, papermaking, calligraphy and illustration.

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A lithograph poster by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, part of For the Love of Books and Prints: Elmer Adler and the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University Library, on view through Oct. 7.

   For the Love of Books and Prints: Elmer Adler and the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University Library is on display through Oct. 7. The exhibit focuses on the revival of fine printing in early 20th century America, which Mr. Adler championed. In addition, the gallery has many treasures brought to Princeton when Mr. Adler came to teach in the 1940s. He was the collection’s first curator.
   "The idea of this exhibition came from the members of the class of 1951, who actually knew Mr. Adler," says Rebecca Davidson, curator of the graphic arts collection and co-curator of the Elmer Adler exhibit. "We were glad to do it. It gave us the opportunity to show off some of the many prints and books Mr. Adler bought and gave to (the university)."
   One of the most valuable items is an original lithograph poster by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, designed in 1893 as the cover for L’estampe originale, a journal of art works by his contemporaries.
   There’s no indication that this collection of lithographs was bound, and the poster even has a crease where it would have been folded in half to hold the works of art. Jane Avril, the famous Moulin Rouge dancer who was Toulouse-Lautrec’s favorite model, is portrayed reading pensively as an elderly master printer works the presses in the background.

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Elmer Adler (second from left) conducting one of his seminars on prints and rare books for undergraduates at 40 Mercer Street, first home of the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton (c.1942).

Photo courtesy of Graphic Arts Collection

   "It’s strange for us to think of a Toulouse-Lautrec as a protective cover for something else," Ms. Davidson says.
   The collection also displays the elegantly illustrated edition of the Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, printed by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press in 1896. Some of the oldest pieces include the illuminated title page from the Nuremberg Chronicle and two hand-colored "leaves" from a medieval block book Bible.
   "In the early days of printing there was no movable type, so not only was the image cut into the woodblock, but each letter was also carved," Ms. Davidson says. "It was an incredibly painstaking and time-consuming process."
   Mr. Adler came to Princeton University in 1940, where he conducted seminars in book and print collecting for undergraduates. He brought some of the most famous printmakers, typographers, book designers and photographers to speak to his classes and initiated an unusual program for students to borrow fine prints to adorn their dormitory walls. He also, of course, created the graphic arts collection.
   Mr. Adler founded Pynson Printers in New York. The company’s first book was published in 1903, a collection of poetry by Willa Cather titled April Twilights. He encouraged artists like Thomas Maitland Cleveland and Rockwell Kent, and produced fine books, drawings, prints and commercial works, but apparently never turned a profit from his enterprises. In addition, Mr. Adler went on to publish The Colophon: A Book Collector’s Quarterly.

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Above, a logo for Pynson Printers, a New York publishing company founded by Elmer Adler.

   For the Love of Books and Prints also examines Mr. Adler’s early life, when he divided his time between collecting and working for Adler-Rochester, his father’s clothing business in Rochester, N.Y.
   "The story goes that his father took a dim view of his collecting books and prints," Ms. Davidson says.
   That is, until the younger Mr. Adler bought the first American edition of Charles Lamb’s farce Mr. H for 10 cents at a local shop and sold it soon after for $300. This got the elder Adler’s attention and won his approval.
   "He came from a well-off family, and a lot of his own money went into his printing work and collections," Ms. Davidson says.
   At Princeton, Mr. Adler strove to collect items that would instruct students about the history of the book. He also wanted to generate excitement about his subject and poured a lot of his personal fortune into his collection.
   "Not too many people know we’re here," says Ms. Davidson, referring to the graphic arts collection. "We want to encourage people to take advantage of the opportunities to see our exhibits on the history of the book and printing, and to attend some of the lectures and demonstrations we are planning in the coming year.
   "Even with e-books and a wealth of information available through the Internet, people still want to read and handle ‘the real thing.’ In fact, my experience is that they’re even more interested in beautiful, well-made books today than ever."
For the Love of Books and Prints: Elmer Adler and the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University Library, is at the Milberg Gallery, second floor of the Firestone Library, Washington Avenue and Nassau Street, Princeton, through Oct. 7. Free admission. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. Ms. Davidson will lead a special tour of the gallery Aug. 12 at 3 p.m. For information, call (609) 258-5049.