Rauner Special Collections Finding Aids

Introduction

The Dartmouth College Library purchased the Bromer Booksellers Publishing Records (1977-1991) in July of 2000, from Anne and David Bromer of Boston. The records had previously been on deposit in the Library's Special Collections. Respected book dealers for many years, the Bromers branched out into publishing in the mid-1970's, focussing on the art of publishing miniature books.

The first miniature book published by the Bromers, Butterfly's Ball and Grasshopper's Feast, by William Roscoe, was a huge success, and over the years, Anne and David Bromer have issued numerous other miniature books. Each edition is limited, and is issued in a regular and a deluxe copy. Authors as diverse as Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Mark Twain and Edward Gorey have been featured. Several examples of fine printing in the form of holiday greetings are also included.

Only one exception to the miniature books is included in the collection, The Mystique of Vellum, published in 1984. Limited to 225 copies printed on paper and 13 copies printed on parchment, the book elicited mixed reactions from reviewers and clients. The story of the design, printing and binding of the book is well documented in the collection, along with copious information about printing on vellum.

The Bromer Booksellers Publishing Records occupies 7 boxes, or approximately 10.0 linear feet of shelf space. The materials consist of catalogues, correspondence, woodblocks, samples of paper, cloth and leather for bindings, dummy books, galley and page proofs, texts of manuscripts, illustrations, pamphlets, photographs and negatives, extra sheets of pages, articles, and many other items. Type, originally included, was gratefully accepted by the Book Arts Workshop in Baker Library. Many examples of fine printing from such presses as Henry Morris' Bird and Bull Press, the original Ashendene handpress at the Bridwell Library of Southern Methodist University, the Firefly, Rara Avis and Chamberlain Presses, and the renowned Stinehour Press, are included in this collection.

No restrictions have been placed on the use of any of the materials in the collection; copyright regulations will be followed. Further information concerning the Bromer Booksellers publications may be found in Special Collections in Webster Hall.

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