Fine Print Periodicals

Fine Print: The Review for the Arts of the Book was a quarterly publication that covered subjects like letterpress printing, bookbinding, calligraphy, hand made paper, small presses, and artists' books both nationally and internationally. The Review started in 1975 as a newsletter, founded, edited, and published by Sandra Kirshenbaum and headquartered in San Francisco, CA. The goal, as stated in Volume 1, Number 1, was to reach the "significant numbers of people in America interested in creating fine books and related forms as an artistic expression." These people included booksellers, artists, librarians, and collectors.

Each issue has a unique cover "which served to enhance the periodical’s attraction, to provide a forum for guest designers and printers, and to serve as an example of a journal devoted to the arts of the book. With the October 1979 issue, separate covers were introduced, each designed by a different person who might be a calligrapher, a printer, a type designer, or a practitioner of such other crafts" (Raben D. Harlan, Parenthesis). Other sections included in most issues: letters to the editor, reviews (of catalogues, monographs, materials, books, exhibitions), in-depth features, calendar of events, and classifieds. Some issues have a further insert titled Fine Print 2 advertising more classifieds, events, notices, classes, and workshops. These inserts are noted in the record of the issues in which they appear in this finding aid.

The founder, Sandra Kirshenbaum, was the editor and publisher of Fine Print in addition to writing many of the features in the magazine. She was also a lecturer, scholar, and advocate to the book arts community.

The papers and oral history transcripts relating to Fine Print are held by The Bancroft Library of the University of California at Berkeley.