Dinner Program | Anton Roman, The Pioneering Bookseller and Publisher of the American West | John Crichton

John Crichton will share with us the story of Anton Roman and his Midas touch. Coming to California from Bavaria in 1849, Roman found gold and traded that success to become one of the most prosperous booksellers in the American West. Soon he was one of its most distinguished publishers, releasing the early works of Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and many others who migrated to California during its formative years. Through his publications Roman promoted the resources and culture of California, taking its story East and romanticizing and mythologizing the Golden State in America’s imagination. John has his own Golden State bookshop, The Brick Row Book Shop in San Francisco, and is Chair of the Board of Directors of Rare Book School. He has been the president of the Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association of America and the Book Club of California and vice president of the Bibliographical Society of America.

March Dinner: Union League Club, 65 West Jackson. The evening will follow this order: Social gathering 5-6 pm; program at 6 pm; dinner immediately to follow. Program is free and open to the public. Beverages available for $6-$12. Three-course dinner: $63.00. Reservations are required for either the program only or the dinner/program combination. Reservations must be received no later than NOON, Monday, March 18. Payment will be required for dinner reservations cancelled after that time and for no-shows. To reserve call 312-255-3710 or e-mail caxtonclub@newberry.org.