Chicago by the Book – Reimagined

June Evening Program

Materials created for the club’s 120th Anniversary. Left to right: Map showing Caxton Club locations over the years, created by Karen Hanmer for inclusion in her binding; Binding by Sam Feinstein; Binding by Scott Kellar.

Previously, in celebration of the Caxton Club’s 120th Anniversary we had three binders develop bindings for our centenary history The Caxton Club 1895–1995. That effort produced three bindings, one of which included a map to trace our journey.

Now, for our 125th Anniversary, we have asked three binders and three book artists to produce bindings and artists books they feel are fitting to our newest book, Chicago by the Book. Join Martha Chiplis as she leads the artists, Hannah Batsel, Ben Blount, and Jennifer Farrell and binders Lesa Dowd, Sam Ellenport, and Mardy Sears as they discuss their approaches to this project. Be prepared to be surprised. 

To reimagine one must first have the original, so if you do not have this book log on to the University of Chicago Press website. Chicago by the Book: 101 Publications That Shaped the City and Its Image is now on sale for $11 each plus tax and shipping. Be sure to use promo code AD1909. Sale ends June 15, 2021.  

The new bindings and artists books will be auctioned on August 28, 2021 by Potter & Potter Auctions. More information to follow.