The Hand Bookbinders of California 
29th Annual Members Exhibition 
November 6 - December 24, 2001 

Returning to historical roots, the Hand Bookbinders of California held its 29th Annual Exhibition in a bookstore in downtown San Francisco. Members of long standing will recall that in the early days of Hand Bookbinders (founded 29 years ago), the club exhibited in the windows of John Howell Books near Union Square. After proprietor Warren Howell passed on, the exhibitions were held at the San Francisco Public Library. (The 30th Annual Exhibition will return to the San Francisco Public Library.)

However, this time, on November 6th at 6pm, a glittering crowd gathered at Tom Goldwasser Rare Books (486 Geary St, San Francisco) for the opening of the exhibit. Books from as far away as Syracuse, New York, were displayed in glass cases in the store windows and in a case along the shop wall. To enhance the book display, as well as to grace the walls, Margaret Johnson loaned a framed poster of the "The Great Omar," the historic binding which went down with the Titanic, and Judy Houghteling loaned three framed marbled papers: Hikmet Barutcugil of Istanbul, Eva van Breugel of the Netherlands, and Tom Leese of Colorado. The books dazzled, the lights sparkled, and the shop looked elegant and inviting. Mrs. Goldwasser prepared a delectable and exquisite feast of her native Moroccan food - beautiful Moroccan ceramic dishes holding all manner of delicious goodies.