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Black Rock Press Records

 Collection
Identifier: AC 0436
Records of the Black Rock Press at the University of Nevada, Reno, include correspondence, production and publication records, and related materials of Black Rock Press publications; university related announcements, programs and other printed material; teaching materials; photographs; and a variety of personal and earlier printed material done at the University of California, Berkeley by the founder of the press, Ken Carpenter.

Dates

  • 1954-2017

Creator

Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Extent

23 Cubic Feet (22 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Records of the Black Rock Press at the University of Nevada, Reno, include correspondence, production and publication records, and related materials of Black Rock Press publications; university related announcements, programs and other printed material; teaching materials; photographs; and a variety of personal and earlier printed material done at the University of California, Berkeley by the founder of the press, Ken Carpenter.

Administrative History

The Black Rock Press, named after an Applegate Trail landmark in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada, was founded in 1964 in Reno, Nevada, by Kenneth and Patricia Carpenter and dedicated to the practice and teaching of the arts and crafts associated with the creation of finely printed books. In 197 1 the Carpenters donated their 1837 super-royal Columbian hand press to the University of Nevada Library. Two other 19th century presses, a Washington and an Albion, were later added. In 1975, Carpenter began teaching classes in the practice and history of printing. Through its instructional programs the press introduces students to the graphic arts techniques and intellectual disciplines involved with the creation of books and related materials. Through the press's program of publishing books, broadsides and portfolios, it seeks to create literary and artistic works of high merit in well-designed and crafted limited and medium-size editions. Most of the work is done at the press itself, using both traditional and contemporary craft methods.

Arrangement

Arranged by type of record or subject in a single series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records were transferred from the Black Rock Press July 11, 2003. Framed engraving of Morrill Hall (November 2000) by Zoltan January transferred from ACU2013-40 in January 2013.

Related Collections

Dial Club, University of Nevada, Reno, Records AC 385 Carpenter, Kenneth J., Papers, 1965- 1975 AC 14

Separated Materials

Photographs transferred to Photo Archives as UNRA-P3650.

Subjects

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
A Guide to the Black Rock Press Records
Status
under_revision
Author
Jim Bantin
Date
Circa 2004
Description rules
dacs

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. University Archives Repository

https://library.unr.edu/SpeColl
Contact:
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno NV 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)