Dear friends

Dear friends,

After nearly 1.5 years of searching in Tucson we have finally uncovered a superb location and the perfect headquarters for the ASBC&D.

The main house is a classic Tucson ranch in the central part of town--designed by Swiss architect, Josias Joesler. This historic house is really quite convenient to the University and all of the downtown activities.

The contemporary house "out back" will include our publications office, archives and a two-story public gallery space--of course, this will be the "nerve center" for American bookplate activities! Both of these buildings are in need of repair/remodeling, but nothing will bring me greater pleasure. Just 25 years ago the Center for Creative Photography started as a simple office near the University of Arizona--now it is located on the UofA campus and maintains a world class collection of photography. By the way, the UofA maintains a bookplate collection and enjoys membership with our association!

We will continue to publish books on the subject, sponsor/coordinate travelling exhibitions and provide a research center for ex libris enthusiasts. I will continue on my mission to activate regional groups of our society along with annual meetings--this will help to bring our members together and increase our numbers. Our large travelling exhibition of contemporary works is still on the road and will be "spreading the word" throughout the Southeastern United States this year and next.

We had a successful New England chapter meeting in Boston last month that turned out to be 7-hour social gathering where members met for the first time and exchanged ex libris--like a mini-congress. Members from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. were in attendance. I am planning a group conference during the summer in Portland, Oregon and yet another meeting in Washington, D.C. in late October. In Washington we will visit the Library of Congress and see the ASBC&D's "lost" bookplate collection.

On a somewhat grander scale, along with Selva Hernandez Lopez & Mexican bookplate group, we have organized the first Interamerican Ex Libris Congress to be presented in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico (heaven on earth). This will be held at the delightful Hotel Rancho Atascadero (very, very affordable rates) in San Miguel during the last week of February in 2009--a perfect mid-winter break for most North Americans. They boast delightful grounds, with fountains, gardens, conference room, exhibition hall. The major exhibition will be presented at the Instituto Allende--a world renowned fine arts institute in "town" This will include "how-to" demonstrations, lectures, workshops. We expect participation from bookplate enthusiasts from throughout the Americas and Europe. Many artists/collectors from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Canada, USA will be in attendance--an absolute first! The program is forthcoming... Flight arrangements, accommodations, tours, etc. By international standards--all quite reasonably priced! Please write for details.