A conference organised jointly by the Printing Historical Society and the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design

4–5 September 2012, Birmingham School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BX

Between the Hall of Memory and Baskerville House in Birmingham stands a sculptural tribute to John Baskerville. On the columns of Portland Stone are reversed bronze letters spelling ‘Virgil’, the Roman poet whose works were printed by Baskerville in 1757 in the famous typeface that bears his name. A poem in praise of the printer appeared in the Aris’s Gazette in 1751, entitled ‘Industry and Genius’ from which the sculpture takes its name.

The contribution made by printers, processes and products to their industry and the wider political and cultural world will be examined in this two day conference organised jointly by the Printing Historical Society and the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.

Papers are invited on any aspect of the ‘industry and genius’ of printing, including trade networks, structure of businesses, relationships with booksellers, publishers and authors, political and cultural significance and technical innovations. Chronologically, papers will be welcomed covering any period. Papers about Birmingham and Midlands printing will be especially encouraged.

Papers should be of up to 30 minutes duration. An abstract (of c.300 words) of the offered paper should be submitted by 31 January 2012, preferably by email, to Francis Cave, Hon. Secretary, Printing Historical Society at secretary@printinghistoricalsociety.org.uk or the following address:

Hon. Secretary, Printing Historical Society, St. Bride Library, St. Bride Institute, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8EE.