San Jose, CA – May 1, 2014 — What is a Wayzgoose, you ask? Some might say a Wayzgoose can be traced to St. Bartholomew’s Day (August 24) when in 1456 a festival marked the completion of the printing of the Gutenberg Bible. It has evolved into a festival demonstrating handmade books, paper, and the printing arts.
For the first time in the South Bay, History Park will host a Printers’ Fair & Wayzgoose on Saturday, May 17 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Sponsored by the San Jose Printers’ Guild, the Wayzgoose Party will celebrate letterpress printing and allied arts.
“This Wayzgoose is a perfect day for all us who are book junkies, typophiles, graphics designers, artists and print enthusiasts,” said Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José. “History Park will be awash in ampersands and dingbats, and I mean that in the best and most complimentary way.”
Members of the San Jose Printers’ Guild, whose Print Shop is headquartered at History Park and an afilliate of History San José, will help visitors print keepsakes on several vintage letterpresses from handset metal type and lead tours of a 1900-era print shop.
“In reaction to the digital age there is a resurgence of interest in the way printing used to be done using metal type and ink pressed into paper,” said Matt Kelsey, event coordinator and a member of the San Jose Printers’ Guild. “The Wayzgoose celebrates letterpress and is an occasion for printers to gather.”
Twenty-five vendors and exhibitors will offer letterpress printed goods, artist books, fine papers, ink, handset type and reference materials. Peter Thomas will demonstrate hand paper-making at his Gypsy Wagon, with his handmade books on display.
The historic trolley will be available for rides throughout the park, food will be offered for purchase, O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor will be open and admission to the park is free on this day.
The 2014 Printers’ Fair and Wayzgoose continues the tradition of the Marin Small Press Fair and, later, the San Francisco Book Arts and Printers’ Fair.