The Gathering for our annual chapter Wayzgoose held at the Crooked Crow Press

The Chesapeake Chapter held its annual Wayzgoose and business meeting at the home and press of Chris and Pat Manson, which has turned out to be the norm for the past several years.

Once again Chris produced a wonderful keepsake shown below that all participants could print and add to their collection. Chris produced the woodcut illustration along with handsetting the text in metal type from his extensive collection.

More than 30 chapter members and friends attended resulting in lots of conversations swirling around all things letterpress. It always turns out to be a great opportunity for introducing prospective members to the group.

The 2017 calendar was available for purchase to all of those attending and you could see holiday presents getting check off a number of lists.

As always there was a table set up for chapter letterpress printers and collectors to share new printed work and new finds with the group. Lindsay Schmittle introduced everyone to her current Kickstarter project. Lead Graffiti had a video of the production process for their recent broadside entitled, “Alphabetachaos #1.” Val Lucas included a new line of holiday cards ready for the stores. All in all there probably 25 projects to look over on display.

Josef Beery brought one of his recently finished wood handpresses which he developed in order to do printing demonstrations without having to drag a common press along. The press worked quite well and quite easily and all attendees could print their own copy to get a first-hand feel for how well it printed.

A restaurant volume of food was supplied by everyone and there was a constant flow through the dining room.

The Wayzgoose signaled the end of another very successful year. You can click on “past events” and “member news” here or on the right,

The gathering always starts with lively conversation. Chris Sweterlitsch (left) talks with Eric Delfino and

George Barnum (left) presents his President’s Report.

More of the crowd.

Chris Sweterlitsch, Chapter Secretary, givinghis report.

Casey Smith, Chapter Vice President, pulls a copy of the day’s keepsake, that Chris Manson (hiding behind the printed sheet) created, while Herschel Kanter looks on.

Lindsay Schmittle gives a turn to chapter member Josef Berry’s wooden press while Greg Robison obtains some photographic evidence.

Looking over the resuts of the Josef Berry press.

Lauren Emeritz shows off her handcrarved “ABC” type book recently purchased by Rare Books at the Library of Congress.

Letterpress printer Jim Wilder talks with Chapter Treasurer Jackie Coleburn.

Lindsay Schmittle explains her Kickstarter project.

Ah, the Wayzgoose tradition. Eating and looking through books. It was a good day.

Jim Johnston, Josef Berry and Greg Robison talk at the new work table.

Photographs by Ray Nichols and Chris Sweterlitsch.