Notice of Annual General Meeting – invitation, The Alcuin Society, Wil Hudson, 1966

In the fall of 1965, a small group gathered informally to discuss the possibility of creating a book society in Vancouver. From that modest beginning, the Alcuin Society was formed. One year later, they rented space at the Arts Club on Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver.

In his memoir of the Society’s early years, founder Geoffrey Spencer recalled how it began: “It would be nice to say that the Society arose out of an act of spontaneous artistic combustion, a font of book lovers clamouring to give expression to a mutually perceived need. In fact it was dreamed up by me as an instrument to try to feed a worthwhile craftsman who did not show any signs of being able to do so himself.”

Unfortunately, the ‘worthwhile craftsman’ – Hudson – proved more difficult to work with than Spencer, or perhaps anyone else, had anticipated. Within a few years, they parted ways.

The Alcuin Society, however, flourished. It now has members from across the country and is the only society in Canada devoted exclusively to the book arts. – Rod McDonald

Artifact Text

The Alcuin Society (set within an ornamental border of fleurons)

Notice of Annual General Meeting

(Fleuron) The Society’s first Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday, October 27th, at The Arts Club of Vancouver, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver 2, B. C., preceded by the serving to Members and Guests from 7:30 to 8:00 p. m. of an Alcuin Punch (Fleuron) The main items of business will include A Display of The Society’s First Book, The Election of Directors, and The President’s Report (Fleuron) Members of The Society will also display a selection of their Most Beautiful Limited Editions.

(Fleuron)

(Fleuron) Following the meeting, Coffee and Refreshments will be served, and the Bar will be open  (Fleuron) Guests sympathetic with the aims of The Society will be welcome.

(Fleuron)

(Signed)
Geoffrey A. Spencer
President