Chicago-based bibliophile club.

The Caxton Club was founded in Chicago in January 1895 by fifteen bibliophiles. Its charter says that the intent of the club is “the literary study and promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books and the occasional publishing of books designed to illustrate, promote and encourage these arts.” The new club chose as its namesake, William Caxton (approximately 1422-1491), the first English printer.

Although the founders were wealthy collectors, chiefly businessmen, the membership quickly expanded and came to include many middle-class professionals, academics, and librarians. Although women were occasionally invited to attend or speak, the membership remained all-male until 1973. In its 125th year, it has more than 300 resident and non-resident members of all ages and from a wide variety of fields — business and professional folk, authors, binders, book artists, collectors, conservators, dealers, designers, editors, librarians, publishers, and scholars. Early meetings were held on Saturdays. Since the 1930s, the club has met on the evening of the third Wednesday of each month (with the exception of July and August) for a presentation by a scholar or collector on a subject related to books. Since 1992, the club presents a midday event on the second Friday of each month (except July and August) consisting of an informal illustrated presentation.

The Club’s founders intended that the Caxton Club should publish books on a variety of subjects including Americana, art history, the history of printing, literature, and the book arts. Until the 1970s, these were typically issued in small editions finely printed for a collectors’ market. The club remains committed to publishing, specializing in topics related to the Midwest and to book arts. Its books are now commercially printed and widely distributed, sometimes co-published, but the club remains committed to excellence in design and production. From the earliest years, the club presented exhibitions either in its own rooms or in cooperation with local cultural institutions and libraries, but exhibition catalogues were issued only sporadically.

Starting with preparations for the its centennial in 1895, the club devoted resources to other activities. In addition to its regular meetings, members receive a monthly publication, the Caxtonian. There are joint events with related organizations and frequent field trips. The club is committed to the encouragement of book collecting and the book arts among younger people, and since 2005 it has made annual grants to students in the book arts and bibliography.

For further information, please consult the Caxton Club's website at Caxtonclub.org.