The Book Club of California Invites Its Members & Their Friends to a Series of Three Lectures by Dr. Alexander Meiklejohn; Temple Emanu-El, Arguello & Lake Streets, San Francisco, Free to Members and their Friends and the Public
San Francisco: John Henry Nash for The Book Club of California, [1927]. Nash, John Henry. No binding. Folio, single leaf folded once to form [4] pp. Near fine. Item #CNBR245
Dr. Alexander Meiklejohn (1872-1964) was an advocate of free speech and higher education based on the idea of a self-governing community, with advisors teaching through tutorials instead of lectures, and with an emphasis on the "great books"; he opened the "Experimental College" at the University of Wisconsin in 1927. Unfortunately, the experiment failed, with the students developing a reputation for "radicalism and wanton anarchy" (perhaps an idea ahead of its time?), resulting in the closing of the College in 1932.
This scarce BCC broadside, printed by John Henry Nash, announces three lectures to be given by him: "The Evolution of Spirit," "The College and the Community," and "The Poetry of James Stephens." Undated, but we believe it was printed in 1927 based on a mention in the BCC 100 of the first lecture Dr. Meiklejohn gave: "In 1925, under the auspices of the Club but not connected with any planned series, Dr. Alexander Meiklejohn spoke at the Palace Hotel on 'Democracy and Excellence' " (cf p. xiv, BCC 100). The broadside states "Dr. Meiklejohn's lecture before the members two years ago was so favorably received, and so many expressed a desire to hear the speaker again, that the Club takes special pleasure in announcing this new series of lectures." A quick look at the calendar for 1927 confirms that July 27, August 3, and August 10 did all fall on a Wednesday, as the broadside states. Not listed in either O'Day or the BCC 100; seemingly scarce with none currently in the marketplace, and a search of OCLC locating one copy, at Cal.
___DESCRIPTION: A single leaf folded once to four pp., the announcement on the lecture series on the first page in black and red, surrounded by a red ruled border, two inside pages blank, on the final page "The Book Club of California wishes to express its appreciation to the trustees of the Temple Emanu-El for the use of its beautiful building for these lectures" and, beneath, "San Francisco: John Henry Nash, Printer"; folio size measuring 12" by 8.5".
___CONDITION: This delicate broadside could almost be called fine; the paper is clean, the inks bright, it is free of soil and edgewear other than a single, short closed tear to the top margin of the first page; some light age-toning, else fine.
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Price: $200.00