Society often forgets the importance of books and their impact on us all. This discussion will explore the rich and elegant history of book arts. The talk will focus on how developments in printing and books have served to better society as a whole. Participants will witness first hand the process of letterpress printmaking with a miniaturized printing press made for traveling salesmen in the late 1800s. Other materials such as antique books, broadsides and wood type will help demonstrate the beauty, form and function of early book making. Examples will include beautiful hand crafted books and broadsides by Alabama printers.