Peter and Donna Thomas Book Arts Ephemera Collection

Collection

Identifier: MsC1264

Staff Only
No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of mid 20th- to early 21st-century book arts ephemera primarily pertaining to papermaking and miniature books. It is divided into three series: GENERAL EPHEMERA, MINIATURE BOOKS, and OVERSIZE. Within each series are sub-series based on material type, including but not limited to artworks, catalogs, events, exhibits, journals, newsletters, and pamphlets. Originally part of the Peter and Donna Thomas Fine Press Collection, the materials were pulled for use in this collection.

Dates

Creation: 1972 - 2015

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright status for collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections & Archives as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/.

Biographical / Historical

Peter and Donna Thomas are papermakers, book artists, and authors that have been actively involved in the world of paper for over thirty years. As prominent artists and bookmakers, they are known throughout the world for their informative books, imaginative and beautifully crafted works. The Thomases started out in printing, starting their own press in 1977, wanting to print in a traditional way with the hightest quality of materials. In the 1980s, they turned their attention to exploring non-traditional book structures and shaped book objects as one of a kind books or limited addition. Finally, in the 1990s they focused their time and energy on documenting the history of handmade papermaking, the handmade papermaking industry, and the techniques used to make paper. The Thomases were heavily involved in various scholarly endeavours that has helped shape their knowledge of papermaking and help define and grow their vast collection of quality/valuable materials relating to papermaking.