Berkeley had established its press in 1952, and the shop served several generations of student printers, alternating with periods of disuse. During the late 1990’s, however, the Berkeley Press succumbed to ‘aggressive uninterest’, and was closed without much notification. Intrepid undergraduates from Jonathan Edwards salvaged some material, but the print shop itself was completely disbanded. However, the new Master of Berkely, John Rogers, understands the role that a functioning Press can play in the life of a colelge, and the Berkeley Press is scheduled for a complete re-construction before the end of 2001.

Update

The happenings at the Berkeley Press are potentially the most unexpected good news of the season! Under a previous administration the Berkeley Press, which had been founded in 1952, was disbanded and all the equipment sold, trashed, or scavenged by other college presses. It was with some astonishment, thus, that the HCCP received an unsolicited letter from Professor John Rogers, the newly installed Master of Berkeley, which began "A return of the letterpress in Berkeley would be a magnificent contribution to the college!" It turns out that Master Rogers, and his wife, Associate Master Cornelia Pearsall, are both Yale alumni who have such affection for the college presses that their wedding invitations were produced at the JE Press! Immediately responding to this desire, a supportive Berkeley Fellow has stepped forward with a very generous contribution intended for the Berkeley Press Resurrection, and is further contributing funds for a college prize this year for the best printing done at the Press. What a way to get started! Combined with the extraordinary collection of presses, type, furniture and other equipment from the American Printing cache, the Berkeley Press should be back up and running in time to host its Semi-Centennial Celebration this coming Spring. Stay tuned!