David R. Godine
Encyclopedia
David R. Godine is the founder and president of David R. Godine, Inc.
, a small publishing house located in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is independent and its list tends to reflect the individual (sometimes quirky) tastes of its president.
After receiving degrees at Roxbury Latin School
, Dartmouth College
, and Harvard University
, David Godine worked for Leonard Baskin
, the renowned typographer and printmaker, and Harold McGrath, his master printer. David Godine opened a printing shop in 1970 in a deserted barn in Brookline, Massachusetts
. His first books, printed on his own presses, were nearly all letterpress, limited editions printed on high-quality rag or handmade paper.
On July 1, 2002, John Martin
, the founder and for thirty-six years the publisher of Black Sparrow Press, retired from publishing. After finding new homes for four of his more major authors — Charles Bukowski
, Paul Bowles
, John Fante
, and Wyndham Lewis
— Martin sold the rest of his backlist to a fellow publisher, David R. Godine. The agreement was simple and honest: David would keep Black Sparrow's offerings available to the public, keep the best-selling titles reprinted, and keep the Black Sparrow's spirit alive through acquisitions that reflect the ideals of its founder. In short, Black Sparrow Press has become an imprint at David R. Godine as Black Sparrow Books
. He produces 20 to 30 titles a year. He also sells Isaac Babel
. In 1980, the company initiated its children's program.
David R. Godine, Publisher
David R. Godine, Publisher is an American book publishing company, founded in 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts by David R. Godine. Many of the early titles were fine letterpress editions, using a 40" Kelly-3 flatbed reciprocating letterpress with three form rollers. The company has since grown to...
, a small publishing house located in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is independent and its list tends to reflect the individual (sometimes quirky) tastes of its president.
After receiving degrees at Roxbury Latin School
Roxbury Latin School
The Roxbury Latin School is the oldest school in continuous operation in North America. The school was founded in Roxbury, Massachusetts by the Rev. John Eliot under a charter received from King Charles I of England. Since its founding in 1645, it has educated boys on a continuous basis.Located...
, Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, David Godine worked for Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin
Leonard Baskin was an American sculptor, book-illustrator, wood-engraver, printmaker, graphic artist, writer and teacher.-Life and work:...
, the renowned typographer and printmaker, and Harold McGrath, his master printer. David Godine opened a printing shop in 1970 in a deserted barn in Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
. His first books, printed on his own presses, were nearly all letterpress, limited editions printed on high-quality rag or handmade paper.
On July 1, 2002, John Martin
John Martin (publisher)
John Martin was the founder of Black Sparrow Press. He was in the book business for 36 years, retiring in 2002. He is most noted for helping to launch the literary career of Charles Bukowski and re-publishing the catalog of John Fante. He sold 650 titles annually, with more than $1 million in...
, the founder and for thirty-six years the publisher of Black Sparrow Press, retired from publishing. After finding new homes for four of his more major authors — Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski
Henry Charles Bukowski was an American poet, novelist and short story writer. His writing was influenced by the social, cultural and economic ambience of his home city of Los Angeles...
, Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles
Paul Frederic Bowles was an American expatriate composer, author, and translator.Following a cultured middle-class upbringing in New York City, during which he displayed a talent for music and writing, Bowles pursued his education at the University of Virginia before making various trips to Paris...
, John Fante
John Fante
John Fante was an American novelist, short story writer and screenwriter of Italian descent. He is perhaps best known for his work, Ask the Dust, a semi-autobiograpical novel about life in and around Los Angeles, California, which was the third in a series of four novels, published between 1938...
, and Wyndham Lewis
Wyndham Lewis
Percy Wyndham Lewis was an English painter and author . He was a co-founder of the Vorticist movement in art, and edited the literary magazine of the Vorticists, BLAST...
— Martin sold the rest of his backlist to a fellow publisher, David R. Godine. The agreement was simple and honest: David would keep Black Sparrow's offerings available to the public, keep the best-selling titles reprinted, and keep the Black Sparrow's spirit alive through acquisitions that reflect the ideals of its founder. In short, Black Sparrow Press has become an imprint at David R. Godine as Black Sparrow Books
Black Sparrow Books
Black Sparrow Books, formerly known as Black Sparrow Press, is a book publisher originally founded in 1966 by John Martin of Santa Rosa, California. He founded this company in order to publish the works of Charles Bukowski and other avant-garde authors. He initially financed this company by...
. He produces 20 to 30 titles a year. He also sells Isaac Babel
Isaac Babel
Isaak Emmanuilovich Babel was a Russian language journalist, playwright, literary translator, and short story writer. He is best known as the author of Red Cavalry, Story of My Dovecote, and Tales of Odessa, all of which are considered masterpieces of Russian literature...
. In 1980, the company initiated its children's program.