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Title: Albert M. Bender Collection
Dates: 1874- 1947
Collection Number: ARC 528
Creator/Collector:
Albert M. Bender
Extent: 67 items, 5 boxes, 3 cubic ft.
Repository:
Monterey Public Library
Monterey, California 93940
Abstract: Albert M. Bender was an insurance broker, patron of the arts, and trustee of Mills College. He had friends of distinguished
reputation throughout California and throughout the world. In the allied field of fine printing, his influence has been at
least equally wide. His desire to share with others his enthusiasm for the masterpieces of book production has led him to
establish four collections of fine printing in the bay region; at Stanford University, the University of California, Mills
College, and the San Francisco Public Library.
John Henry Nash was a distinguished fine book printer who immigrated to the United States from Canada after mastering book
printing. He established his fine book press in Carmel, Livermore, and later San Francisco.
Language of Material: English
By appointment only; Contact Local History Librarian or designated staff.
Reproduction by Local History Librarian or designated staff; may be restricted due to condition of material.
[Identification of item]. Albert M. Bender Collection. Collection Number: ARC 528. Monterey Public Library
[On long-term loan from the Monterey History and Art
Association.]
Biography/Administrative History
George Sterling (1869-1926), American poet, came to San Francisco in 1890 to work for his uncle in real estate. A promising
young poet, he met and was befriended by Jack London, Joaquin Miller, Mary Austin, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ambrose Bierce,
who became his mentor. In 1905, Sterling and his wife moved to Carmel, where he became one of the integral figures in the
bohemian colony of artist and writers there until 1913. His diaries on life in Carmel in that period are in the Bancroft Library.
Charles Warren Stoddard (1853-1909), American poet and travel writer, came to San Francisco in 1855 with his family. He published
his first poem in 1861 and his first collection of poetry in 1867 in an edition edited by Bret Harte. Stoddard, a convert
to Catholicism, subsequently taught English and literature at Catholic universities and traveled extensively. His books on
the South Seas and Hawaii etablished his literary reputation as much if not more than his poetry. He returned to California
in 1905 to write a series of articles on the missions. He soon settled in Monterey for the duration of his life.
John Henry Nash (1871-1947), American painter and bibliophile, b. Woodbridge, Canada. After learning the printer's trade,
he emigrated to the United States in 1894. He eventually became professor of typography at the Univ. of Oregon. Nash published
finely crafted editions of several works, including the The Divine Comedy (1929) and Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. He
was famous for his collection of books with handmade bindings. Nash's press was located at various times in Carmel, Livermore,
and San Francisco, California.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains: Folios, bound volumes, handwritten letters (of note, those written by John Cook), a notebook Impromptu
handwritten by Charles Warren Stoddard, photographs, poems, a newspaper article, reproduction paintings, and posters.
Fine Printing
Bender, Albert M.
Cook, John
Stoddard, Charles Warren
Sterling, George
Bender
Monterey Peninsula
San Francisco
Hawaii
Prints
Portrait
Poster
Folio
Book
Poem
Bibliography