Ampersand Club (Minneapolis, Minn.).

The Ampersand club was formed in November 1930 on the initiative of Frank K. Walton and Arnett L. Leslie for the purpose of bringing together informally men interested in all phases of the book and the book arts. For its first several years of existence, the club was known only as "The Unnamed Book Club." It was not until 1935 that the name Ampersand Club was adopted at the suggestion of writer and Saturday Review of Literature editor Christopher Morley.

Membership in the club was initially limited to 16 men but was soon increased to 35. Members included printers, publishers, typographers, artists, booksellers, educators, librarians, book collectors, and others interested in aspects of the book arts and book trade. The structure established for the organization was simple, with a secretary as its only officer and no dues required. Meetings featured papers or talks by members or visitors concerning bookish or typographical specialities and visits to public and private libraries, typographical exhibits, printing and publishing houses, and bookstores. The group remained all male until sometime in the 1980s. By 1989 the membership rolls listed over 100 men and women.

Historical information was taken from the collection.

From the guide to the Club records., 1931-1998 (bulk 1931-1950)., (Minnesota Historical Society)