Student’s Thesis and Exhibit Focuses on Prolific Typographer Frederic Goudy

Howdy Goudy: Frederic W. Goudy and the Private Press in the Midwest, is an exhibit curated by Ball State senior Amy E. Duncan. It opened with a reception in the University Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections on April 15, 2008.

Amy was inspired to research Goudy as her Honors thesis project after taking Dr. Frank A. Felsenstein’s Honors College colloquium, From Gutenberg to Ben Franklin: the Impact of the Handpress.

Dr. Felsenstein always takes students in his class to the Archives and Special Collections at Bracken Library to view historical items housed there, such as books by William Morris, the Gutenberg Bible, and other examples of fine printing.

The exhibit focuses mainly on Goudy and includes three other Midwestern printers: Bruce Rogers, Edwin and Robert Grabhorn. Although all four eventually moved away, they all learned their trade and got their start here, all showing the influence of the Midwest in the Private Press Movement.

“I became interested in Goudy because he was a typographer, printer, and designer and since I plan to work in newspaper design, typography is very important to me,” Amy said.

She researched everything related to Goudy in the Archives and Special Collections at Bracken Library where there is a unique collection of original typographic drawings, designs, and manuscript material that came from Goudy.

“Amy Duncan’s study of Goudy and the Private Press Movement in the Midwest is a fine example of Ball State’s emphasis on the value of immersive learning,” said Dr. Felsenstein.

“The Goudy Collection is just one of the many rich resources available in the University Libraries to inspire student inquiry and academic success,” adds John Straw, Assistant Dean for Digital Initiatives and Special Collections.