Republic of Texas Indenture. February 10, 1840 Galveston, Texas Samuel Bangs (American, c. 1798–1854), printer. The Printing Museum Collection 2010.000.08
Samuel Bangs (ca. 1798–1854) was the first printer in Texas, west of the Mississippi, and three Mexican states. Trained in New England, he contributed greatly to the cultivation of a printing culture in the region. Documents printed under his oversight tell some of the story of a turbulent slice of history. Bangs faced a seemingly unending catalog of adversity over the years, from a seven-year imprisonment to being cheated out of his lands to being beset by highway robbers. Despite his tribulations, Bangs created technically impressive and lasting work. Several fine examples of his printed specimens are on display in the museum’s Texas Gallery.
More than 30 exhibitors from around the country will bring some of their finer offerings for perusal and purchase. The show includes dealers from California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee and from Madrid, Spain, in addition to dealers from various parts of Texas.
Featured items will include rare and collectible books, illustrated books, artist’s books, fine printing, maps, photographs, prints, postcards and more. A tantalizing range of subjects will be represented with books illustrated by artists from William Blake to Tom Lea; vernacular photo albums to fine art photographs by Edward Curtis; and documents spanning presidential letters to seventeenth-century Mexican decrees. Republic of Texas material is highlighted by signed Sam Houston documents. Many other documents and letters from prominent figures of Texas and U.S. history will be displayed. Various genres of books will be for sale, including history, literature, first editions, and signed books, cookbooks, Latin American literature, signed mystery books, books about books, and many other categories. A book restorer will also be exhibiting. There will be something in all price ranges for the general browser to the serious collector.
The Texas Booksellers Association (TBA) is pleased to support The Printing Museum which led the Houston Book Show for fourteen years. TBA is working with The Printing Museum and proceeds will benefit the Museum. The Houston Book Show is also co-sponsored by the Southwest Chapter of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA).
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