Kentuckiana Graphic Arts Association

Kentuckiana Graphic Arts Association
Our Club was started in the winter of 1960. 1 well remember Rae Gross, who was printing salesman for Inland Litho Co. of Chicago, who sold quite a bit of printing to General Electric Company in Louisville. He contacted me at Courier Journal Lithographing and suggested that we start a Litho Club. He came to me when he learned of my interest and knowledge of lithography from one of the purchasing agents at G.E. We met later at a local restaurant, Also at this meeting Don Lyons, Walt Davids, Virgil Pace and Toby Morgan, who was one of the editors of Graphic Arts Monthly, the well known magazine of the Graphic Arts Industry. I remember the evening very well; it was snowing and the wind was blowing. Toby Morgan, who was living in Miami, remarked about the severity of the weather, but Rae Goss just laughed and said "it is just like Chicago, I feel right at home." After dinner, we had a lengthy discussion on the problems and importance of starting a Litho Club. We were given the names and addresses of the National Organization. I contacted them and received information and forms needed to get a charter for our club. In the meantime Walt and Don Spread the word to various Lithographers of our intention and meeting was set for April of 1 960. There were approximately twenty people present at this meeting, which was held at Kingsley Inn on Taylorsville Road.
At this meeting I found it would be necessary for us to incorporate our organization. Since we didn't have any money in the treasury, I had to prevail on a attorney, John Greenebaum, to do the work necessary for us to get our charter and incorporation papers. He was very kind and gracious to us.
The first meeting produced a lot of conversation regarding the objectives of the club. There was a heated argument on the cost of dues. When the amount of $12.00 per year was suggested, some of the men threatened to walk out of the meeting. However, they were talked into staying. We also set up a list of officers, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, with a board of governors to oversee the business of the club. One of the ways we got some of the men present to calm down on the question of dues was that I promised to contact the bosses of the men present at the meeting. Some of the answers I received when I contacted the bosses were "no, this is just an excuse to get out another night of the month" or "why should we pay for our men to pass on our secrets to other competitors. "This was kind of shortsighted as one of the prime reasons for a Litho Club is for the men to learn from each other and also to learn new methods and ideas from the technical speakers we would have at the meetings.
The first officers were Gerstle, President; Joe Luzon, Vice President; Don Lyons, Secretary; and Earl Strange, treasure. We had a lot of fun, some anxiety, but we managed to pull through that first year. It was trying at times, but as I think back on it, it was an interesting and happy time, and I am glad to have gone through it.
Frank P. Gerstle
President
Gary Guss
4510 South 6th Street
Louisville, KY 40214
502-523-8796