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Oral History: Celebrating the Stephen Daye Press
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Recorded on Sept. 8, at the Brattleboro Historical Society History Center at 196 Main St.Founded in 1932 by John S. and Marion R. Hooper, the Stephen Daye Press published books about New England. It is considered the first in the field of regional publishers in the United States.John, Mary Ann, and Steve Hooper, all children of the founders and formerly of Brattleboro, spoke about the press flanked by displays of books, photos, tools of the trade, original promotional materials, and other items.The name, Stephen Daye Press, honored the first printing press in the colonies, brought from England in 1636. The Press published over 125 titles during the 10 years of its existence, 1932-1942. Most were hard cover books, but it also published pamphlets, folios, soft cover books and other materials.Brattleboro’s Vermont Printing Company facilitated the start-up of the Press and was its printer. The Stephen Daye Press not only acquired and cultivated authors, but also focused on craftsmanship, including type selection, book design, dust jackets, and the many other details of publishing.The event is part of the Historical Society and Friends collaboration to tell the story of Brattleboro’s important and distinguished publishing and printing history.
