The history of Buffalo and the printed word is a long-storied one. The treasures in the Poetry Collection at UB and popularity of the Babel series from Just Buffalo Literary Center show that this city still figures prominently on the world stage of poetics. Buffalo's oldest non-profit press, White Pine Press, has published some of the most notable poets over the last 40 years. This week, White Pine Press teams up with Buffalo's newest non-profit dedicated to the visual art of the printed and written word, the WNY Book Arts Center for a unique fundraising event.

This special benefit sale & auction is taking place Friday evening at the WNY Book Arts Center - an auction will be held featuring several rare broadsides culled from the collection of White Pine Press.  The lots include signed, limited-edition works by famous poets such as Robert Creeley, Diane DiPrima, Denise Levertov, Jerome Rothenberg, David St. John, Jane Hirshfield, among others. Titled The Art of the Broadside, the show and auction will include broadsides from up to 40 years ago, including many with vintage illustrations by Buffalo artist Michael Morgulis.

The broadside as a medium dates back to the 1600s when proclamations were posted in public spaces. The broadside has evolved in recent years to become a venue for collaborative limited-edition prints, evoking the historical legacy of the tangible object made with deliberate care. Often printed with letterpress, silkscreen, or other labor intensive methods and signed by the poets, broadsides can range from a very affordable piece of art to highly collectible works.

Many of the broadsides are hard to find items, and nearly all the items up for auction are signed by the poet. About a dozen lots will be offered in a live auction Friday night and another set of items are listed in a concurrent auction on eBay. In addition to the items up for auction, there will be many other broadsides at set-sale prices starting at $10 a piece.  Hundreds of broadsides will be on view for those who'd simply like to peruse the unique and diverse art form.

The auction and sale will take place Friday September 10th during a wine and cheese reception from 7-10pm. The live auction will take place at 8:30pm. The broadsides for sale can be previewed at the Book Arts Center on Wednesday and Thursday September 8 & 9 during gallery hours from 12-6pm. Space is limited but may be reserved online