For photos of the January lunch, go here.

The Wynkyn de Worde Society

The society was founded in 1957, taking its name from William Caxton's journeyman, Wynkyn de Worde. This was particularly appropriate as, after Caxton's death, de Worde had been the first printer to set up his shop in Fleet Street, which was for centuries perhaps the world's most famous centre of printing.

Its members provide the Society with a wide spectrum of people dedicated to excellence in all aspects of printing and the various stages of its creation, production, finishing and dissemination. Since its foundation the Society has looked beyond the ever-changing techniques of the world of printing to the proliferating spheres of communication. This it has done chiefly through its main activity, four luncheons a year, which are followed by a talk given by an invited speaker. At these meetings, members and guests may question the speaker and comment on the address or use the occasion to discuss matters of mutual interest. The Society prides itself on the relaxed atmosphere of these occasions and the welcome afforded to its guests.

Other events are held during evenings and on Saturdays in a variety of locations. The Society has been privileged to have special exhibits mounted for its visits to libraries such as those at the Royal Library at Windsor, Lambeth Palace, Worcester College, Westminster Abbey, Hatfield House, the Plantin Moretus Museum in Antwerp and the Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

The Society has printed some of the papers presented at its meetings as well as books and ephemera which have become much sought after. The Society's Charitable Trust funds bursaries and seminars to assist in the education of future generations which will be involved in printing and related activities.

New members, who will both gain from and contribute to the Society, are welcomed. Details for their nomination may be had from the Honorary Secretary.

Past Chairmen

New and Renewed Membership

1. Attention is drawn to Rules 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Constitution and Rules 1988.

2. Candidates for membership must have attended a recent luncheon as the guest of their intended proposer or seconder, who should make every effort at the luncheon to introduce the candidate to at least one member of the Committee.

3. The proposer should ask the Honorary Secretary for a proposal form which will require the following information:

1. The name, address, company and position of the candidate.
2. The candidate's personal and business connections with print and the graphic arts.
3. An assurance that the candidate is aware of the aims and objects of the Society and is likely to be a regular attender at meetings.
4. The length of time the proposer has known the candidate.
5. The name of the seconder. (The Committee at its discretion may ask for a supporting letter from the seconder.)

4. Members who have left the Society by resignation may apply direct to the Secretary for reinstatement, the letter being countersigned by two current members proposing and seconding the readmission.

5. Applications for new or renewed membership will be put by the Secretary before the Committee at its following bi-monthly meeting. If at the time no vacancies exist within the Society's membership, the candidate may be placed on a waiting list.

6. Lapsed members who have been removed from membership for failure to pay subscriptions due are readmitted at the committee's discretion, all past subscriptions since the date of removal being liable for payment before membership recommences. Applications should be made direct to the Secretary. Rule 5 of the Constitution and Rules applies.

The Society's constitution, together with notes on the Charitable Fund and the archive, is issued as a separate booklet.