Skip to main content

Abattoir Editions

 Organization

Dates

  • Usage: 1972 - 2001

Biography

Abattoir Editions is a small letterpress founded by Harry Duncan at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1972. The name was inspired by Omaha's stockyards. The average edition was 200 to 300 copies. Because Abattoir Editions was funded by the university, the books could be sold at a lower cost. The first imprint published by the press was The Naming of Beasts and Other Poems by Gerald Stern in 1973. Harry Duncan operated Abattoir Editions until 1985. Bonnie O'Connell continued to operate Abattoir Editions at UNO until at least 2001.

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

Abattoir Editions Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UNO-0261
Scope and Contents The Abattoir Editions Collection comprises the correspondence, manuscripts, proofs, forms, and other papers relating to the books published by the small letterpress Abattoir Editions, in Omaha, Nebraska. Materials are arranged by the name of the author whose work was published in Abattoir Editions, with notes in the inventory list as to the types of material available for that particular author (correspondence, proofs, manuscript, etc.).New material added 2016-02-22:...
Dates: circa 1972-1999

About Cummington Press -- Fine Print v.4 no.1 1978, 1978

 File — Box 4, Folder: 22
Scope and Contents Fine Print, volume IV, number 1, January 1978. This issue features the articles "Harry Duncan & The Cummington Press," by Mary L. Richmond (pages 1-4); "Harry Duncan, Maker of Books," by Kay Amert and Kim Merker (pages 4-6); "A Checklist of Books Printed by Harry Duncan," compiler not identified, listing works printed by the Cummington Press and Abattoir Editions in chronological order (pages 9-10); and two pages of illustrations from books at the Cummington Press and Abattoir Editions,...
Dates: 1978

About This Collection -- Cataloged Books, 1930-1977

 File
Scope and Contents The Mary L. Richmond Cummington Press collection includes more than eighty books printed by the Cummington Press and Abattoir Editions, along with more than twenty Christmas cards other types of publications. All of these have been cataloged and more detailed information about each book may be found in the library catalog.While Mary L. Richmond's collecting of non-book materials related to the Cummington Press focused...
Dates: 1930-1977

Announcements, 1941-1986

 Series
Scope and Contents

Announcements printed by The Cummington Press and Abattoir Editions for new publications and news about the press.

Dates: 1941-1986

Announcements -- Abattoir Editions, 1972-1986

 File — Box 3, Folder: 47
Scope and Contents Announcements of books published by Abattoir Editions in Omaha, Nebraska, 1972-1986, while Harry Duncan worked at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During this period, Harry Duncan published works commissioned by outside agencies under The Cummington Press imprint, and works funded by the University under the Abattoir Editions imprint. Itemized list (6 items in 7 pieces):Postcard circa 1975, advertising Saying Things, by Marilyn Thompson, along with details of an...
Dates: 1972-1986

Ephemera -- Invoices, 1951-1977

 File — Box 3, Folder: 39
Scope and Contents Invoices and related material for various Cummington Press and Abattoir Editions publications purchased by Mary L. Richmond.Itemized list:18 June 1951 invoice from the Cummington Press (Cummington, Massachusetts) for eleven books, sold to Mary L. Richmond, Chapin Library. (MLR 57)22 June 1951 invoice from the Cummington Press (Cummington, Massachusetts) for The Meditations of Daniel Dafoe, sold to Mary L. Richmond, Chapin Library. Includes personal message...
Dates: 1951-1977

Mary L. Richmond Cummington Press Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS-0005
Scope and Contents The Mary L. Richmond Cummington Press Collection covers the fine arts presswork of Harry Duncan (1916-1997) under the Cummington Press imprint (1941-1972), as well as examples of Duncan's work while at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, under the Abattoir Editions imprint (1972-1986). The collection also includes the illustrations of Paul Wightman Williams (d. 1957) under the Cummington Press imprint (1944-1957). The collection includes books, galley proofs, prints, drawings, engraved...
Dates: 1939-1985