Toothpaste & Coffee House: Change and Continuity

Allan Kornblum, legendary founder and publisher of both Coffee House Press and Toothpaste Press, examines the history of poetry publishing from the clay tablet to digital imprints. Informed by his 40-year career in publishing, Kornblum explores the ways in which book-making shapes culture and imagines the future of literary publishing and independent presses.

Coffee House Press traces its history through the turbulence of recent transformations in poetry publishing, from letterpress editions and offset printing to newer technologies. The exhibit—including broadsides, chapbooks and important first editions—provides a capsule view of the trajectory of this independent press (and its precursor Toothpaste Press) renowned for adventurous discoveries, editorial excellence, elegant design and steadfast commitment to writers, readers and poetry.

Allan Kornblum is a publisher and printer. He is founding publisher of both Toothpaste Press and Coffee House Press, which has published over three-hundred books including eight Minnesota Book Award winners, the 2009 Readers’ Choice Award recipient, and two National Book Award finalists. He is the recipient of the 1997 American Book Award for Special Achievement as an Editor and Publisher. He is also the recipient of the 2012 Kay Sexton Award from the Minnesota Book Awards. He lives in St. Paul.