San Francisco Center for the Book Showcases 19th Century Carved Stone Books
Items from the Remember Me: American Carved Stone Books from the Ian Berke Collection exhibition
Remember Me: American Carved Stone Books from the Ian Berke Collection will explore the area where book-like objects and folk art intersect.
San Francisco collector Ian Berke (1940 - 2024) began collecting these intriguing artifacts during a chance encounter at an antique show in New England in 2007. Fascinated by a small, white marble book bearing the inscription “Remembr the Maine”, Berke’s interest was piqued, leading him down a path of discovery that ultimately resulted in amassing a collection of over 500 unique pieces over 17 years.
The exhibition at San Francisco Center for the Book will give visitors the chance to explore a selection of intricately carved books from Berke’s collection. Crafted from various types of stone, these objects are tangible expressions of emotion or commemoration of significant events, with delicate carvings and heartfelt inscriptions etched upon their surfaces.
Curated by Mindell Dubansky, Museum Librarian for Preservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the exhibition opens April 27 and runs through June 23. Admission is free.
