Welcome to the
Litho Club of Baltimore
home page.

Here you will find information about our meetings, officers, history and more.

Meetings

For more information or to make a reservation, please call:

Neils Braid at 410-665-0006

Litho Club of Baltimore Officers

President

NEILS BRAID
20315 Middletown Road
Freeland, MD 21053
410-665-0666

Vice President

LAUREN DEFEO
Kenwood High School
410.887.0146

Treasurer

FRANK CROUSE
Retired
410.374-3282

Secretary

LARRY KATZ
Barton Cotton, Inc.
410.204.7504

Past President

LOU KOLARIK
French Bray
410.766.2000

Membership Information

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Litho Club of Baltimore, use your browser to print this Membership Application , fill it out and mail it to the address on the application.

A Little L.C.O.B. History

The following thoughts and remembrances were sent to me by Bud Murry, who joined the Baltimore Litho Club in 1939. I thought you all might enjoy reading his notes, and perhaps they will jog your memories as well. Any contributions will certainly help. Bill Erickson and Bob Kyle have given me files to review. A history is beginning to take shape. Thanks to all of you who have and will contribute. Now, on to Bud's notes:

I joined the Litho Club in 1939, about 6 months after it was chartered. I was working for Eastman Kodak Stores; and when Lee Tormey, a charter member, retired, I took his membership. At that time, only one membership (associate) was allowed for a supplier or manufacturer. There were only two types of membership -- active or associate. Active consisted of owners and management personnel. Voting rights were for active members only. Meetings were held at the old Emerson Hotel. Thirty (30) in attendance was considered a good meeting. Looking back, the so-called "Tin Printers" had much to do with the formation and start of the Baltimore Litho Club. In the early days, we had two affairs -- the crab feast and the Christmas party. Several of the crab feasts were held at the old Maryland Yacht Club, now South Baltimore Hospital. A large crowd was 200-300 people. Rossiters catered the feast, and the crabs were large. Of course, cards and dice tables were prevalent. At one feast, I remember the professional gamblers came in and stripped the games. I know one member, God rest his soul, who lost $400!

The Club struggled through the War years, but they saw the light. A Craftsman category was established, and it helped to increase membership. There were some years in which it was a problem to meet the per capita tax of the National Association of Litho Clubs. However, we seemed to meet it.

During the War years, one incident I will always remember: Our Crab Feast was held at Strawberry Point at Marrin's. Al Caldwell, at that time, had an ulcer. With baby food being rationed, he had two car loads of us stopping at the food markets and buying our quotas on the way to the crab feast.

One year, the Club had a very sad and unfortunate situation with the Treasury. Like many problems we have had, the right person always seemed to come along. The Club was very fortunate that Tom O'Brien stepped in and did a superior job in getting the records straight. During the years, the Club has met at numerous places, starting with the Emerson Hotel. To name a few more--Munder's Lauraville House, Park Plaza, a place on Belair Road (I can't remember the name), Holiday Inn, Hilton Pikesville, Quality Inn in Towson, Longley's, Penn Hotel, Bowman's, Russo's (formerly Wargo's) and probably some I have forgotten.

Our first NALC Convention was held at the Emerson Hotel. Tom and Neal Bowden were active in the planning and operation. The 1979 NALC Convention at Hunt Valley was a success, with Richard Burnham and Bob Kyle at the helm.

Many of our Christmas parties were held at the Belvedere. I was Entertainment Chairman at one of the last parties there, and I remember we had so many attendees we had to reduce the dance floor size. It was a large crowd, but everyone had a good time.

Later, we moved the Christmas Party to the Emerald Gardens, which were plush affairs. I can always remember Stan Dabkowski as Santa Claus, standing out front greeting the arrivals.

In 1971, we held a Mid-Atlantic Graphic Arts Show at the Civic Center. We had a high-powered committee that, with the help of Exhibit Aids, put on a top-notch show.

In 1974, Bill Erickson and I composed a letter to GATF stating why we should be awarded the Club of the Year Award. We received the award in Sr. Louis at the GATF Convention. At the same time, Stan Dabkowski received the Elmer Voight Trophy.

The Baltimore Litho Club has been active in all the operations of the National. Our Founding Fathers assisted in the formation of the National. Many of our members have served on National Committees. Frankly, I believe our Club has never missed a convention!

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