Welcome to the Cleveland Club of Litho
and Printing
House Craftsmen
home page.
Meetings
For information or to make a reservation, please call:
Jeff Stoppenhagen at 216-431-0800 X 145
Cleveland Club of Litho &
Printing House Craftsmen Officers
President
- Jeff Stoppenhagen
P.O. Box 41021
Brecksville, OH 44141
216-431-0800
HISTORY OF THE CLEVELAND CLUB
The Cleveland Club of Printing House Craftsmen was chartered on January 28, 1921. Joseph F. Keary, at that time composing room foreman of the Carton Company, was elected first president of the club. From 11 members who attended the first meeting the club grew to 122 members by 1923. By 1924 the Cleveland club became ambitious enough in their effort secure the International Convention for 1927. A District Conference was held in Cleveland on May 8, 1926.
It was June, 1929 that the name of the International Craftsman's bulletin was changed to Share Your Knowledge Review. It is interesting to note that it was a Cleveland Craftsman, D.W. "Bill" Stock, who won the $15.00 prize offered by the International in a contest for the most appropriate name.
By 1933, in the midst of the great depression, International President Fred Hagen wrote regarding Cleveland's request for a moratorium of the per capital tax. "It is agreeable for you withhold payment on per capita tax until the banking situation clears up".
1937 was the year the International Craftsmen Convention was held in Cleveland - the largest in the history of the International. This was the first Convention that exceeded 1,000 registrations.
Another (Fifth) District Conference was held in Cleveland in 1940. By 1945 the Cleveland Craftsman Bulletin was printed by offset., thus ended the first 25 years; the end of an era, the beginning of another. Membership reached the 208 mark; the club's net worth was $1,414.94; and Ed Samuel was elected International Treasurer, the first Cleveland member elected serve on the International Board.
In September, 1946 the Cleveland Litho Club was chartered. William J. Stevens, president of the NALC was installing officer. There were 77 members at the first meeting and William C. Stone of Copyfier Corp. of Cleveland, was elected the first president.
The IAPHC Convention was held in Cleveland August 8-1 1, 1948. Mac D. Sinclair was the general chairman and the IAPHC treasury was enriched by $350.00 from the proceeds.
In 1949 Cleveland was called the City of Champions. Covers were prepared for 5 issues of the Craftsman bulletin commemorating the feats, Harrison Dillard, the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, National Air Races and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The first joint meeting was held with the Litho Club of Cleveland in February of 1950.
The Erie Club of Printing House Craftsman was sponsored by the Cleveland Club.
May 11-12, 1951 the NALC annual convention was held in Cleveland with a registration of 404 members and guests representing 18 clubs.
Andrew Balika, Cleveland Litho President in 1951 was installed as NALC President on May 8, 1953 in Detroit, MI. He was the eighth National president.
Printing Week in Cleveland under president Art Fiebert finally took root in 1953. Clay Herrick was appointed chairman. The formation of the Graphic Arts council was conclusive evidence that Printing Week is a project that must find cooperation in all the Graphic Arts Industries.
A former past president of Cleveland, Thomas P. Mahoney, was elected President of the IAPHC in Philadelphia, and George Wise, also of Cleveland was elected 2nd Vice President. Litho and Craftsmen members and their spouses joined in merriment at the annual Christmas party December 11, 1954.
Another (Fifth) District Conference was held in Cleveland on June 1-2, 1956 and in 1957 George Wise, of Cleveland, was elected President of the IAPHC at the Los Angeles convention.
January 15-17, 1965 a Mid-year Litho Council meeting was held in Cleveland. It was voted that the NALC publication, "Litho Tips" would be published, and on June 25-27, 1969 at 11 24th Annual NALC Convention in Louisville, KY our 1967 Cleveland President, Arthur Balika, was elected National President for 1969-70.
On May 16-17, 1969, the Cleveland Club again welcomed the Fifth District Society members and officers at another conference.
August 6-9, 1972 Cleveland hosted the 53rd IAPHC Convention. Chuck Leonard was convention chairman and Harry Abrams was the Cleveland President.
June 2-25, 1975, the 30th Annual NALC Convention, was hosted by the Cleveland Club.
The first Merger Committee meeting was held on March 3, 1977 at the Brown Derby Restaurant. Representing the Cleveland Litho Club was Tony Mazzollini, Dick Whiting.
Pete Dziama and Jim Sutphin. Representing the Cleveland Craftsman Club was Steve Procuk, Bill Shults, Paul Ullman and Bob Schlenkerman. Later it was voted to merge, following the San Francisco guidelines, and on September 23, 1977 the two clubs merged!
June 18-21, 1986, the 41st Annual NALC Convention was hosted by the Cleveland Club.
On June 24-26, 1993, Donald F. Samuel, Cleveland Club President in 1968 and 1987 was installed as NALC President for the 1993-94 year in San Francisco, CA.
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