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For information about the Washington Litho Club, please call:

Ed Riggs at 910-575-0399

Washington Graphic Arts Communication Club

History of the Washington Litho Club

The Washington Litho Club was started more than 50 years ago at a time when the local printing industry was characterized by the Washington Litho Club historian as being even bigger than the Federal Government. In those days, before the advent of the ubiquitous copier and while the size of the Federal Government was measured in millions not trillions of dollars, both Government and business had to look to printers whenever they needed something reproduced, copied or published. Obviously, that utopian situation is no longer true. Moreover, printing in 1945 did not necessarily equate to lithography, since, at the time, letterpress was the more prevalent printing process and lithography was more an art than a science.

A few of Washington's more progressive lithographers realized that the great potential for the lithography process would not be realized until they had overcome the myriad of problems that were then associated with the process. They agreed that the best way to improve the state of the art was to share their experiences and knowledge. In 1945, a group of Washington lithographers and their supplier representatives, with the help and guidance of the Baltimore Club, founded the Washington Litho Club. The first formal meeting was March 26, 1945. The attendance was excellent. More than 300 people attended from commercial plants and Government facilities. Owners, directors, managers, and sales representatives were represented. The first elected officers of the charter Washington Litho Club were: President - William H. Heintz; Vice President Charles Storey; Secretary - Fred W.C. French; and Treasurer- A.L. Tucker.

The enthusiasm and spirit of cooperation within this early Club was evident in the fact that it succeeded in encompassing everyone interested in the future of lithography: commercial lithographers, Government lithographers, and suppliers. "information, Cooperation, and Fellowship" was the slogan the Club adopted as a bench mark for it program activities.

An unusual aspect of the early Club was that there was no shortage of people interested in joining. Members included lithographers within the large Government plants such as the Government Printing Office, Army Map Service, US Coast and Geodetic Survey, Bureau of Engraving and Printing. and the Department of Interior. And there was also a lot of interest from the directors, managers, and foremen employed by the local commercial printing industry. The problem this presented to the Club was wisely solved by implementing a 50/50 ratio of Government to commercial members to prevent an imbalance. Unfortunately, this "problem" no longer exists, but another membership-limiting criteria is still in force - the lithographer member must be a member of the management ranks.

The Washington Litho Club frequently acts in an advisory capacity to the public schools in an ongoing effort to set up and promote printing in the school system and structure vocational programs to secure on-the-job training during high school. The Club has run a summer Jobs Program for high school students during the summer months, aiding shop owners and giving students an opportunity to get a firsthand view of the industry, earn some money, and possibly choose printing as a career.

In addition to these mainstream educational activities. the Washington Litho Club members frequently volunteer as advisors to the John F. Kennedy School for the Disadvantaged and other similar organizations to assist in the implementation of print shops for vocational/educational purposes. The Club has also worked with penal institutions such as those at Lorton and Hagerstown to establish printing facilities as part of their rehabilitation programs.

The Washington Litho Club was a charter member of the National Association of Litho Clubs when it was formed in 1946, and the Washington Club continues to support the work of the national organization. Presidents of the national from among our membership include Al Tucker, Jack O. Blades, Fred Fowler, Raymond Geegh, Bob LeFebvre and last, but not least, the incoming President Barbara Westland, the first woman to serve in that prestigious office. Committee people and club coordinators at the national level from the Washington Club include Al Materani, Fred Fowler, Bob LeFebvre, Daniel Henderson, Jim King, Barbara Westland, and George Collins.

The National Association of Litho Clubs Convention was last hosted by the Washington Club in 1992 with hardworking, genial, and gregarious Jim King as the General Chairman. He was ably assisted by a wide cross section of the current membership, and especially by Barbara Westland and most of the Westland family. This was only the latest of several very successful Washington conventions. The first, in 1949, had both Paul Heiduler and Williams Heintz as the driving force of its success. Our second convention was in 1958 with Al Tucker as General Chairman, ably assisted by Paul Schafer, Al Attshuler, Waiter Conway and others. At the time it was the most successful and best attended of all National Association conventions up to that time. In 1968, another National Convention was hosted by the Washington Litho Club. Bill Patton was the General Chairman assisted by Jerry Stovall. The 1968 convention was marred by several tragic events, including the death of Robert Kennedy, and the riots in Washington, both of which served to dampen the spirit but not the success of the convention.

The preceding paragraphs highlight key elements of the Club's history. but unfortunately list only a few of the many individuals who have contributed to that success. Over the past two decades one would have to add the names of Doug Killian, Ed Barton, Mark Watt, Trueman Burn, and J.R. Westland who, together with those already named, have given so unstintingly of themselves to advance the Club programs. The continued success of the Club stems from their long time commitment, hard work, and largely unsung efforts in staffing our working committees, producing our Litho Notes, and organizing the various functions that have kept the program and its educational activities alive. We are proud of the tact that these recent efforts have led to two National Association of Litho Clubs Club of the Year awards. One was earned in 1985-86, the other in 1992-93.

The Washington Litho Club is today a mature but financially healthy organization, due in great measure to its active, progressive attitude, and its energetic commitment to serve the printing industry needs. Our 300 founders can be proud of what the Club has accomplished over the past 49 years and of their successors who are now actively involved. Members still include a number of Washington's innovative and prestigious owners and managers who play key roles in this ever-changing technical industry called lithography. An industry which has become Washington's largest blue collar employer. The fact that the Club has prospered over these many years is, in no small part, due to the continuing dedication of our members, only a few of whom we have recognized in this brief history. As members of a dub representing the now premier printing process of lithographic printing, we are all thankful for the decision of the founders to support a program of industry improvement based on their belief and dedication to the slogan: "information, Cooperation, and Fellowship". This motto has truly furnished a foundation upon which this organization has and continues to grow and prosper.

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