A.E. Giegengack
International President
1927 - 1929

Sessions of the Eight Annual Convention in New York were held in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Commodore, September 5-7, 1927, with 42 clubs represented. The Toronto delegation numbered over ninety

The convention sessions were devoted almost exclusively to routine business of the Association; only two speakers appeared on the program. Among other legislative acts referring mostly to by-laws, a resolution recommending one district conference each year instead of two was adopted as was a resolution changing the end of the fiscal year of the Association to June 30.

The Fourth Educational Graphic Arts Exposition
The Graphic Arts Exposition took place in the Grand Central Palace of New York City September 5 to 17, 1927. Its success was practically assured by the Graphic Arts Exposition joint conference board, consisting of representatives of the IAPHC, the United Typothetae of America, the International Trade Composition Association, the International Printers Supply Salesmen's Guild, the Employing Bookbinders of America, the International Association of Electrotypers, and the manufacturers of printing machinery, paper, ink, type, and printer's supplies. All these organizations held their annual conventions in New York City during the two weeks of the exposition.

While the active management remained in the hands of New York Craftsmen, a corporation for the purpose of conducting the exposition was organized under the laws of the State of New York, known as the National Graphic Arts Expositions, Inc. Officers were: William A Renkel, president; A.E. Geigengack, first vice president; Ernest F. Eilert, third place vice president; Joseph F. Herberger, treasurer; John Clyde Oswald, secretary. Representatives of the organizations mentioned above were on the board of directors in an advisory capacity.

The management of the exposition rested upon the shoulders of A.E. Giegengack, serving his third term as President of the New York Club. The exposition was the largest showing of equipment, accessories, materials, and supplies for the printing and allied trades ever held. The three floors of Grand Central Palace represented a floor area of 64,000 square feet and a space value of approximately $200,000. Total attendance of the show was 94,137.

Two floors were devoted to working exhibits. There could be found model composing-room equipment, machine composition of all kinds, the latest type of pressroom, photoengraving and electrotyping equipment, and folding, binding, and cutting equipment. Exhibitors also displayed the newest type of work producible on the various types of machinery.

The Graphic Arts Gallery constituted a restricted exhibition, limited to the highest standard of work produced by publishers, designers, engravers, printers, lithographers, and binders.

The success of the exposition was due to preparation and plans covering a period of almost three years. Financial returns to the International Association amounted to $18,688.25, which was placed in a special educational fund.

The following clubs were charted during the year: Fox River Valley, Phoenix, and York.

Selection of America's Oldest Printer
A search for the oldest printer was inaugurated by a committee in charge of the exposition. The idea was to honor in some suitable manner a group of the oldest men in the industry. The results were astonishing and disproved the opinion that printing was an unhealthy occupation. More than 100 printers from all parts of the United States and Canada entered the competition. Philip F. Coughlan, a 95 year old compositor of St. Louis, Mo., was declared the winner and presented with a gold medal. He had continued work for 79 years. Second, third and fourth place awards went to men who had served 78, 76, and 74 years.