Skip to main content

Collection of Steven Leiber catalogs and related materials

 Collection
Identifier: CAI ARC 2019.01

Scope and Contents

Steven Leiber was an art and ephemera dealer and collector located in San Francisco, CA. He was active from 1983 to his death in 2012. In 1992, Leiber began producing catalogs for his gallery Steven Leiber Basement. These unique catalogs come in many different formats, often mimicking the design of a piece sold within, and have become collectible in and of themselves. Formats here include, but are not limited to, an imitation library card catalog, a thirty foot long scroll, and a pack of baseball cards complete with a stick of gum. The pieces for sale listed within the catalogs are various and can range from art ephemera to artists’ books to signed pieces. The collection also includes various exhibition catalogs and promotional materials related to Steven Leiber.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1994 - 2010

Creator

Restrictions on Access

This material is not restricted. The collection is open to research.

Extent

5.33 Linear feet ( (2 letter document boxes, 1 legal document box, 1 record storage carton, 1 oversize flat box, 1 clamshell box, 1 poster tube))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains dealer and exhibition catalogs created by or relating to Bay Area book dealer Steven Leiber (American, 1957–2012).

Arrangement

Due to the varying sizes and formats of the catalogs the collection has been arranged according to container size. Oversized material has been separated.

Custodial History

These catalogs were transferred from the office of Susan Roeper, Library Director, Clark Art Institute, to the Clark Art Institute Archives in 2019.

Related Materials

The following publications can be consulted for direct reference to Steven Leiber.


Aarons, Philip E. and Tom Patchett. The Catalogues of Steven Leiber: A Memorial Exhibition. New York, NY: Printed Matter, 2012. Available at the Clark Art Institute Library. Call number: N8630 .L453 N48 2012



Trepanier, Peter. Leiber and Sullivan. Ottawa, CA: National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives, 2012. Available at the Clark Art Institute Library. Call number:NF195 O88 2012


Steven Leiber's catalogs were often inspired by or paid homage to existing artists' books. Reference information for the source of inspiration is included in the item level descriptions for each catalog, where applicable.


In 2013, Rite Editions published an edition of multiples, titled Artists & Editions : in memory of Steven Leiber, including works by fourteen contributing artists in homage to Leiber. The Clark's edition of the multiple can be found in the Library's artists' book collection, here: NF195 .A7745

Processing Information

This collection was processed at the item level. Items were placed in acid free folders. Finding aid created by Matt Hewes. Revised by Michelle Ametekpor in January 2025.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
A Collection of Catalogs and Ephemera from Steven Leiber
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Matt Hewes. Revised by Michelle Ametekpor in January 2025.
Date
Mar. 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Archives Repository

Contact:


View Staff Interface | Visit ArchivesSpace.org | v3.2.0