Peter Howard (1939-2011)

We at SPD are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Howard last week.  Peter accomplished a huge amount in the rare and used book world, and among other things was a great champion of small press literature.  One of his accomplishments that we are especially grateful for was the co-founding of the entity that eventually became SPD, which he and Jack Shoemaker first formed circa 1969.

Obit in Berkeleyside

Recent article on Peter & Serendipity Books in SF Gate

Above: one of the earlier extant SPD catalogs

in our archive, from Summer 1977,

when SPD was still Serendipity Books Distribution,

as named by Peter Howard in 1969