Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Background
Scope and Content
Descriptive Summary
Title: Rather Press Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1968-1996
Creator:
Rather Press
Extent: 1 linear foot
Repository:
Henry Madden Library (California State University, Fresno).
Sanoian Special Collections Library.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Acquisition
The collection was donated by Dr. Roger K. Larson in 1997.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been transferred to California State University, Fresno.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Rather Press Collection, Sanoian Special Collections Library,
California State University, Fresno.
Background
The Rather Press was founded by Clif Rather in 1967 as a therapeutic hobby after a stroke
paralyzed his left side. His wife, Lois Rather began to write material for him to print
and the partnership of this private press began. The Rathers did all of the work required
in producing and marketing their limited-edition books, sold at cost regardless of the
time and labor involved. After Clif Rather died in 1987, Lois continued writing and
printing until her own death in 1996.
Scope and Content
The Rather Press collection measures 1 linear foot and dates from 1968 to 1996. The
bibliographies list everything published by The Rather Press in chronological order,
regardless of format. The first bibliography, covering the years 1968 to 1978, is
extensively annotated and illustrated. The history was written by Roger K. Larson,
personal friend of the Rathers and donor of the collection. One of the manuscripts, "One
Life," is Lois Rather's unpublished autobiography. The newspaper clipping describes the
history of The Rather Press and the lives of the Rathers. There are also three miniature
books and numerous pamphlets and limerick calendars that Lois Rather created every year.
All of The Rather Press books have been cataloged and are housed in the Colver
Collection.