News Article

Gonzaga University’s Foley Center Library is displaying an exhibition entitled “Loaned Treasures from the Robert Bruna Collection: The Stanbrook Abbey Press and Margaret Adams” through Aug. 31 in the Cowles Rare Book Reading Room.

The exhibition is comprised of Dr. Robert Bruna’s collection of books printed by the Stanbrook Abbey Press, run by Benedictine nuns in Worcester, England. The exhibition also contains items created by Margaret Adams, a calligrapher and gilder who worked for the Press as well as for Bruna. The exhibit is free and open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m.

The exhibition presents more than 20 items printed by the Stanbrook Abbey Press, as well as numerous items hand-calligraphed by Adams. One highlight is the “Book of Jonah,” hand-calligraphed and illustrated by Adams and commissioned by Bruna. In addition to the finished work, Adams’ manuscript draft and a finished framed image of the whale are on display.

The Stanbrook Abbey Press is the oldest private press in England and possibly the only press run by nuns to have an international reputation for fine printing. The works are beautifully printed and considered works of art.

Bruna, who graduated from Central Valley High School in 1937, practiced dentistry in Ferndale, Wash. For more than 30 years, Bruna dedicated himself to the love of fine arts. Friendships with Adams and Dame Hildelith Cumming, the Stanbrook Abbey Press head printer, helped him acquire materials that have made his collection unique and priceless. When Bruna passed away in 1993, his family loaned the collection to Gonzaga, as he had very much admired the principles of GU while alive. 

For more information, visit the Foley Center Web site at or contact Stephanie Plowman at (509) 323-3847.