Still from the film Fraktura, 2020, Judith Poirier
Fri., Nov. 6 | Judith Poirier introduced Awayzgoose attendees to the process behind her brief abstract typographic movies, showing us how she produces letterpress animation—without a camera—to create compositions in motion punctuated with discordant (and harmonious) sounds. [Read more]
Left: Arthur W. Rushmore posting his hand-painted sign, May 30, 1941. Right: the sign as it looks today, 20 × 15″. (Courtesy of Edna Macphail)
Recently, Mrs. Edna Macphail asked for recommendations for donating materials in her possession associated with, or printed by, her grandfather Arthur W. Rushmore (1883–1955). Rushmore, a book designer, and head of manufacturing for Harper & Brothers Publishers is known today for his private Golden Hind Press, established with his wife Edna Keeler Rushmore, in 1927. [Read more]
Beth Schuchter wrote to share some ephemera printed by Andersen-Lamb, the notable Brooklyn, New York photogravure company. She also has shared some nice photographs featuring the pressroom with etching presses. Andersen-Lamb was mentioned in a 2014 post, on this website, inquiring about the W.T. Littig Printing Co. [Read more]
Compiled by Bruce Licher and Karen Nielsen Licher. Rochester NY: P22 Type Foundry and P22 Analog, 2020. ISBN: 978-096310826-5 (Standard edition). Hardcover. 240 pp. Full color. Discography and Index. Order
Savage Impressions is a sumptuous book sure to delight designers, printers, record collectors, and graphic arts enthusiasts. The publisher notes that it is the first extensive monograph devoted to Independent Project Press, one of the most influential letterpress studios active today. The proprietor, musician, artist, and designer, Bruce Licher, has been producing innovative, limited edition letterpress printing since 1982. He was among the first to print on chipboard for music package design. But it is his virtuosity in hand composing vintage metal types and his restrained palette that elevates this work above its professed purpose. [Read more]
I am developing a checklist for this website of printing history publications written or edited by APHA members (current, lapsed and deceased), APHA Award Laureates, Lieberman Lecturers, and Mark Samuels Lasner Fellows. [Read more]
Much has been written about this founding father of the United States. His contributions as a diplomat, statesman, civic activist, scientist, and inventor are well known. Readers of this website will be quick to add that he was also an author, printer, editor and publisher. To the last appellation, I wish to direct attention to an article that was overlooked when first posted: Penn Connections: Provost William Smith’s Sermon on “the Death of a Beloved Pupil,” Printed by Ben Franklin in 1754.
The Government Printing Office Division of Testing and Technical Controls Paper Analysis Laboratory, late 1930s. (GPO Photo Collection)
George Barnum & James T. Cameron: Making the Invisible Visible: Wartime Wonders at the U.S. Government Printing Office ♥
John Risseeuw: Alloy Analysis of Historic Metal Printing Type
Both speakers in this session summoned science. But just a dram of detail is divulged now. Mr. Barnum’s talk (Mr. Cameron did not attend) will be posted in full on this website after all the conference events are summarized. Prof. Risseeuw’s investigations are ongoing, therefore the aim is to avoid mischaracterizing his conclusions. [Read more]
Three issues of Swiftset Rotary Printers Journal from 1939, its inaugural year.
In the mid-twentieth century, manufacturers of tabletop printing presses for hobbyists, such as Kelsey in America and Adana in Great Britain, published substantive newsletters to educate and upsell their fledging printer/customers. Kelsey’s The Printer’s Helper ran for a remarkable 55 years from 1929 to 1984 while Adana’s Printcraft ran for a respectable eight years from 1948 to 1956. On par with these titles is the lesser-known Swiftset Rotary Printers’ Journal, the official publication for Swiftset Rotary Presses, which ran from 1939 through 1950. [Read more]
Screen capture of television news report. Link and translation in post below.
Recent Taiwanese media stories about a letterpress shop for sale on the island have helped preserve an estimated 80,000 traditional Chinese letterpress lead type characters from possible destruction. These particular types are rare due not only to the transition to modern printing technologies but have been since the adoption of simplified Chinese characters following the Communist victory in mainland China. [Read more]
Letterpress holiday card tipped into J. Ben Lieberman’s 1963 book Printing as a Hobby. Lieberman was APHA’s founder and first president.