Thursday, February 12, 2009

ATF Specimen Book & Catalog 1923 page ~

I picked up this book recently and I was pleasantly surprised to see my city in this book! I'll have to drive by the address and see what is there now.
This is an amazing book. It boggles the mind to think of the time and labor put into it.





Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Nesting ~



It's been a long winter here (record snowfall) in the Pacific Northwest and I think it will be here a while more. Last spring I brought home an S&L Oldstyle Gordon and a bunch of associated paraphernalia. I have spent the winter going through the type that came with the press. I also aquired a Hamilton type cabinet and about twenty sets of type from that purchase. The type and cabinet were from a third generation local printer. This is about the last of the type they have and are now all offset I believe except for numbering and such. But joy for me! I removed all of the type from the cases to resort it and to refurbish the cabinet. As I was doing this I noticed how much super-fine but heavy dust was on the type that came from the bottom most cases. I was nervous about lead oxide dust until I saw how like new the condition of the type was. Then it ocurred to me, we had a volcano explode in Washington in 1980 (Mt. St. Helens) which left quite a bit of ash layered about. I don't think the type had been disturbed since then!
We also finished a remodel which allowed for a move of all of my creative supplies, furniture and equipment into a room that up until then had been occupied. A huge problem solved! So I have spent a good portion of the last year nesting! It has gone by so fast! I'm very close to being done sorting the type I have aquired, and I have learned so much in the process. I have been putting it all in forms so I can organize it how I want in the cabinet. It's amazing how one's perceptions change. What I thought may have been a slightly boring font suddenly became wonderful after seeing it up close and personal. Little treasures for my nest. ~

So here are some pictures of my place in the world.


I printed out a diagram of a California Job case to sort type on. Very handy.
Three 11 x 17 prints, one of each section, taped together are just about the size of a real case.

Sigwalt No5.


Nolan proof press.

My first larger sized project using type!

Printed on the Nolan. This print is 10 in x 15 in. The text is printed over a woodcut.


The Vandercook 14 and refurbished cabinet.


When the S&L is done I intend to install it to the right of the cabinet. Then I think I will be out of allowed space in my husbands/our shop. ;o)