Wood type souvenir

On our third day in Paris, we came upon an unplanned flea market happening right along the Canal St-Martin. There happened to be a vendor selling old woodtype and letterpress paraphernalia. When my eyes landed on these, I couldn't resist buying them.

These antique woodtype letters (that are actually carved metal - lead?) measure about 4" x 4" each, and feature a gorgeous, chunky slab serif typeface. Perfection.

The nicks and scratches are incredible - truly making them a piece of printing history.

Fortunately, my dear friend Tanya offered to let me ink them and run them through her press – a Morgan Line-O-Scribe – to see how they looked printed. (Below image credit: Tanya Roberts)

We had to do a bit of padding and adjusting (weirdly enough, they we taller than standard North America letterpress letters), but in the end, the results were stunning. More photos on her blog here.

Thanks again Tanya for letting me print these two pieces that I will treasure forever.

Birthday cards

One of the finest birthday gifts I've ever received – stunning letterpress business cards from my dear friend Tanya. I can't wait to hand these beauties out.
Thanks so much Tanya! You are the best.

(Photo credits: Tanya R.)

I fall to pieces

I absolutely adore this letterpress poster by Laura Tait, along with the rest of her typographic work.

(via designworklife)

26 Warriors

"Here stand the 26 warriors who have brought down the walls of ignorance and darkness. They remain our greatest tool in a continuing quest for education, enlightenment, and a hope for a better future."

-a poster from Tanya's recent trip to Don Black Linecasting

(Photo credit: Tanya)

CRazy for type

I had been wanting some woodcut letters for a long time. But ever since I took the snap & tumble letterpress curiosity workshop, I've loved letterpress letters even more. These beauties arrived on my doorstep yesterday from an Etsy seller in the USA. Merry Christmas to me!

Letterpress magic!

I had the privilege of attending the snap and tumble Letterpress Workshop yesterday!

I got to learn all the basics about typesetting and movable type.

From admiring and choosing metal (or woodcut) letters (source):

To setting the letters in their form with wooden "furniture" and adjustable quoins:

To mixing and applying the ink:

To distributing the ink, and finally, pressing!

Here are some of the finished results:

Many thanks to Tanya for sharing offering this workshop and sharing her vast knowledge of the printing press!

Currently on the wish list

Today's mantra

Poster by Anthony Burhill

(What a Saskatchewan thing to say...)