tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10483410172760845242024-03-13T07:45:06.524-04:00G. Johanson, Letterpress: Letterpress Printing & DesignUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-67049128094720002882013-06-24T00:58:00.000-04:002014-02-21T02:02:41.832-05:00A Fine - Line Project.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It all started with these two, fairly common stamps, shown below. The first is the 1923 Harding Commemorative. President Warren G. Harding died suddenly on his return from an Alaska Trip in 1923. He made it as far as San Fransisco before he died. Why did I select Warren Gameliel Harding as a subject? Well . . . heck, is that portrait cool or what? I mean, that's one awesome profile. I wanna grow up to look like Warren G. Harding! Ok, and another thing: Harding has a unique place in Broadcast History. The very first broadcast from Westinghouse's 8XK / KDKA, Pittsburg Pennsylvania experimental radio station was the Harding-Cox election Returns. Harding was the first president to have his election covered by the new medium of Wireless. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Project? A special QSL Postal Label to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ham Radio and the American Radio Relay League (1914 - 2014) and as well, a sort of head start on the 100th anniversary of Broadcast Radio, 1920 - 2020.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another aspect of this project: to demonstrate the reproduction of fine detail via the medium of Letterpress. Letterpress is not new to Postal Ephemera, of course. Just after the 1840s, Great Britain turned from intaglio engraving of postage stamps, to surface printing. Surface (Letterpress) printing carried the burden of postage stamp production for the most part, in Europe for about one hundred years. There is no question that these stamps were designed with a high degree of detail. Detail that I don't see very often in today's modern world of Letterpress.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HltUKsgsp8/Uce0dUT_UvI/AAAAAAAACLM/RReSBS0ZBz0/s1600/Harding.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HltUKsgsp8/Uce0dUT_UvI/AAAAAAAACLM/RReSBS0ZBz0/s320/Harding.bmp" height="320" width="282" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Now, the United States continued it's practice of engraving of it's postal issues. In fact, the only examples of surface printed postal ephemera from the States will be found in their Postal Stationery issues, and in their Postmaster Provisionals which were used prior to the issue of Government printed stamps in 1847, or the Postmaster Provisionals of the Confederate States. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The design for my Amateur Radio Postal / QSL labels would be derived from the profile portrait as seen in the above Harding stamp, and the frame of the stamp shown below, which is part of the 1923 regular postal issue. All denominations shared the same frame and legend, featuring different presidents and personalities from American History, such as Nathan Hale, shown below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds0yMEAhIYw/Uce1FmH0W3I/AAAAAAAACLY/mKJ3Kv-D_oc/s1600/Nathan+Hale+Stamp.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds0yMEAhIYw/Uce1FmH0W3I/AAAAAAAACLY/mKJ3Kv-D_oc/s320/Nathan+Hale+Stamp.bmp" height="320" width="279" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I redrew the frame and acanthus leaves above the denomination. I removed the legend, denomination, and "cents", leaving only a sort of brickwork pattern. The challenge: can I hold these fine lines on a copper letterpress die, and further, can I print these fine lines?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu9TnjYpfRo/Uce0LIXbCeI/AAAAAAAACKs/mLiigcN7fC8/s1600/harding+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu9TnjYpfRo/Uce0LIXbCeI/AAAAAAAACKs/mLiigcN7fC8/s320/harding+004.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had a rough time finding a plater that really understood what I needed, which was intaglio engraved fine-ness on a copper relief die. Compared to the printed work executed by Harpers Weekly, the GPO, the old Imperial Reichsdrukerei, Derbeney Paris, and other printers of the last century, mainstream Letterpress work today seems to be almost primitive. Most of the platers that do copper work seem to have become accustomed to today's artwork, and "choke" on fine cross-hatch on images that measure less than six millimeters. I made no less than four separate dies before I found a company that did a job that approached what I was looking for. When the above die arrived from Metal Magic, I was stoked! The image measures 19mm high, the portrait of Harding measures 7mm. This is truly a miniature work of art.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BcvrJbbtNwY/Uce0E-mDfBI/AAAAAAAACKc/jfCkTzi_mBU/s1600/harding+006a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BcvrJbbtNwY/Uce0E-mDfBI/AAAAAAAACKc/jfCkTzi_mBU/s320/harding+006a.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The registration marks were already on the paper, they had nothing to do with the printing of these labels. The paper that I used was a polished adhesive with a peel-and-stick back. Pulling an acceptable print was almost as hard a job as it was having the die made. This was largely owing to my own acclimatization to Lettra and deep deboss design. The first thing I did was over-ink the press. Using hard surface stock is necesary for fine detail designs, and very little ink is required. Also, very little pressure is needed to transfer the image. Since the die contains fine hatching, it is very easy to "plug" these fine lines on the die, so ink had to be applied by the littles, and brought up slowly. Packing was hard, using Red-board just beneath the tympan sheet. I did not want a 'spongey' packing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5tlL06uRqFE/Uce0DhB41lI/AAAAAAAACKU/mtlV_OJLM5w/s1600/harding+011a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5tlL06uRqFE/Uce0DhB41lI/AAAAAAAACKU/mtlV_OJLM5w/s320/harding+011a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It took me over an hour to level out the ink and adjust the packing. The die would ghost annoyingly. As it turned out, I had the rollers taped higher than usual for the last job I ran. Finding the right roller height, the right packing depth, the right level of ink, I was finally ready to finally run. The above image is the result. Compare it with the Harding and Hale stamps above. I was actually pretty pleased with the result.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pnx26CymfsY/Uce0KrY3WbI/AAAAAAAACKk/ZQyXafG0QCs/s1600/harding+014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pnx26CymfsY/Uce0KrY3WbI/AAAAAAAACKk/ZQyXafG0QCs/s320/harding+014a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I tried using Lettra and other types of Letterpress stock, just to see how it compared to the polished hard stock. I couldn't get nearly the detail. If I were to add ink to darken the image, I would sacrifice a lot of the detail. Printing on open sized papers, and printing on hard and polished stock are two different worlds! "Kiss impression" is imperative for really fine detail work. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AakA0tDIUrA/Uce0LBAMBFI/AAAAAAAACKw/ZBbiJfz-TkQ/s1600/harding+015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AakA0tDIUrA/Uce0LBAMBFI/AAAAAAAACKw/ZBbiJfz-TkQ/s320/harding+015a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The smaller the die, the harder the lock-up. Care must be taken to arrange the furniture such that the pressure focuses from the inside out. It is too easy to create a lock-up that bulges out the small center forme or die with too much pressure. In this case, the answer lie in artificially "widening" the width of the die to create a larger area on the top and bottom, to spread out the pressure.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLqYEU3qF7s/Uce0LwqucKI/AAAAAAAACK8/CIl_K48k6Qc/s1600/harding+016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLqYEU3qF7s/Uce0LwqucKI/AAAAAAAACK8/CIl_K48k6Qc/s320/harding+016a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Above is a close-up of the lock-up. The curving of the furniture is distortion from the camera's "taking" lense.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, what I re-discovered was that Letterpress Printing with an eye for detail is an art unto itself, requiring not only a fine line quality die, but also paper suitable to transfer a fine line image upon, a carefully managed level of ink to adequately cover, but not plug the detail of the die, and proper packing. All of which is considerably different than the prep work that goes into today's typical ink-and-punch work. You, know, both have a place in the Letterpress Universe, to be sure. I do a lot of "ink-and-punch", taking care not to damage my equipment, of course. But it is far more satisfying for a guy like me, who grew up with those beautifully detailed postal designs, to print images that simply speak "artisan". But then again.....if you speak "photography"..... I am an ASA-20 medium format Pan-Atomic sort of guy who lived and died by Microdol!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, if you have not already, please check out our new "<a href="http://www.paperwrenpress.com/">Paper Wren Press</a>" web site! It's still under construction, as is our business, but we are welcoming visitors. Feel free to drop me a line, too, at gary@paperwrenpress.com</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary, the Printer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xMU96lRnhk/Uce0M87aUXI/AAAAAAAACLE/FglUmRpmdFk/s1600/harding+017a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HltUKsgsp8/Uce0dUT_UvI/AAAAAAAACLM/RReSBS0ZBz0/s1600/Harding.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds0yMEAhIYw/Uce1FmH0W3I/AAAAAAAACLY/mKJ3Kv-D_oc/s1600/Nathan+Hale+Stamp.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ds0yMEAhIYw/Uce1FmH0W3I/AAAAAAAACLU/_9_dkXE7Ygc/s1600/Nathan+Hale+Stamp.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-14049533419046194762013-05-19T00:09:00.001-04:002013-05-19T00:23:45.019-04:00Paper Project: making Chris' Wedding Invitation Stock<div style="text-align: justify;">
This entry is a follow up from the Paper Wren Press Blog entry <a href="http://www.paperwrenpress.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-very-special-wedding-project.html">here</a>. I am placing this entry here on the Printer's Blog because this blog is where I keep educational and information oriented articles. If you followed the link, you will have read Part 2, the printing of the Invitation. This is Part 1, the making of the card stock used. Chris is the Groom, and wanted maximum creative involvement in the creation of his and his Bride-to-be's wedding suite. What better way than to make the paper?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j69rBijmjlQ/UZhHNBhReoI/AAAAAAAACHs/TlSGU9YQ7o0/s1600/papermaking11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j69rBijmjlQ/UZhHNBhReoI/AAAAAAAACHs/TlSGU9YQ7o0/s320/papermaking11.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Above is the home-made beater. The barrel is a sawed-off Jack Daniels Whiskey barrel, made waterproof by an inner liner. The axle of the main pulley (bicycle wheel) holds about five sickle-like blades which rotate between fixed metal vanes attached to the inner lining of the bucket, with a few tenths of an inch clearing. The paper fibers are not cut, but beaten, hydrating them. The beater wheel is belted, as you can see, to a half horse motor.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ4LzI9O7YM/UZhHUyyHn3I/AAAAAAAACH0/mle8gGvclDQ/s1600/papermaking15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ4LzI9O7YM/UZhHUyyHn3I/AAAAAAAACH0/mle8gGvclDQ/s320/papermaking15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here is Chris feeding the beater. The pulp contained burlap, cotton, and recycled printed paper, probably from an old Encyclopedia. Not....<i>too </i>old, we're not ripping up collector items. There was some plant clippings that found their way into the mix, plus some charred wood from the barrel itself.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tc-VptA9BLo/UZhHc1AEheI/AAAAAAAACH8/f13bm6ffzAA/s1600/papermaking17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tc-VptA9BLo/UZhHc1AEheI/AAAAAAAACH8/f13bm6ffzAA/s320/papermaking17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is Josh, pulling a home made mould through the mix. Josh has been working on this paper system for better part of a year, now, beginning with a self-cycling garbage disposal system, and slowly honing his system to improve his results. Chris and Josh both designed their latest beater, which actually resembles a Japanese design. Oh, and Josh made the mould and deckle. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVb0I66_IbQ/UZhHk-auPPI/AAAAAAAACIE/JEM4MjvTg9s/s1600/papermaking1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVb0I66_IbQ/UZhHk-auPPI/AAAAAAAACIE/JEM4MjvTg9s/s320/papermaking1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Josh inspecting the pull. One of the challenges was to produce something like consistent thickness, since these sheets are slated for Letterpress Printing. There is very little sizing in this mix, I think Josh mentioned adding some Calcium from charred bone. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dODlfw9oAdI/UZhHuACh5CI/AAAAAAAACIM/PwmToeytvIk/s1600/papermaking18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dODlfw9oAdI/UZhHuACh5CI/AAAAAAAACIM/PwmToeytvIk/s320/papermaking18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh pulling the mould from the deckle. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNpnjxvwf5k/UZhH34TF-7I/AAAAAAAACIU/zfGLywMa3o0/s1600/papermaking13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNpnjxvwf5k/UZhH34TF-7I/AAAAAAAACIU/zfGLywMa3o0/s320/papermaking13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Posing for the Camera. A little James Dean action here. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pPDaenf5W0/UZhH_fWDqPI/AAAAAAAACIc/m6JmXvu9SQw/s1600/papermaking4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pPDaenf5W0/UZhH_fWDqPI/AAAAAAAACIc/m6JmXvu9SQw/s320/papermaking4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Couching on the blanket. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K42UmL_aSO4/UZhIF0JLL2I/AAAAAAAACIk/1maBY3pxIiw/s1600/papermaking6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K42UmL_aSO4/UZhIF0JLL2I/AAAAAAAACIk/1maBY3pxIiw/s320/papermaking6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little forced-air help. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPgGOp0AMuE/UZhIOixIbKI/AAAAAAAACIs/TiW996-3URU/s1600/papermaking2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPgGOp0AMuE/UZhIOixIbKI/AAAAAAAACIs/TiW996-3URU/s320/papermaking2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There ya go! A good release. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ_RcERlFrA/UZhIV_0wNlI/AAAAAAAACI0/Lnmuwr8mLqg/s1600/papermaking7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ_RcERlFrA/UZhIV_0wNlI/AAAAAAAACI0/Lnmuwr8mLqg/s320/papermaking7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few hours later, and we have a lay-out ready for pressing and drying. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw7FtmPS0SQ/UZhIeYt0t8I/AAAAAAAACI8/h4zLchQZSeY/s1600/papermaking10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw7FtmPS0SQ/UZhIeYt0t8I/AAAAAAAACI8/h4zLchQZSeY/s320/papermaking10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gathering the sheets from the blanket. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCwlYFB_7SA/UZhIujrJrXI/AAAAAAAACJM/COkE3SuGmaU/s1600/papermaking16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCwlYFB_7SA/UZhIujrJrXI/AAAAAAAACJM/COkE3SuGmaU/s320/papermaking16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These sheets were pressed with metal interleaves, under the pressure of a hydraulic jack. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUmJ9KKH8lw/UZhIm8so8SI/AAAAAAAACJE/WoiKd_7LVis/s1600/papermaking8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUmJ9KKH8lw/UZhIm8so8SI/AAAAAAAACJE/WoiKd_7LVis/s320/papermaking8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chris is "candling" each sheet visually to determine which sheets to send off to <a href="http://www.paperwrenpress.com/">Paper Wren Press</a> for printing. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYy2RxfsEQc/UZhI5ay090I/AAAAAAAACJU/Fc5FvjGhT7o/s1600/papermaking14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYy2RxfsEQc/UZhI5ay090I/AAAAAAAACJU/Fc5FvjGhT7o/s320/papermaking14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And finally, the finished product. There are about one hundred 5x7" (approx) sheets here. All told, Chris and Josh made about 200 sheets, 150 of which were selected for use.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here ya go, the "behind the scenes" story. The Paper Wren Press <a href="http://www.paperwrenpress.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-very-special-wedding-project.html">blog</a> entry describes the actual printing of these sheets. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We hope you enjoyed reading this piece. All photos were taken by Chris Rupp, the paper maker is Josh Rustin, one of our local DeLand resident artisan craftsmen and artist.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-69021153468600095702013-05-06T23:37:00.000-04:002013-05-06T23:37:40.275-04:00More Kluge Information<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had committed to enter Kluge Information as I came upon it. From Brandtje & Kluge's site, I submit some general model information.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first of the Kluge Platen Presses were made in 1931. Prior to this, B&K only made the feeder for other presses. Their design goal was to build a heavy, durable, and very fast press. The two models made through the 1930s, and through WW2 were the Model M (10x15) and the Model N (12x18)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From this point on, "M" designates the 10x15 sizes, and "N" designates the 12x18.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The Model M and N presses proved an overnight success.
During the balance of the thirties, the company was producing 50 to 60
presses per month, and opened branch offices in many cities including
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Detroit, also taking
their first venture into the foreign market with exports of KLUGE
presses to India, the Philippines and Australia"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During the post WW2 boom, B&K improved their presses:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Following the war, the booming economy created an
unprecedented demand for KLUGE Automatic Presses that was met by
assembly line production of over 300 feeders per month from the St. Paul
facility. By 1946, significant improvements in inking and registration
led to the development of "MA" and "NA" models, which were in turn
replaced by the enhanced "MB" and "NB" models just two years later." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thus, we find the "MA" and "NA" series presses dating between 1946 through 1948.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The "MB" and "NB" series presses begin manufacture in 1948. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Apparently, the "B" series enjoyed a span of eleven years, from 1948 - 1959. Then, from the Kluge History page we read:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The decision to focus on its existing platen press
knowledge and expand the product's potential energized the company with a
keen sense of direction, and by 1959, Brandtjen & Kluge introduced
the Model "C" Automatic with innovative sealed ball bearings that
increased maintenance intervals and a constant speed motor drive system."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thus, the "MC" and "NC" models find their origins in 1959.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What is not clear is when the "C" series ended and the "D" series of the mid 1960s begins. Again, reading from the Kluge History page:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"This was the forerunner of KLUGE's most popular presses-the 11 X 17 and 13 X 19 "D" Series sheetfed printing presses."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The "<a href="http://youtu.be/t_czsVZ7xjA">EHD</a>" was developed in 1967, so it might be safe to put the "C" series in the early 1960s, and the "D" series in the middle 1960s, up until 1967.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The entire Kluge Story can be found <a href="http://www.kluge.biz/index.php?page=a-history-of-innovation">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-9482218482683019752013-04-23T02:56:00.001-04:002013-04-25T20:37:59.066-04:00The Kluge "Open" Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dibr2nYcWxU/UXYRqk_AGxI/AAAAAAAACBU/HyG5UhDzSzg/s1600/Kluge+025a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dibr2nYcWxU/UXYRqk_AGxI/AAAAAAAACBU/HyG5UhDzSzg/s320/Kluge+025a.jpg" width="212" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our newest press is a 10x15 "Open" Kluge Letterpress, Attempting to find information on the "Open" variety of the Kluge line of platen job presses has proven quite difficult. Canvasing printers on the various Letterpress web and listgroups proved just about as futile. In the past I've heard many an old hand - at - the - board comment about this very unique press. Oddly enough, when approached individually, these printers had to confess they no longer had theirs, and all admitted they regretted not keeping them. The comment most heard was "wow, you found one??"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In other words, this press is very elusive. And fairly rare.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, I thought that I might do with my Open Kluge what I did with my Pearl OS Model 3: post a continuum of articles and photos dedicated to the Open Kluge, if no other reason than to provide at least something for the next fella that wants to find out any sort of definitive information about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRTDhAv_wcE/UXYRP0JsacI/AAAAAAAAB_0/gVUX-BVoNbw/s1600/Kluge+003a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRTDhAv_wcE/UXYRP0JsacI/AAAAAAAAB_0/gVUX-BVoNbw/s320/Kluge+003a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
First of all, my Kluge bears the serial number of MD 105649, which places it's date of manufacture at 1965. In terms of Letterpress years, this press is just a baby. In terms of the Kluge (Brandtjen & Kluge began life as the manufacture of platen press automatic feeders in 1919, introducing their first models M and N sheet fed automatic feed letterpresses in 1931), it's a mere adolescent. By far, most Kluges out there seem to predominate in the 1940s and 1950s vintage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Probably the best way to describe the Open - is to talk a little about Kluge's primary "Automatic" platen press first. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>The "Automatic" Kluge</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Kluge Platen Job Presses were manufactured to be automatic-feed presses, the ubiquitous compressed air feeder being a signature example of early 20th century 'robotics'. Because Kluges were manufactured to be automatically / "robotically" fed, certain unique features were built into these presses. Unlike their hand-fed C&P, Colt Armory or Golding cousins, The automatics were equipped with a self registering side gauge that slid about half an inch out, so that when the feeder placed the paper on the tympan, it could slide in, pushing the paper a half inch to the right, making positive contact with the left sliding gauge and bottom gauges. It was a clever system that yielded tremendous consistency. Also, because the automatic Kluge is fed by a mechanical air-suction feeder, not by hand, the platen could close quickly. This speeds up the impression rate, making for a very fast press, with a high IPH [ 4000 impressions per hour!] rate. Of course, having an automatic feeder, the Kluges came equipped with an elevator, mounted where a feed-board would otherwise be mounted for any hand fed press. These elevators are belt controlled, the elevators lifting the feed stack for the feeder, the receiving elevator lowering for the retrieved print. The elevator mechanics are sequenced with the feeder, although from time to time I have had to manually lower and raise the elevators. Even though the Automatic Kluge is . . . <i>automatic</i>, an operator must supervise the process, and from time to time intervene with the process.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There might come a time when the operator must hand feed the Kluge Automatic: that is done by opening up the feeder, which can be swung like a door to the right, exposing the elevators. The press is slowed down to it's lowest speed, and if the operator is careful, the press can be hand fed, but since the Automatic is not geared or cammed for long dwell time (the time the platen is open so the operator can feed and draw, and still pull hands and fingers out before the platen closes), this can be a tenuous maneuver. I've done it many times, but most of the time I would "double roll" the press, throwing the impression lever off for the feed, on for the impression, and off for the pull, which means the die gets two passes of the rollers. Once I get my cadence, then I can feed each impression without manipulating the throw-off lever. To make up for the lack of a feed board, the elevators are cranked up as high as they will go. All this to say, the Automatic Kluge is a clumsy hand feeder. And a dangerous one at that. You can see me hand feeding the 12x18 Kluge Automatic at Mama's Sauce <a href="http://youtu.be/5cH2_uoRSI0">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hki5E7T2gzQ/UXYRQ-W-whI/AAAAAAAACAM/yb4Zz8FLEUc/s1600/Kluge+005s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hki5E7T2gzQ/UXYRQ-W-whI/AAAAAAAACAM/yb4Zz8FLEUc/s320/Kluge+005s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Probably the most reputable feature of the Automatic Kluge is it's ink distribution system. At first glance, one might think it's really no different than any other rotating disk platen press. And up front, it <i>is</i> basically the same. What Kluge did was keep four form rollers on all their models (the M models correspond to 10x15, N corresponds to 12x18). That alone makes for a superiour inking system, but added to these are two 'vibrator', or oscillating ink rollers, which fit atop each pair of form rollers (see photo of saddle, above). The purpose of these oscillating 'vibrator' rollers is to spread out the ink directly upon the rollers themselves. In action, the form rollers slide over the disk. As they pick up ink, each roller pair transfers the ink to their respective vibrator rollers, which oscillate from side to side, further dispersing the ink over each roller that comes into contact with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Automatic Kluge is a heavy, stout framed press with a very heavy platen that is designed to make linear contact with the type bed. Unlike the Goldings or the Heidelberg platen presses, which have a platen that opens and shuts like a door, or "clam shell", via a 'rocker' upon a stationery type bed, the Kluge shares the same basic design concept as the Chandler and Price presses, where the platen rotates to meet the type bed. The rear of the press whereupon is the type bed, is hinged at the bottom of the press, and is pulled toward the platen which is positioned to receive it. The Kluge, being a heavier press, is capable of bringing much more impression pressure to bear owing to its casting size. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mind! No letterpress is designed with deep punching or debossing! But since today's letterpress is almost defined by deep deboss, it is good to have a heavy machine. But even with the Colts Armory presses or the heavy duty Kluge, deboss must be judiciously executed. No casting is impervious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There is more detail, but I think you have a pretty good picture of the standard Kluge Automatic. Heavy press, great inking, and fast. The feeder, with the air valves alternately opening and closing, sound not unlike a locomotive. Lots of levers and cams and gears going. Vintage robotics. A veritable mechanical Smorgasbord!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bwCfAHsUPg/UXYRPqAmcEI/AAAAAAAAB_w/oFOximZ_IkQ/s1600/Kluge+002a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bwCfAHsUPg/UXYRPqAmcEI/AAAAAAAAB_w/oFOximZ_IkQ/s320/Kluge+002a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The frame of the Kluge changed with the newer "D" models, going from an open frame to an enclosed steel frame. This is not just a sheet metal covering: the body you see in the above photo IS the frame, and is quite thick. I did not mic the thickness, but it "eyeballs" at about half an inch. This harkens to the old Laureate and Half Laureate Colt Armory presses, which were also heavy bodied, not open framed. My suspicion is that Kluge saw this organization called "OSHA" on the horizon, and saw the handwriting on the wall: get those gears and cams and levers covered! Hence, the latter-day Kluges came with fendered flywheel/ motor assemblies, solid-hubbed flywheels (no spokes), skirted bull gears, enclosed bodies, oil ports circled in red, warning labels, &c.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>The Open Kluge</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b> </b> There were, and still are, circumstances where an automatically fed press is not practical. In cases like these, Brandtjen & Kluge provided a hand-fed version of their standard automatics. I believe these "open" presses were not considered a standard line item, but were special order factory custom machines. A number of features were required to change, to accommodate hand-feeding. This is where information was hard to find. I discovered from my press' prior owner, the late John Moran, that Kluge did not, apparently, print an "Open" Kluge manual. The "manual" supplied with my press by Kluge is the Automatic manual, and it is not really a service manual so much as an inventory list. None of the printers I spoke or wrote to recall seeing a specific Open Kluge manual, neither have I found one in my research (which is ongoing, btw.) I believe that if this is the case, the owner of the custom ordered "Open" simply used the Automatic manual as far as the press systems and process went, disregarded the part of the manual regarding the feeder, and went from there. This is purely my speculation in the absence of documentation or other authorative information.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The systemic differences between the Open and the Automatic Kluges are really few, and obvious. The first difference is the dwell of the platen. It stays open about twice as long as it's automatic counterpart, at least as long as a standard NS or OS C&P. The second difference is the absence of the sliding side gauge, which would be superfluous, really. After all, when we make ready with a hand-feeder, we set our side gauge pins, right?. The other obvious differences are, of course, the swivel and front feed boards. There is also a bracket beneath the main feed board which holds a utility table for oil cans, solvents, &c. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
What is retained are the high rails which extend to the top of the ink disk, the ability to carry an ink fountain, the ink disk engage/ disengage lever, and that tremendous roller/ vibrator system. The same positive-grip flywheel belting system (the flywheel is grooved to receive the drive belt, which sinks into the groove and becomes flush with the flat edge of the flywheel) and braking system is employed (see below).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpDGx7O-vjY/UXYlLr7uqmI/AAAAAAAACBk/mExniVp7nVw/s1600/Kluge+006a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpDGx7O-vjY/UXYlLr7uqmI/AAAAAAAACBk/mExniVp7nVw/s320/Kluge+006a.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The Flywheel is grooved to receive the drive belt.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5DDJ6SYfmA/UXYlMW7pgJI/AAAAAAAACBs/xWgd2G_0png/s1600/Kluge+007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5DDJ6SYfmA/UXYlMW7pgJI/AAAAAAAACBs/xWgd2G_0png/s320/Kluge+007a.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The brake shoe makes contact with the inside edge of the flywheel.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From what I can tell, the remainder of the press is the same as the Kluge Automatics. Newer model Kluges have some design changes over the older Kluges, but these changes correspond to the Open Kluges as well. Below are some features of the "new" Kluges of the 1960s, which differ from the '40s era Kluges I have known. These are all photographed from my Open Kluge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wymK3QgDouQ/UXYRPaMDA7I/AAAAAAAAB_s/7nDmZfVH0qg/s1600/Kluge+001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wymK3QgDouQ/UXYRPaMDA7I/AAAAAAAAB_s/7nDmZfVH0qg/s320/Kluge+001a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The photo above shows the ink disk cam lever, which rocks the lever you see at the end back and forth which alternately lifts the ink disk to make contact with the rollers - or allows it to rest against its bottom retainer, which causes the ink disk to lower, so the rollers do not contact the disk. The adjustable ink disk is a standard feature on all Kluge Platen Job presses.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bwCfAHsUPg/UXYRPqAmcEI/AAAAAAAAB_w/oFOximZ_IkQ/s1600/Kluge+002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRTDhAv_wcE/UXYRP0JsacI/AAAAAAAAB_0/gVUX-BVoNbw/s1600/Kluge+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCmO-RR81aI/UXYRQYQo_qI/AAAAAAAACAE/RhsMrr_FcQY/s1600/Kluge+004a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCmO-RR81aI/UXYRQYQo_qI/AAAAAAAACAE/RhsMrr_FcQY/s320/Kluge+004a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The newer Kluges went to Delrin cam rollers. One explanation was that it lessens wear, and also quiets the press considerably. I can't argue: just cycling the press by hand shows this press to be virtually noise-less. I might point out the oil port. All ports and wicks are marked in red. I might also point out that the main bearing (flywheel shaft), which my paperwork calls a "Dodge" bearing, is actually greased, as is the Bull Gear. This shaft incorporates pin bearings through the journals. The journals are oiled, as are the wicks (large oil ports containing a cotton-like fiber which serves as an oil regulator of a sort. Instead of just globing oil in the large port, the wick absorbs the oil, which eventually drains through the wick, and into the port. Clever, no? This is a feature on all Kluges of any vintage I have had party with, and I suspect the Heidelbergs and Craftsman presses have a similarl feature.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Za3xk-Ih1mk/UXYRRstvNaI/AAAAAAAACAU/oDGMogZ7Aqo/s1600/Kluge+008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Za3xk-Ih1mk/UXYRRstvNaI/AAAAAAAACAU/oDGMogZ7Aqo/s320/Kluge+008a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is an interesting bit of engineering. At least, to me. I am used to the pawl and ratchet method of advancing, or rotating the ink disk. The Kluge, at least of the latter era, uses a cam and roller system, shown above. The cam is attached to the roller harness, or bracket which swings up and down, causing the rollers to roll correspondingly. As the rollers move, the cam slides up and back against the cam roller, which toggles the lever arm it is connected to from one side to the other, left to right to left.. The end of the lever (which has the oil port marked in red) makes contact with the base of the ink disk.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xP1zjjYNI4c/UXYRSPoMgBI/AAAAAAAACAY/ehcNKS2xv6Y/s1600/Kluge+009a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xP1zjjYNI4c/UXYRSPoMgBI/AAAAAAAACAY/ehcNKS2xv6Y/s320/Kluge+009a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can see the thumbscrew adjustment screw to the right of the bracket. I am not sure, but I believe this controls the advance, or degree of rotation of the disk.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Po5La2mHjhM/UXYRStWurpI/AAAAAAAACAg/uHgwUO_WxS4/s1600/Kluge+010a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Po5La2mHjhM/UXYRStWurpI/AAAAAAAACAg/uHgwUO_WxS4/s320/Kluge+010a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It looks like the toggle lever is in contact with a rotating bracket, which rests upon a set screw, which, in turn, seems to determine the drop of the ink disk. The ink disk itself appears to rest inside this rotating bracket, more than likely held in place by a key and slot.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KU1S5_HO1U/UXYRTb4gO6I/AAAAAAAACAs/7QbLvKg8wRE/s1600/Kluge+014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KU1S5_HO1U/UXYRTb4gO6I/AAAAAAAACAs/7QbLvKg8wRE/s320/Kluge+014a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here you can see the toggle moved from left to right, advancing the rotation about two degrees or so. There is also a spring retainer which appears to provide counter pressure, so the disk cannot free-wheel. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCijRZzjG9k/UXYRUtrnxDI/AAAAAAAACA0/_ccICDBhN-0/s1600/Kluge+016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCijRZzjG9k/UXYRUtrnxDI/AAAAAAAACA0/_ccICDBhN-0/s320/Kluge+016a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The motor has yet to be mounted. I have to wait for the doctor to give me an "all clear" to lift anything over ten pounds. I am still recovering from surgery. But hey, I can still press the button of a camera! Here, the motor is mounted on top of the assembly (1 hp), and is belted to the lower shaft which holds the pulley bearing. The base contains a threaded journal which, when turned, slides the assembly back and forth. This, in turn, is connected to a long rod with a crank handle on the end, which protrudes under the feed-board. This is the speed control.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAGWt8IzYgc/UXYRVFe9LRI/AAAAAAAACA8/oJFIoV_YNO8/s1600/Kluge+017a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAGWt8IzYgc/UXYRVFe9LRI/AAAAAAAACA8/oJFIoV_YNO8/s320/Kluge+017a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A closer look at the pulley section of the drive box. This unit is bolted to the front left foot of the press. I will learn more about how this system actually changes speed when I bolt it up.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xB-bJIxQ7hY/UXYRkYVXi-I/AAAAAAAACBE/kFyL9b525f4/s1600/Kluge+018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xB-bJIxQ7hY/UXYRkYVXi-I/AAAAAAAACBE/kFyL9b525f4/s320/Kluge+018a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is another close up of the bottom bracket</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hIdJjzU1TAA/UXYRlL2VP0I/AAAAAAAACBM/n9X74hg85fk/s1600/Kluge+019a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hIdJjzU1TAA/UXYRlL2VP0I/AAAAAAAACBM/n9X74hg85fk/s320/Kluge+019a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can see, the motor rests on a hinge which raises and lowers via a set screw.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, folks, this is all I have for now on the Open Kluge. I hope this provides at least a little information and insight into this rare but exceptional press. And thanks to Mr. John Moran, who spent a life as an exceptional printer of note, well known among the printers of Michigan, for enabling me to "pass the torch", with this press. I will endeavor to take as good care of it as you did, John. And thanks for the kind words from Mary Amy, who might be sending a photo of John, so I can have it in the shop as a memorial. I must say, Dave Seat mentioned to me that a member of the family commented that one of the last things John did in this life was finish up the inventory list of this press and associated apparatus for me. Thanks also to Dave and Beth Seat for rigging and hauling this press down for me. Wow, we have a great bunch of folks in the Letterpress community!<br />
<br />
Good Providence in all your Letterpress Endeavors!<br />
<br />
-gary.<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-2852091619984908892013-04-16T02:50:00.001-04:002013-04-16T02:50:15.154-04:00Introducing Paper Wren Press!<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You may have noticed the new tab. That's because G. Johanson Letterpress now has a production and business name under which our products will now be sold, <a href="http://www.paperwrenpress.blogspot.com/">Paper Wren Press</a>. It's still me, only now my daughter and my sweet wife (who has a bit more sense than your's truly!) are officially part of the warp and woof of our operation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, even though it's in it early development, hop on over to Paper Wren Press and check it out. It's got pretty much the same feel as this blog, only it will be more product oriented.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I will continue to maintain this blog (G. Johanson, Letterpress) as an educational and letterpress activities site, only without the emphasis on product and pricing, although I always share what's hot off the press, or any activities or organizational things that may be happening.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, that's about it for now, folks. New Company, Paper Wren Press, and keeping the old Blog as it is. I hope it won't be too confusing. Feedback is always welcome, btw.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, one more thing: G. Johanson will be maintaining the Etsy Shop under the name G. Johanson, Letterpress. Paper Wren Press will be marketing in other venues.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good Providence to you all.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary, the Printer.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-15416156215930911102013-02-25T17:04:00.000-05:002013-03-05T22:45:15.655-05:00The Florida Letterpress Inaugural Wayzgoose!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mPJ5PAIw_E/USuzTLoNiYI/AAAAAAAAB2k/81dPC3nvu6c/s1600/Wayzgoose+038a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mPJ5PAIw_E/USuzTLoNiYI/AAAAAAAAB2k/81dPC3nvu6c/s320/Wayzgoose+038a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, it came quick, and ended all too soon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It began as an idea that I posted on the Florida Letterpress Yahoo Group's list page. Gosh, there really are no Letterpress Wayzgoose events happening down in the Deep South. Why not put one together here in the Sunshine State? TBAS Letterpress Coordinator Carl Nudi and Director Prof. Richard Mathews agreed! That's what started the ball rolling. Carl and Richard run the University of Tampa's Tampa Book Arts Studio, or "TBAS". Thus, the show was <i>on</i>. We were privileged to have many guest speakers, demonstrators, artisans of several disciplines which find commonality in what we call the "Black Arts". There were about thirty in attendance, beside the speakers and feature demonstrators.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was a full Saturday, and for my daughter (Anna Coleman) and me, it started Friday morning at 9 am. We arrived to help Carl set up, get things into register, and on my part, to get the platen press ready to print, and compose something to print with. Finally, after a long day, Anna and I drove up to New Port Richey to stay with some good friends, who came to the Wayzgoose with us on the following day, Rebekah and Alton Shady. (In on of my Fall entries, there is a video of Alton is running his own wedding stationery on one of my presses.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here is how Saturday went: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We convened at 10am for coffee, cookies, and introductions. This was our <b>"Chappel Meeting"</b>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From 10:30 - 11am,, we featured:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Intertype typesetting</b>, with Henry Wehle and Don Black, offering a neat souvenir line with a penny cast inside! <i>Hey, Don!</i> That's what I call "Heavy Metal", wot?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
-a <b>Bookbinding Demo,</b> with our new resident artist from Asheville NC, Bridget Elmer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-C&P Platen Press Printing</b> with your's truly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Handpress Printing </b>on the 1848 Hoe & Co. Washington press, which belonged to woodcut artist and illustrator J.J. Lankes, printing a keepsake from an original Lankes cut.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From 11 - 11:30 we featured:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Letterpress at the Peter Pauper Press, </b>a presentations created by J.B. Dobkin and Sean Donnelly, covering the early printing at Peter Pauper Press, utilizing editions from the TBAS Special Collections, and presenting a new book on the subject printed by the University of Tampa Press. This was the official release, and copies sold were signed by the authors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Vandercook Press Printing </b>demo, Bridget and Director Mathews producing a "duotone" print, a two colour key + colour (red) print from one of Donahue Publishers original childrens storybook publications from around 1914. The story of the recovery of these Donahue Electrotypes by Les Feller is the stuff of Indiana Jones! Traipsing through abandoned buildings being demolished, finding at the last minute a vault, whoo man! Grabbing all these priceless treasures under the shadow of a wrecking ball, who said Letterpress wasn't exciting?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Intertype typesetting</b>, again with Henry and Don.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Ludlow typesetting</b>, with Carl Nudio. I got a crash course on this the day before, and was able to cast my mini-broadside for the Platen Press, take off the spurs, true up the lines on a Hammond Glide Saw, and spoil myself rotton doing my very first line cast lock-up! Man, I wanna Ludlow! Oh, and a Hammond Glider. Oh, and hey, a Supersurfacer might come in handy. Just sayin' . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We had lunch from noon till one, with several eateries to choose from in the local area.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From 1-2pm we spotlighted:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Papermaking & Bookarts,</b> with artists Peter and Donna Thomas. I wish I had time to photograph the 'gypsy wagon' they came with! Here we got to see the Holland Beater in action, as Peter made a sheep of paper before our eyes! On display as well were the samples of work done by Peter and Donna, who have been book artists for over 30 years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Paste Paper</b> with Kendra Frorup of the University of Tampa Art Deptartment. This was an interactive demo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-C&P Platen Press Printing</b>, me again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Monotype casting,</b> featuring Rich Hopkins, casting ornaments from "Orphan Annie", TBAS's Monotype caster.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>-Vandercook Press Printing,</b> With Bridget Elmer and Richard Mathews</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From 2-2:30, Rich Hopkins gave an excellent talk on <b><i><u>Tolbert Lanston and the Monotype, the Origins of Digital Type Setting</u></i>.</b> An amazing insight into an amazing machine constructed in an amazing era of iron and steam. Richard featured materials from his book which bears the above title. Richard autographed copies for us here at the Wayzgoose!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The rest of the day interleaved various portions of the above features, so everyone had a chance to see just about everything we offered. We adjourned at 4pm, however, afterward we who staffed the event were treated to a mini concert by Peter Thomas, featuring <i>Letterpress Folk-songs That Few If Any Really Know. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And now, the <i>photos!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAVB_tBRnSQ/USuy-tpFAjI/AAAAAAAABzg/HOW47EzWPfA/s1600/Wayzgoose+004a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAVB_tBRnSQ/USuy-tpFAjI/AAAAAAAABzg/HOW47EzWPfA/s320/Wayzgoose+004a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Carl Nudi showing how to set mats in a Ludlow self centering stick.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAyppF1LA28/USuy_z02tDI/AAAAAAAABzo/P_d_r_OFsKc/s1600/Wayzgoose+006a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAyppF1LA28/USuy_z02tDI/AAAAAAAABzo/P_d_r_OFsKc/s320/Wayzgoose+006a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bridget Elmer's Book Binding demo table.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLpHvaCZOXU/USuy_6YTUoI/AAAAAAAABzs/QLKC9SI0OzI/s1600/Wayzgoose+001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLpHvaCZOXU/USuy_6YTUoI/AAAAAAAABzs/QLKC9SI0OzI/s320/Wayzgoose+001a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anna helps Carl set up and proof with the shop's 1947 Vandercook.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HxYPnwzDyN4/USuzBXeR9UI/AAAAAAAABz4/AcT43aicf_I/s1600/Wayzgoose+007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HxYPnwzDyN4/USuzBXeR9UI/AAAAAAAABz4/AcT43aicf_I/s320/Wayzgoose+007a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Henry Wehle, and part of Don Black's arm. I think they were describing the same thing.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiNe4iB5HU4/USuzDChpBeI/AAAAAAAAB0A/B2rWti5xt28/s1600/Wayzgoose+009a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiNe4iB5HU4/USuzDChpBeI/AAAAAAAAB0A/B2rWti5xt28/s320/Wayzgoose+009a.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whew! I finally got the mini-broadside straight! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HLFfvumXMA/USuzE1yav4I/AAAAAAAAB0U/rbvCN1zf574/s1600/Wayzgoose+008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HLFfvumXMA/USuzE1yav4I/AAAAAAAAB0U/rbvCN1zf574/s320/Wayzgoose+008a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don, Henry, and Rich chat with Matthew, one of our Letterpress guests, while he looks at an Intertype-set type line. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kCSpEBRoes/USuzF8SlFyI/AAAAAAAAB0g/I4TEmXFAF0M/s1600/Wayzgoose+014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kCSpEBRoes/USuzF8SlFyI/AAAAAAAAB0g/I4TEmXFAF0M/s320/Wayzgoose+014a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peter Thomas feeds the Holland Beater at the paper making demo. This was an awesome highlight. Thanks, Peter and Donna!! Next time, I'll get some shots of the Gypsy Wagon!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TayLRwbZcc/USuzHJeNGCI/AAAAAAAAB0s/0AbkYW6qNCQ/s1600/Wayzgoose+017a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TayLRwbZcc/USuzHJeNGCI/AAAAAAAAB0s/0AbkYW6qNCQ/s320/Wayzgoose+017a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did I wear my pants inside out? Alton and Rebekah are not sure....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYbVYf3rdNg/USuzIv-3ApI/AAAAAAAAB00/7_r_bDkZMUc/s1600/Wayzgoose+016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYbVYf3rdNg/USuzIv-3ApI/AAAAAAAAB00/7_r_bDkZMUc/s320/Wayzgoose+016a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anna caught me at the Paper Making demo with cap in "press position".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngzc3awrlos/USuzI5U2BhI/AAAAAAAAB1A/kdjdgmeqcq0/s1600/Wayzgoose+018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngzc3awrlos/USuzI5U2BhI/AAAAAAAAB1A/kdjdgmeqcq0/s320/Wayzgoose+018a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peter opens the deckle to remove the paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fk_4UUrn6n4/USuzK0KgzBI/AAAAAAAAB1U/0OZD3MjGt9Y/s1600/Wayzgoose+020a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fk_4UUrn6n4/USuzK0KgzBI/AAAAAAAAB1U/0OZD3MjGt9Y/s320/Wayzgoose+020a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which is then pressed (using a car jack!) The "paper press", essentially a heavy wire cage, a car jack and a board, is behind the beater.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NO--_l3gLrw/USuzLlIj7AI/AAAAAAAAB1c/gY_jkJ-QWB8/s1600/Wayzgoose+023a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NO--_l3gLrw/USuzLlIj7AI/AAAAAAAAB1c/gY_jkJ-QWB8/s320/Wayzgoose+023a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Removing pellon and felt </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvNFLAtVqhk/USuzM7TWCtI/AAAAAAAAB1o/eJwSYL91CV0/s1600/Wayzgoose+027a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvNFLAtVqhk/USuzM7TWCtI/AAAAAAAAB1o/eJwSYL91CV0/s320/Wayzgoose+027a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Helping things along for demo's sake with a hot iron.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LU_5nS9XsQ8/USuzPHr1kjI/AAAAAAAAB18/UJB73i7VlbE/s1600/Wayzgoose+031a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LU_5nS9XsQ8/USuzPHr1kjI/AAAAAAAAB18/UJB73i7VlbE/s320/Wayzgoose+031a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Voila'! The finished product!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yflfQXjexTc/USuzRzwJAxI/AAAAAAAAB2c/_ieS0ypxx1Q/s1600/Wayzgoose+037a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yflfQXjexTc/USuzRzwJAxI/AAAAAAAAB2c/_ieS0ypxx1Q/s320/Wayzgoose+037a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anna cast her and her husband's name on the Ludlow in condensed Bodoni Bold.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma03pZS8Gkw/USuzTiHJYQI/AAAAAAAAB2s/o87BTB64cr0/s1600/Wayzgoose+034a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma03pZS8Gkw/USuzTiHJYQI/AAAAAAAAB2s/o87BTB64cr0/s320/Wayzgoose+034a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bridget is here running the red Donahue electrotype on the smaller Vandy.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_UyEh5Fhvo/USuzU2C58_I/AAAAAAAAB28/9KTY9gxxJWU/s1600/Wayzgoose+036a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_UyEh5Fhvo/USuzU2C58_I/AAAAAAAAB28/9KTY9gxxJWU/s320/Wayzgoose+036a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey, Alton! You seem rather absorbed in the Ludlow!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aL8xaqUseDc/USuzUhhktVI/AAAAAAAAB20/IbIdUrqrEwU/s1600/Wayzgoose+039a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aL8xaqUseDc/USuzUhhktVI/AAAAAAAAB20/IbIdUrqrEwU/s320/Wayzgoose+039a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the souvenir sheet pulled from the 1848 "Lankes" Washington press.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjsOAX8c9m8/USuzWaZo0EI/AAAAAAAAB3E/n8FAKVwFNMM/s1600/Wayzgoose+041a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjsOAX8c9m8/USuzWaZo0EI/AAAAAAAAB3E/n8FAKVwFNMM/s320/Wayzgoose+041a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the mini-broadside pulled from the C&P that I was running.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3ehotPMfrU/USuzXrjtaxI/AAAAAAAAB3M/jBk_2_Ik_YA/s1600/Wayzgoose+040a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3ehotPMfrU/USuzXrjtaxI/AAAAAAAAB3M/jBk_2_Ik_YA/s320/Wayzgoose+040a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And this is the souvenir sheet Broadside from the two Vandercooks. Originally, the other two colours, cyan and yellow would have been run for a four-colour print as it was done originally in 1914. However for practicality's sake, we thought to limit it to two colours, key black and red.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At this point, let me sign off with a short video that Anna and I took at the Wayzgoose. We could not cover everything because of my responsibilities that day, but between us, we at least caught the feel of the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3X9fPfpbI74?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
That's it from the Florida Letterpress' Inaugural Wayzgoose. See what happens when you pop an idea? It just might . . . . . happen!<br />
<br />
<br />
-gary.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-204973460795349502012-12-13T01:36:00.002-05:002012-12-13T01:55:21.479-05:00"Dala Horse" Holiday Drink Coasters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RO7cP2PfJ4g/UMlns7eqv4I/AAAAAAAAByw/z6_9QTWpYD4/s1600/Dalahorse+coater+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RO7cP2PfJ4g/UMlns7eqv4I/AAAAAAAAByw/z6_9QTWpYD4/s320/Dalahorse+coater+011.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our new Holiday Coasters! The design is non other than the Swedish "Dala Hesten", or "Dala Horse". This design was originally created by Anna Coleman for her own personal Christmas Cards (see last installment), but we couldn't resist setting up a holly border from our foundry metal type collection, surround the horse with it, and printing it on 2.0 mm thick square coaster stock. We think it turned out nicely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s96KA3m8dU/UMlnvuXK3GI/AAAAAAAABy4/mSMoYHkU3Ws/s1600/Dalahorse+coater+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s96KA3m8dU/UMlnvuXK3GI/AAAAAAAABy4/mSMoYHkU3Ws/s320/Dalahorse+coater+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Each card is individually hand fed twice, one for each colour. Since this is a hard surface pulp stock, special measures had to be taken in order to effectively print upon it, leaving a suitable impression and deboss, without cracking the board. The solution was to expose each card to steam before impression. Each card had to be held over rising steam, which provided just enough dampness to create a nice transfer of ink from the metal die - to the coaster. No machine does this. It must be done by hand, under a careful and watchful eye.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IBR9sA3JnVw/UMlnn9Zra2I/AAAAAAAAByg/B34xaLcs8hY/s1600/Dalahorse+coater+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IBR9sA3JnVw/UMlnn9Zra2I/AAAAAAAAByg/B34xaLcs8hY/s320/Dalahorse+coater+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a bit of a close-up, showing the cast holly border with corner bells. If you are reading about Anna's Dala Horse design for the first time, I go into it in greater detail on my last posting on this blog, covering Anna's Christmas Card design.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig67OWQ5ELk/UMlnyXspZ6I/AAAAAAAABzA/9rDrSOW9YJU/s1600/Dalahorse+coater+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig67OWQ5ELk/UMlnyXspZ6I/AAAAAAAABzA/9rDrSOW9YJU/s320/Dalahorse+coater+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These coasters will be sold in sets of ten from our <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/118015962/dala-horse-swedish-folk-art-holiday">Etsy Shop</a>. If you have not visited our shop, stop on by. We've only just started Etsy, so we have only our Christmas Card and Dala Horse Coaster set available to date. Take advantage of direct on-line purchasing through our on-line store!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqctUhm4PS4/UMlnqDxYd0I/AAAAAAAAByo/VZU15NJ60fQ/s1600/Dalahorse+coater+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqctUhm4PS4/UMlnqDxYd0I/AAAAAAAAByo/VZU15NJ60fQ/s320/Dalahorse+coater+008.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I would like to point out that the Dala Horse is not simply a "Christmas" Horse! The Dala Horse is a year-round display of Swedish Folk Art. The coasters you see are displayed in a Christmas Seasonal display, but they can be used the whole winter season long. They are not necessarily a Christmas design, rather, what I might call a "winter" design, or an ethnic Swedish design.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, that's what is new here at G. Johanson, Letterpress. Best of Providence in all your Christmas Endeavors!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-38602584207875517852012-11-26T22:58:00.004-05:002012-11-26T23:11:14.858-05:00Anna's Dala Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5z7rtVFVuY/ULQ1OW5OHDI/AAAAAAAABxw/Jsl75hNke-M/s1600/Dalahorse+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5z7rtVFVuY/ULQ1OW5OHDI/AAAAAAAABxw/Jsl75hNke-M/s320/Dalahorse+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">My daughter, designer/artist Anna Coleman, decided to go simple, almost minimalist with her Christmas Cards for this Holidy Season. Her subject: the Dala Horse.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My father's half of the family came to this country around 1900. They came from the Nora District, not far from where these wooden horses are made. Our home has always had at least two to three of these horses. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Dala Horse has a history dating back at least to 1800, some historians crediting soldiers, who at the time were quartered in private homes in this district, for the first of these horses. They were carved in their spare time and given as gifts to their residential hosts. More than likely, they were given to the kids, but in time, they became replicated by the local woodsmiths, where they became part of the folk art of the region.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uB53xti9wjw/ULQ1QZdYUPI/AAAAAAAABx4/NrsY2yJoUV0/s1600/Dalahorse+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uB53xti9wjw/ULQ1QZdYUPI/AAAAAAAABx4/NrsY2yJoUV0/s320/Dalahorse+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Dala Horse is actually a very primitively cut horse design, carved from a block of wood, usually some sort of ash or poplar. Perhaps clear, dried pine or spruce. They are given a base colouring, usually either orange, white, blue, and even yellow and black. Then the decorations are applied in a manner not unlike tole painting. When dried, the horses are heavily lacquered. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3KsegQ8sus/ULQ1SOlQkdI/AAAAAAAAByA/og1qCIcLE2Q/s1600/Dalahorse+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3KsegQ8sus/ULQ1SOlQkdI/AAAAAAAAByA/og1qCIcLE2Q/s320/Dalahorse+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anna's Christmas card is printed in a "Brick Red" oil based ink. They are single coloured, without text, both within and without. The stock used is Neenah Classic Laid light grey card stock. Size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches (A2, fold-over). She ran these as a Limited Edition. Anna is still deciding on package quantity and prices. When this is determined, I will post these cards on Etsy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's it for now. I might add that Anna actually printed these herself, from my own home Studio/ Shop press. She also did the fold scoring. Dad helped.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good Providence in all your Holiday/ Christmas endeavors!<br />
<br />
<br />
-gary.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-37401904829155134242012-11-25T14:16:00.000-05:002012-11-25T14:18:34.215-05:00Grand Opening! G. Johanson, Letterpress has an Etsy Shop!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4vDweAmC6g/ULJuOSUDZoI/AAAAAAAABxU/Avb9HIdhN94/s1600/gary3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4vDweAmC6g/ULJuOSUDZoI/AAAAAAAABxU/Avb9HIdhN94/s320/gary3.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi, Folks! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I know I sure did!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a milestone for us at G. Johanson, Letterpress. It is also part of a strategy to get our shop out there in the public eye on a shoestring budget. Since I do not have a "brick and mortar" store - and it may be some time before I can become one - Etsy will do. Since our work has been entirely commission business, there is not a lot of what one might call "product". I have the Christmas Card. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But it's a start. You can visit it by clicking <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115895279/artisan-letterpress-printed-christmas">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also provide a link on the right hand side "Links Within and Without" section.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope to feature more product as I can produce them. But you will always have a head's up first on this blog, because this is where all the cool behind the scenes stories are!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks for visiting, and if you want some cool limited edition Christmas Greeting cards that speak to the Old World, and are real limited edition prints, I am set up for direct on-line payment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Top o'th' Holidays to you all, and Good Providence in your upcoming Celebrations!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-205373273880990382012-11-19T16:11:00.002-05:002012-12-08T23:54:40.626-05:00Limited Edition Christmas Cards: "Christmastide 2012"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ugSsbLbx68/UKpATSWtyFI/AAAAAAAABvk/scjC_qAfK5E/s1600/Christmastide2012+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ugSsbLbx68/UKpATSWtyFI/AAAAAAAABvk/scjC_qAfK5E/s320/Christmastide2012+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As a tradition, G. Johanson, Letterpress, has always looked to the "Old World" during Christmastime for ideas in graphic design. My art background is rooted in Germany, where I took my first steps in the Arts, both in Calligraphy, Printmaking, and Music. Surrounded by over a millenia of culture, 600 years of printmaking, lettering, bookmaking, I lived and breathed the examples of this amazing art set before me. In particular I fell in love with the <i>Woodcut</i>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This year, I sought to carry this Old World Spirit of the Season in our Christmas Cards for 2012. For this year's offering, we honour the Nativity and the Legend of the Three Kings with an illustration from the book "Legend of the Holy Three Kings". Just how "Holy" the Magi, who were in fact Zoarastrians, actually were, might be in doubt, but there is <i>no </i>doubt that these priests were, in their land, called the "King Makers". What they presented to Jesus when they finally found Him - following the prophesies of the Torah and their own understanding of the Star map - were the very same gifts they would present during the inauguration of their own rulers. They were, in fact, pronouncing Jesus as <i>King</i>. This is why the visit of the Magi was so remarkable. And this remarkable-ness was not lost upon King Herod, desperately seeking to secure his own Throne. This was why the Magi stopped by Herod's palace: they qualified as a Diplomatic legation. Their's was not a simple interest visit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MGLX0yoegl0/UKpAYnKvtRI/AAAAAAAABvs/Z775Nhs8Bzo/s1600/Christmastide2012+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MGLX0yoegl0/UKpAYnKvtRI/AAAAAAAABvs/Z775Nhs8Bzo/s320/Christmastide2012+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This cut shows the Magi presenting the King with the specified gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The official capacity in which these priests presented themselves was not only indicated by their gifts, but in the way they presented themselves. They were beholding, in their estimation, a genuine King. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Above is a close-up of the metal die, adapted from the original cut, cast in magnesium by Owosso graphics to my specifications.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCS0M0xG4YA/UKpAcYoBjrI/AAAAAAAABv0/Dn7fwtez8nQ/s1600/Christmastide2012+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCS0M0xG4YA/UKpAcYoBjrI/AAAAAAAABv0/Dn7fwtez8nQ/s320/Christmastide2012+006.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I love the way a metal die looks before ink is applied. What you are viewing here is the black, or "key" die, which serves as the primary registration device. The die is wood mounted. Three dies were used in the production of this card, plus the handset "Colophon" on the reverse. The inside area is left blank. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9UInp8gPaI/UKpAeywIjGI/AAAAAAAABv8/TyyhZqhf9o4/s1600/Christmastide2012+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9UInp8gPaI/UKpAeywIjGI/AAAAAAAABv8/TyyhZqhf9o4/s320/Christmastide2012+011.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here is the finished result. These are A2 sized (4.25 x 5.5 in.) printed on a very elegant off-white stock that has the look and feel of handmade paper. The envelopes are matching.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfNLd67PCp0/UKpA3toQHXI/AAAAAAAABwE/8QTgreE9WWE/s1600/Christmastide2012+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfNLd67PCp0/UKpA3toQHXI/AAAAAAAABwE/8QTgreE9WWE/s320/Christmastide2012+012.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The image is obviously from antiquity: the Adoration of the Magi, from "The Legend of the Holy Three Kings", a woodcut illustration from the book printed in Modena, Italy, dating 1490. Two years before Columbus set sail! The verse surrounding the image comes from the King James Authorised version, the angelic announcement to the shepherds. Maltese crosses adorn the corners.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xk6dwMNzO8/UKpA5r8qjNI/AAAAAAAABwM/NRFq8Zq4IQE/s1600/Christmastide2012+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xk6dwMNzO8/UKpA5r8qjNI/AAAAAAAABwM/NRFq8Zq4IQE/s320/Christmastide2012+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The text on the back of the card is Caslon OS 337, the very same font that serves Colonial Williamsburg, cast from the same foundry.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EY48delB5DY/UKpA7WWlX5I/AAAAAAAABwU/oQsunjXVDR0/s1600/Christmastide2012+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EY48delB5DY/UKpA7WWlX5I/AAAAAAAABwU/oQsunjXVDR0/s320/Christmastide2012+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Legend is printed in Gold oil base. All my inks are flax-seed based ink. This particular gold is Van Son specialty ink, which cost a small fortune. Very nearly $80.00 per pound. But oh, is it nice. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJWKynQOnAM/UKpA-sUYYwI/AAAAAAAABwc/jrg95SH2F2Y/s1600/Christmastide2012+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJWKynQOnAM/UKpA-sUYYwI/AAAAAAAABwc/jrg95SH2F2Y/s320/Christmastide2012+018.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The original image had what appears to be burrs on the outer border line. The lines are not exactly parallel. It was cut purely by eye, 512 years ago, possibly with a straight edge knife. I had the option of cleaning up and straightening the lines, but I resisted this temptation. This is a hand wrought work of art in it's originality, and I wanted to preserve that feel as much as possible. These are never to be seen as flaws. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OaqB04QrLlA/UKpBAo8tT0I/AAAAAAAABwk/zm7WaqUDHms/s1600/Christmastide2012+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OaqB04QrLlA/UKpBAo8tT0I/AAAAAAAABwk/zm7WaqUDHms/s320/Christmastide2012+019.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Christmastide" is an old term, referring to the period between Nativity to Epiphany, alternately, Heilig Drei Könige, or Three Kings Day. It's the same as "Yuletide". Unlike the typical American celebration of the Day, my background culture calls for the celebration of the <i>Season</i>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qE_1TVVMOf8/UKpBDQv3TxI/AAAAAAAABws/5PWg8l8IHsg/s1600/Christmastide2012+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qE_1TVVMOf8/UKpBDQv3TxI/AAAAAAAABws/5PWg8l8IHsg/s320/Christmastide2012+021.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
G. Johanson Letterpress plans to add to this edition each Christmastide, featuring a traditional woodcut typical of the Incunabula period of printing and bookmaking. These will be limited edition, each edition limited to 200 prints. There may be two editions per year depending upon demand. At this point, I have printed only one edition of these cards.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7S9ql5-ueoM/UKpBFEKQVaI/AAAAAAAABw0/HhIF-nW3CK4/s1600/Christmastide2012+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7S9ql5-ueoM/UKpBFEKQVaI/AAAAAAAABw0/HhIF-nW3CK4/s320/Christmastide2012+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If you are interested in purchasing these cards while available, (and take advantage of direct on-line payment!) visit my new Etsy Shop by clicking <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115895279/letterpress-printed-christmas-card">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
That's it for now. Stay tuned for our next installment! And the very best of the Thanksgiving Season to you all, from Gary and Staff at G. Johanson, Letterpress!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-58963887047966041112012-10-29T00:39:00.002-04:002012-10-29T10:19:08.441-04:00Isabel's Open House!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8IHKu4-izY/UI383qbSvOI/AAAAAAAABvI/vCsi76PM6lA/s1600/October27+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8IHKu4-izY/UI383qbSvOI/AAAAAAAABvI/vCsi76PM6lA/s320/October27+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Some of you may recall the installment on this blog, where I hosted a one-on-one workshop with Isabel, chief cook and bottle washer for <a href="http://9thletterpress.com/">9th Letter Press</a>, who recently held an open house on their premises in Winter Park, Florida. Isabel is a talented artist / artisan, designing her own stationery, printing commissioned items as well, such as wedding announcements and other ephemera. Her location is just three blocks shy of Fairbanks, on Orange Avenue. In fact, not far from the birthplace of both <a href="http://riflepaperco.com/">Rifle Paper Co</a>. and <a href="http://www.mamas-sauce.com/about-mama/">Mama's Sauce</a>. Right where I lived as a high-schooler, and on the same road where I found my first job in the Printing Biz, Robinson Press, forty years ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgocUD3TQrw/UI38PEosIyI/AAAAAAAABt0/Tp3TLDROyeE/s1600/October27+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgocUD3TQrw/UI38PEosIyI/AAAAAAAABt0/Tp3TLDROyeE/s320/October27+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There were many in attendance, and among the fellowship of local print artisans were educators, calligraphers, <a href="http://riflepaperco.com/">Anna & Nate from Rifle</a>, <a href="http://www.bellafigura.com/designers/hanna.html">Sarah from Bella Figura</a>, her mom, who is a fellow calligrapher. In fact, I spent almost half my time talking to Sarah's parents. Also there were Isabel and Sheli's family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZtIXfylqS8/UI38Rsfu_YI/AAAAAAAABt8/qO20v2-FQdo/s1600/October27+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZtIXfylqS8/UI38Rsfu_YI/AAAAAAAABt8/qO20v2-FQdo/s320/October27+010.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Cecilia, Isabel's mother, is responsible for the awesome hors d'oevres, show in these photos. I spent a considerable time in conversation with Isabel's parents (as her former instructor, I had to give them their kid's report card, y'know!)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGFXJpwTEdU/UI38UAQjIJI/AAAAAAAABuE/6op9j3iGnq0/s1600/October27+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGFXJpwTEdU/UI38UAQjIJI/AAAAAAAABuE/6op9j3iGnq0/s320/October27+011.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cecilia, if you're reading this: next time you come a'baking, and I find out about it, I'm there!! You can cater my open house any day of the week! See these pumpkin cupcakes? Tooo dye for!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uECHadktyyY/UI38WRENzoI/AAAAAAAABuM/4fyHERrPQ7U/s1600/October27+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uECHadktyyY/UI38WRENzoI/AAAAAAAABuM/4fyHERrPQ7U/s320/October27+012.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This 110 year old Iron Horse is "St. Peter", guardian of the Shop. He is an 1890s vintage Chandler & Price "Old Series" 10x15 platen "job" press, which does literally all of Isabel's impressions. We worked on her from out of Isabel's garage for a time, bringing her into serviceable condition. That was a story in and of itself! St Peter is powered by a 1/2 horse Marathon Farm Motor (just like my New Series 10x15, soon to become property of yet another Letterpress Studio in Land o' Lakes, Melissa, of Creative Brainbuzz/) </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDbzQmAbh2A/UI38X3cWwYI/AAAAAAAABuU/1slBGjsWO8M/s1600/October27+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDbzQmAbh2A/UI38X3cWwYI/AAAAAAAABuU/1slBGjsWO8M/s320/October27+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I must say, there had to be at least 250 people both inside the studio, and overflowing out into the parking area where tables were set up. My goal last night was to master the art of 'strategic standing', so as not to get in anybody's way.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BiKlLw6LXs/UI38Zi6d0SI/AAAAAAAABuc/91ATONRiSzE/s1600/October27+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BiKlLw6LXs/UI38Zi6d0SI/AAAAAAAABuc/91ATONRiSzE/s320/October27+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ah, yes. Let's see: White and Red Zinfandel (?), South Hampton Pumpkin Ale - that was surprisingly good, plus another brew on pump, seemed to be an IPA of some type. The center dispenser has Harry Potter's Pumpking Juice. Beverage to Spike the Nite for our Delight! -<i> with due paraphrase apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bv7woNZAu60/UI38bXLSXzI/AAAAAAAABuk/aTpJrCoFE8Y/s1600/October27+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bv7woNZAu60/UI38bXLSXzI/AAAAAAAABuk/aTpJrCoFE8Y/s320/October27+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several trips to and fro the snacks, the beverages, the conversation, meeting faces again, and for the first time, hugging necks, meeting spouses, it was a great event. I was glad our local resident hurricane Sandy decided to blow out, and drop down excellent weather for the evening.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-es27-wKQ4f8/UI38dPLWViI/AAAAAAAABuw/l2ihsoN1nII/s1600/October27+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-es27-wKQ4f8/UI38dPLWViI/AAAAAAAABuw/l2ihsoN1nII/s320/October27+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think I was the only one that came in blue jeans and flannel shirt. I'm a little too laid back to get into the suit and tie gig, although my sweet wife informs, that I had better start imbibing said 'gig'. I might be putting one of these things on myself soon. Yeah. I'll have Avett Brothers do the music, too!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22N7HdC1-EI/UI38eylJuNI/AAAAAAAABu4/qx9TZbThMJI/s1600/October27+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22N7HdC1-EI/UI38eylJuNI/AAAAAAAABu4/qx9TZbThMJI/s320/October27+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do some of the imagery seem blurred and out of focus? Yes, there was quite a bit of activity, even out in the parking lot. Folks just seemed to keep coming in! Pretty good, considering about half of the mailed invites got lost in the mail, never delivered!! We think it may have been due to the gold metallic finish on the mailing envelopes that could have confused the mail scanners. Something to think about when choosing an envelope finish, btw! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICyPJ40zVoc/UI38g-A2AsI/AAAAAAAABvA/nXIMmpq_kEM/s1600/October27+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICyPJ40zVoc/UI38g-A2AsI/AAAAAAAABvA/nXIMmpq_kEM/s320/October27+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our parting shot for the evening will be of this amazing little mobile caterer, the name of whom I absolutely forgot! When I find out, I'll post their names. They make Crepes! Any kind, you name it, and right from the truck. Super friendly folks, average cost was about six bucks. For a nice filled crepe, you can't touch that at a Creperie, believe me!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We here at G. Johanson, Letterpress - meaning me, my wife, and designer daughter Anna Coleman (who works at Rifle Paper Co. btw!) wishes every good blessing and all that Providence will provide, for Isabel, Sheli and Staff at 9th Letter Press. I am proud to count you among my friends, fellow artisans, and co-conspirators in the Black Arts!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
May ascribing a proper description of our Creator in everything we design and print be our goal and purpose, a tradition and purpose handed down from Herr Gutenberg himself. <i>Sola Deo Gloria!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-36072887863364702152012-10-23T00:13:00.001-04:002012-10-23T19:56:22.140-04:00Getting Melissa's Press Ready!<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Melissa will be picking up her 1916 Chandler & Price 10x15 New Series Platen Job Press soon. What needed to be done to it was mainly making it operable. It needed a new motor and belt, a switch, switch wiring, motor wiring, new front and swivel boards, and a de-gunked ink fountain. She also needed two new 2x8 boards to rest upon. I wanted to give Melissa a preview of the press, now that it's ready to roll. Here goes!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first group of photos shows the ink fountain which had to be disassembled, cleaned, the ink blade scraped and "sanded". Then, with cleared oil ports, it was put back together and bolted upon the press. All petcocks turn easy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ALkbYaE4fU/UIYRUWYDKuI/AAAAAAAABqg/NuRR8Wdq_q8/s1600/C&P+10x15+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ALkbYaE4fU/UIYRUWYDKuI/AAAAAAAABqg/NuRR8Wdq_q8/s320/C&P+10x15+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvcWTiO6z6k/UIYRVzbmZhI/AAAAAAAABqo/uE4V_FZ8zME/s1600/C&P+10x15+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvcWTiO6z6k/UIYRVzbmZhI/AAAAAAAABqo/uE4V_FZ8zME/s320/C&P+10x15+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
2.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZcCNYmAIRk/UIYRXZSFYVI/AAAAAAAABqw/GAg4KLZFA4c/s1600/C&P+10x15+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZcCNYmAIRk/UIYRXZSFYVI/AAAAAAAABqw/GAg4KLZFA4c/s320/C&P+10x15+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
3.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7tZmJTVObs/UIYRYnN0AxI/AAAAAAAABq4/t3VZDCPqCLM/s1600/C&P+10x15+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7tZmJTVObs/UIYRYnN0AxI/AAAAAAAABq4/t3VZDCPqCLM/s320/C&P+10x15+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
4.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-rfC1R5UKQ/UIYRc_9mENI/AAAAAAAABrI/i9aQsTDvi_8/s1600/C&P+10x15+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-rfC1R5UKQ/UIYRc_9mENI/AAAAAAAABrI/i9aQsTDvi_8/s320/C&P+10x15+007.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
5.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KG4UP7uTkt8/UIYRfae2c0I/AAAAAAAABrQ/7LZRGGxItMc/s1600/C&P+10x15+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KG4UP7uTkt8/UIYRfae2c0I/AAAAAAAABrQ/7LZRGGxItMc/s320/C&P+10x15+008.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
6.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1lDMlGk8Tg/UIYRhu6sZuI/AAAAAAAABrY/CDuDahCwAHI/s1600/C&P+10x15+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1lDMlGk8Tg/UIYRhu6sZuI/AAAAAAAABrY/CDuDahCwAHI/s320/C&P+10x15+009.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
7.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7X_ofziyss/UIYRk8EoRII/AAAAAAAABrg/r9d1cg5ubpQ/s1600/C&P+10x15+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7X_ofziyss/UIYRk8EoRII/AAAAAAAABrg/r9d1cg5ubpQ/s320/C&P+10x15+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
8.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWB6NnLplno/UIYRm_GgReI/AAAAAAAABro/sMDFGFXXR78/s1600/C&P+10x15+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWB6NnLplno/UIYRm_GgReI/AAAAAAAABro/sMDFGFXXR78/s320/C&P+10x15+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
9.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aokDIZsy7cc/UIYRowRCb5I/AAAAAAAABrw/hvWABR-9o30/s1600/C&P+10x15+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aokDIZsy7cc/UIYRowRCb5I/AAAAAAAABrw/hvWABR-9o30/s320/C&P+10x15+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
10.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOa3hfCJdlI/UIYRzaBsuQI/AAAAAAAABsA/r44i--wPqmg/s1600/C&P+10x15+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOa3hfCJdlI/UIYRzaBsuQI/AAAAAAAABsA/r44i--wPqmg/s320/C&P+10x15+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
11.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jmw_cL6Eog/UIYR14O0O3I/AAAAAAAABsI/B6f5lVp6jDg/s1600/C&P+10x15+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jmw_cL6Eog/UIYR14O0O3I/AAAAAAAABsI/B6f5lVp6jDg/s320/C&P+10x15+016.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
12.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65QvwqHaIrc/UIYR4AcqLhI/AAAAAAAABsQ/fZ6AJI7-Mmk/s1600/C&P+10x15+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65QvwqHaIrc/UIYR4AcqLhI/AAAAAAAABsQ/fZ6AJI7-Mmk/s320/C&P+10x15+017.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazing how a photo changes with the addition of a flash!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The next grouping is the press set-up.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YybjZ2ZhlnE/UIYR6SDP8XI/AAAAAAAABsY/zqbJD7e8nvo/s1600/C&P+10x15+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YybjZ2ZhlnE/UIYR6SDP8XI/AAAAAAAABsY/zqbJD7e8nvo/s320/C&P+10x15+018.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I installed a 'safety switch' to provide easy and quick operation.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0MRPs0WVbFc/UIYR_7yXg9I/AAAAAAAABso/JZa2iV5uboI/s1600/C&P+10x15+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0MRPs0WVbFc/UIYR_7yXg9I/AAAAAAAABso/JZa2iV5uboI/s320/C&P+10x15+020.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The switch is bolted on the left hand under-side of the front feed board.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JF-CNMx4w0Q/UIYSCVEnEKI/AAAAAAAABsw/z4HP5TYkTh8/s1600/C&P+10x15+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JF-CNMx4w0Q/UIYSCVEnEKI/AAAAAAAABsw/z4HP5TYkTh8/s320/C&P+10x15+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The motor is a 1/2 hp Marathon 1725 rpm Farm Motor, sporting a 1" pulley for the 'v' belt. This provides a cycling speed of one impression every 2.5 - 3 seconds. It can be slowed by belting direct to the shaft. Notice that the motor is wired to a female outlet. The switch actually controls the outlet, rather than the motor. You can see the steel shielded "extension cord" plugged into the outlet. The power is switched here, rather than the motor. I wired it this way for ease of installation. The motor and outlet stay together, with the switch wiring hardwired into the top of the outlet box. The box is then literally plugged into a standard wall outlet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbZoeGNb-Rs/UIYSEfpmP2I/AAAAAAAABs4/N3nWUM9bWaE/s1600/C&P+10x15+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbZoeGNb-Rs/UIYSEfpmP2I/AAAAAAAABs4/N3nWUM9bWaE/s320/C&P+10x15+022.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are the new boards, both cut from furniture grade birch ply. Aluminium channeling edge the front and rear of each board. These are cut to the original boards' dimensions. The original boards - also ply - had delaminated over the past 96 years. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQKFfUjLnUE/UIYSFz4j7kI/AAAAAAAABtA/7k1cixCxj9E/s1600/C&P+10x15+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQKFfUjLnUE/UIYSFz4j7kI/AAAAAAAABtA/7k1cixCxj9E/s320/C&P+10x15+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ink fountain is re-mounted. This is the original "full" fountain that came with this press. Also included is the original motor bracket holding the original 1916 Kimble motor, which works, but really should be rebuilt. I managed to find the original leather belt. I do not know if the original belt actually has the integrity to power the press, it's pretty dry, but it can still serve as a 'sizer' and model for a new one, should the new owner decide to actually rebuild the motor.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gx9Mt3eDS5o/UIYSH-DbeoI/AAAAAAAABtI/UTPvkUNzGXE/s1600/C&P+10x15+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gx9Mt3eDS5o/UIYSH-DbeoI/AAAAAAAABtI/UTPvkUNzGXE/s320/C&P+10x15+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here is a view behind the press, showing the motor, the outlet, the switch wiring and the plug-in power cable.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhJXce1-15c/UIYSJ37BUPI/AAAAAAAABtQ/R0IIHZ8qydM/s1600/C&P+10x15+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhJXce1-15c/UIYSJ37BUPI/AAAAAAAABtQ/R0IIHZ8qydM/s320/C&P+10x15+025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
. . . and, of course, the power cable is plugged into an outlet. I have enough cabling to travel a considerable distance, should the press need to be place a considerable distance from the nearest available wall outlet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0R_Rcp5XgHU/UIYSLZZDzXI/AAAAAAAABtY/zcGRSMB-IgQ/s1600/C&P+10x15+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0R_Rcp5XgHU/UIYSLZZDzXI/AAAAAAAABtY/zcGRSMB-IgQ/s320/C&P+10x15+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And finally, an added plus! I located a pair of stock gripper bars, or "frisket bars" which may have been the original grippers for this press. This press had spent some time on the loading dock at Mama's Sauce, next to a Kluge and a Heidelberg, and the associated hardware for all these presses were scattered hither and yon. Joey at Mama's Sauce [Ed. note: thanks for the correction Nick!], let me poke around to hunt down the missing hardware for this press as I was in the process of re-habbing her. This was when I located the leather belt. The grippers were not together, but they are mirror matches of each other.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just a side note: this press also came with a chase, which is 'stone' level, and fits the type bed easily. This was important because ease of fit is not always the case. I think the chase is original to the press as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She runs well. There is a video of her in operation up on YouTube already.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's it for now. BTW, the press is already skidded for easy fork-lifting, Melissa, so it should be an easy pick-up. I also have a set of come-alongs to tie her off in your moving truck. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-88530189220656167622012-09-23T19:38:00.000-04:002012-09-23T21:22:40.942-04:00A Banquet Invitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWm_aAsrNV4/UF9p72MmWvI/AAAAAAAABp4/eBU0-RXXL7E/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWm_aAsrNV4/UF9p72MmWvI/AAAAAAAABp4/eBU0-RXXL7E/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+008.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We've been asked once again to supply the Banquet announcements, invitations and RSVPs for the Annual Central Florida Pregnancy Center's November banquet. This banquet is the major fund raiser for this organisation for the year. This year proves to be somewhat higher in profile, with Tim Tebow's mom being the guest speaker. As such, there is a University of Florida connection here, which gave us an idea of the colour scheme that we should consider. Orange and Blue.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnXZrLIH6OU/UF9p52-tWVI/AAAAAAAABpw/7lcC-SVVQ4E/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnXZrLIH6OU/UF9p52-tWVI/AAAAAAAABpw/7lcC-SVVQ4E/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+007.jpg" width="239" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well, not horribly orange. We did not wish to be that obvious. Rather, more of a Pumpkin colour might be suitable . . . after all, it is autumn. Creating this shade was no mean matter. It took me close to an hour and a half of trial and error. Finally, after mixing colours that have nothing to do with orange, and in preposterous proportions, we arrived at the perfect match for a South Alabama pumpkin!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8LTZlgit0Y/UF9qQW2GiXI/AAAAAAAABqI/vWjcwlySYd4/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8LTZlgit0Y/UF9qQW2GiXI/AAAAAAAABqI/vWjcwlySYd4/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+011.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The pattern was borrowed from a lace doily. The paper chosen was an open fibre variety with enough resiliency to accept a deeper deboss, permitting the un-printed area to 'pop'. I did this with a business card for a concert pianist some time back, featuring piano keys that raised themselves above the printed level. I still run my fingers over my sample card. A little obsessive, yes. But fun, nonetheless.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L46--OwB6G8/UF9p-uutnyI/AAAAAAAABqA/NYZxxt5ooHc/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L46--OwB6G8/UF9p-uutnyI/AAAAAAAABqA/NYZxxt5ooHc/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+010.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Closer observation may reveal that the pattern design is actually triangular, placed side by side in a 'tete-beche' manner, which is anti-parallel. Even closer scrutiny will bring you to my last installment. Yes, our friend is none other than the corner design for the blind deboss, re-applied. Thus, we not only recycle our paper, but our designs, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MFf0slBCbk/UF9pxv5bLKI/AAAAAAAABpY/_P13aT1kWSU/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MFf0slBCbk/UF9pxv5bLKI/AAAAAAAABpY/_P13aT1kWSU/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+004.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One fine day, I will encounter a camera that will have perspective compensation so these sorts of close-up shots won't have that center truncation effect, but as it is, using my wife's Cannon Power Shot, here is the RSVP. We could not resist the use of the all time favourite advertising fount of the early 20th Century, good old "Cooper" for the titling. The rest is Times Roman.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5_RuoijamM/UF9pvO-PMEI/AAAAAAAABpQ/EgkOShCm5IY/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5_RuoijamM/UF9pvO-PMEI/AAAAAAAABpQ/EgkOShCm5IY/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+003.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Quite naturally, I have to include several close ups. Notice that the design actually does not bleed. It ends just short of the 4-bar sized card. One reason is that if it was run to bleed, there would necessitate extra cutting, which would imply going under the clamp of the large guillotine cutter. That would require the ink to stand another 24 hours, and could reduce the "pop" of the deboss. Perhaps one day I will have a series of cutting dies made. Yes. When the Kluge arrives. What? Yes, friends, we are expecting the Holy Graille of Letterpresses for our very own, a 10x15 Kluge. More on that, later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxjFNeoS1Qo/UF9pzNkxe5I/AAAAAAAABpg/C7wHRjamocw/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxjFNeoS1Qo/UF9pzNkxe5I/AAAAAAAABpg/C7wHRjamocw/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+005.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And now for a few more macro-images, slanted against the light to emphasize the deboss. You know, this is common to all letterpress photos, really. Dramatizing the effect in this manner is actually necessary in photo images, otherwise you'd never see the deboss. I must add, for the sake of my fellow printers: I do not punch hard enough to bruise the obverse of the card's surface. In fact, if I did, you would see creases in the margins of this close-up. Open fiber papers need not be driven hard to produce a nice debossing effect. This helps the longevity of our equipment, which is no longer being manufactured.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWMcyOSElWQ/UF9p1wtoBSI/AAAAAAAABpo/DBOWrvmUvKU/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWMcyOSElWQ/UF9p1wtoBSI/AAAAAAAABpo/DBOWrvmUvKU/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+006.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
They really did come out nice. This was one fun job to run, I will admit. The way the lace pops off the edging is really engaging. I never get tired of looking at it. In fact, I'm running out of samples, folks I've shown it to wind up, well . . . keeping the samples. Hmmm . . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANnT3nrvbV0/UF9psfHyfNI/AAAAAAAABpI/wOpT0yO42Ow/s1600/CFPC+Banquet+2012+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANnT3nrvbV0/UF9psfHyfNI/AAAAAAAABpI/wOpT0yO42Ow/s320/CFPC+Banquet+2012+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here we go, one parting shot from the production table. We ran five hundred invitations and RSVP cards, which meant over two thousand impressions. It was a sun-up to sun-down job, when everything was said and done. Well worth the time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This pattern, by the way, is available for use with any appropriate invitation and RSVP. If you think you might find it's use advantageous to your needs, you can refer to it as the Pumpkin Lace design. I'd call it the Pam Tebow design, but I'm afraid that name has a trademark and copyright on it. Besides, that would be rather gauche, would it not?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
That's all for now. Stay tuned for more adventures in Letterpress!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-78856223742269222792012-08-13T02:00:00.001-04:002012-08-13T02:00:30.458-04:00Combining Work with Pleasure, Installment No. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhwiXz1FsRU/UCiNYrqY9ZI/AAAAAAAABow/U1phRjovKm0/s1600/Invitation+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhwiXz1FsRU/UCiNYrqY9ZI/AAAAAAAABow/U1phRjovKm0/s320/Invitation+026.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to installment number two, "Combining Work With Pleasure". The work: making some of the most awesome cards that rolled off our 1936 New Series C&P Letterpress yet! Golly, the last month saw awesome calligraphy from a world class Calligrapher, and now we are tripping back to the 1880s with genuine Eastlake tatted borders, bunted frames, and knotted lace. Look at the blind debossed borders on the finished invitation! Rebekah wanted some engrossed flourishes around her and Alton's name, so I went back to 1690's Londontown to borrow some penwork from Ayers, which wove nicely into the Script (Bickham Script) and flowed with the inclination and kerning of the characters.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6Lg2LJLvUA/UCiNV9EmtqI/AAAAAAAABoo/LvGbBlUIlnk/s1600/Invitation+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6Lg2LJLvUA/UCiNV9EmtqI/AAAAAAAABoo/LvGbBlUIlnk/s320/Invitation+023.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the die and print. The die is courtesy Owosso Graphics, magnesium, wood mounted. I prefer metal dies over polymer largely owing to the crisp edge nature of metal. Also, I am a traditionalist. At one point I will probably start using polymer, but so far I haven't seen the huge advantage it has over traditional wood mounted metal. As mentioned in the prior installment, the die used for the blind deboss is 16 gauge copper, also wood mounted.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcgFB8qy2Vk/UCiNO1XWWGI/AAAAAAAABoI/HenCQMg0niw/s1600/Invitation+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcgFB8qy2Vk/UCiNO1XWWGI/AAAAAAAABoI/HenCQMg0niw/s320/Invitation+018.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The following shots are close-ups of the invitation and the obverse of the RSVP Post Card. The ink chosen is straight-out-of-the-tube oil based brown, from "Dave's Ink In Tubes". What we were not prepared for was the effect of this standard brown against pearl white Lettra: Gold. Not bright and shiny, but a dense Florentine. The combination of a debossed image in this colour, the saturation, the shadow cast by the deboss, ever so slight, and overhead lighting produced a remarkable visual!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0XmHjWs1f-A/UCiNSsojtFI/AAAAAAAABoY/vHySy74o56A/s1600/Invitation+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0XmHjWs1f-A/UCiNSsojtFI/AAAAAAAABoY/vHySy74o56A/s320/Invitation+021.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The deboss of the border was heavy enough: we did not wish to punch the text. The open fibre nature of Lettra permits the die to sink into the stock's surface just a bit, by its very nature, thus what you have is a nicely planted text line with a solid presence, yet not heavily punched.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTI-4cm78yg/UCiNQ2lszrI/AAAAAAAABoQ/xnHMWBMQuo8/s1600/Invitation+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTI-4cm78yg/UCiNQ2lszrI/AAAAAAAABoQ/xnHMWBMQuo8/s320/Invitation+020.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A close-up of the flourishes of Mr. Ayers, Scripsit to King Charles II.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATslkEDj_wo/UCiNUlVaOCI/AAAAAAAABog/Ee1q7U-THqU/s1600/Invitation+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATslkEDj_wo/UCiNUlVaOCI/AAAAAAAABog/Ee1q7U-THqU/s320/Invitation+022.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Text on the lower part of the Invitation face. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOJpgNBGI6U/UCiNEM3R2pI/AAAAAAAABnk/xGmukAWUnuI/s1600/Invitation+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOJpgNBGI6U/UCiNEM3R2pI/AAAAAAAABnk/xGmukAWUnuI/s320/Invitation+011.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The use of Postal Card RSVPs is gaining popularity, and the Rebekah / Alton team are no exceptions. The idea is to save money, both on postage and on having to purchase RSVP envelopes with return addresses. Much as I'd love to take your money, part of my mission in Letterpress is to make it as affordable for you as possible. Post Card RSVPs are a great cost-cutting alternative. The reverse side will be printed as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJXuGm7ORxU/UCiNHB7aSjI/AAAAAAAABnw/u762EqGEEnw/s1600/Invitation+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJXuGm7ORxU/UCiNHB7aSjI/AAAAAAAABnw/u762EqGEEnw/s320/Invitation+012.jpg" width="239" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Close-up of the message side.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOntvBNR2Ec/UCiNKsCblHI/AAAAAAAABn4/_BGbOhBmGr4/s1600/Invitation+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOntvBNR2Ec/UCiNKsCblHI/AAAAAAAABn4/_BGbOhBmGr4/s320/Invitation+013.jpg" width="239" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used some of the same flourishes as appears on the Invitation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5st96dcBhbw/UCiNM3pq7MI/AAAAAAAABoA/ry6ZnJBHDUk/s1600/Invitation+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5st96dcBhbw/UCiNM3pq7MI/AAAAAAAABoA/ry6ZnJBHDUk/s320/Invitation+015.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The border is printed within one thirty-second to one sixty-fourth of an inch to the edge. It was verrry tricky to feed. While the border carries the same basic design elements of the Invitations, they owe much more to my background in Stamp Collecting (Philately), in that many of the 19th century classic postage stamps used the eyelet lace motife for borders. In particularly, the Letterpress printed postage stamps. Proving once again that if you want some great classic design ideas, go to your local Stamp Collector.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7yfsJA0cKLM/UCiM9YuUWjI/AAAAAAAABnM/-lRfqQb_nK4/s1600/Invitation+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7yfsJA0cKLM/UCiM9YuUWjI/AAAAAAAABnM/-lRfqQb_nK4/s320/Invitation+003.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ahh, yes. The couple, checking out Alton's handiwork, my latest "apprentice". (grin)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jh9wdr9pEeY/UCiM_rM7hZI/AAAAAAAABnU/Vjt9NFb5VbQ/s1600/Invitation+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jh9wdr9pEeY/UCiM_rM7hZI/AAAAAAAABnU/Vjt9NFb5VbQ/s320/Invitation+004.jpg" width="239" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Uhh....doesn't "November" have an "r" at the end of it?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZGZ1dsLL0I/UCiNCTwYzTI/AAAAAAAABnc/bydGCVgTfDM/s1600/Invitation+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZGZ1dsLL0I/UCiNCTwYzTI/AAAAAAAABnc/bydGCVgTfDM/s320/Invitation+006.jpg" width="239" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Just kidding!!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whew! Don't scare me like that!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now, set back, grab some pop-corn, and enjoy our latest little vid: Alton Punches Paper with 1200 pounds of iron in motion!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ifvimjr-w44?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's it for this installment. Stay tuned for the next installment, when Alton says "Hmm....I wonder if I can crush pennies. . . . . ?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-66105290113580630532012-08-07T08:17:00.000-04:002012-08-07T21:41:05.790-04:00Combining Work With Pleasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of the unique features of having a Letterpress Shop, even a hole in the wall like mine, is that you can do things other folks can't do. Like, for instance, how many of y'all made your own glasses? (Opticians don't count!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Last night we began the final process of producing Alton and Rebekah's wedding stationery. This was wholly their design, they just told me where they wanted what stroke to be put where. Alton and Rebekah are no slouches in areas requiring imagination, creativity, and design.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The initial design unfolded with the idea to create an inner envelope liner made from paper lace. Having secured a sample, I based the debossed border design after the basic lace pattern. The result produced an almost Eastlake Victorian design with enough filligree to compliment the text, which will contain flourishes sampled from the work of Ayers, who was an English Scribe of the 17th century. I tried to do the flourishes myself, but frankly, I don't have that kind of hand these days. That's why I stick with Blackletter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The lace design is nestled in the corners, with repetitive elements serving as borders between the corners, again, themed from the central lace design. The design is "blind debossed" onto a 5x7 vertical card, forming a delicate and very pleasing dimensional visual.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After a very tricky set up (we are using a margin of less than one sixteenth of an inch all the way around the border!), we began the process of debossing from the copper die, courtesy <a href="https://www.owossographic.com/">Owosso Graphics</a>, with the press set on it's slowest speed. It was somewhat tricky to 'feed' this set-up, but after a while, we were up to about one impression every three seconds. For this sort of thing, not too shabby! Alton, the groom-to-be, wanted to give it a try. Very soon, he became an old hand at this. But then, I know Alton: it was a cinch he would acclimate to my press quickly. Below is a sequence of Alton feeding my 8x12 Gordon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2lH7PT86so/UCD_KhN4YGI/AAAAAAAABlw/tZioknd4_nk/s1600/Shady+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2lH7PT86so/UCD_KhN4YGI/AAAAAAAABlw/tZioknd4_nk/s320/Shady+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Firt off, Alton "fans" the stock. Would you believe that 'fanning' is one of the hardest things for me to teach at a workshop? <i>Fanning </i>is a way of spreading out the stock for feeding and / or counting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHruQTuODiM/UCD_P10iERI/AAAAAAAABmI/H9dyBkmvyaM/s1600/Shady+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHruQTuODiM/UCD_P10iERI/AAAAAAAABmI/H9dyBkmvyaM/s320/Shady+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He gently slides the card into the paper guides I rigged up on the tympan. I could not use my standard gauge pins for this part of the edition because the edge of the paper is nearly flush with the edge of the die itself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aru-oLkPSpc/UCD_OEuPdUI/AAAAAAAABmA/Hfs0FUrNXIw/s1600/Shady+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aru-oLkPSpc/UCD_OEuPdUI/AAAAAAAABmA/Hfs0FUrNXIw/s320/Shady+003.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ensuring the card is properly placed, Alton reaches for the impression lever and makes the impression.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROtPGsV1kts/UCD_MHYL0RI/AAAAAAAABl4/QhoVUpMhFf8/s1600/Shady+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROtPGsV1kts/UCD_MHYL0RI/AAAAAAAABl4/QhoVUpMhFf8/s320/Shady+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ahh, yes. There is is. Ready to repeat the cycle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The debossing of the border with "clients" on hand became a type of workshop that I do not always have the opportunity to enjoy: having the client actually take part of the production, with their hands on the Helm, as it were. It was fun to watch and participate. Rebekah, not in the photos, was standing on the opposite side of the press watching. It was just as fun watching her amazement and fascination with the process. Alton later told me the most important part of the night was the idea that came home with each impression: "Wow, this is <i>really happening</i>!!" Yes, Alton, it is really happening. And we are so glad that your Sovereign led you two to each other!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, what does the design look like? I took a few shots using a lamp that was recommended by <a href="http://www.austinpress.com/">Kim Austin, of Austin Press, San Fransisco</a>, although I have yet to have room for the light tent and set-up. These photos were shot with my sweet wife Cindy's Canon Sure-shot under a 6500k lamp:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlj6D8nynIE/UCD_SQ_NscI/AAAAAAAABmQ/JRCXx78ZGZk/s1600/Shady+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlj6D8nynIE/UCD_SQ_NscI/AAAAAAAABmQ/JRCXx78ZGZk/s320/Shady+005.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rReNW3DQ3YY/UCD_UfprJJI/AAAAAAAABmY/tfezcEcdpQ8/s1600/Shady+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rReNW3DQ3YY/UCD_UfprJJI/AAAAAAAABmY/tfezcEcdpQ8/s320/Shady+006.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DplMi-wmtH8/UCD_VhqCnJI/AAAAAAAABmg/I-9LE-zEFUc/s1600/Shady+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DplMi-wmtH8/UCD_VhqCnJI/AAAAAAAABmg/I-9LE-zEFUc/s320/Shady+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncxHq_RpgHE/UCD_Yq_9LOI/AAAAAAAABmo/_5VeBlM1Rko/s1600/Shady+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncxHq_RpgHE/UCD_Yq_9LOI/AAAAAAAABmo/_5VeBlM1Rko/s320/Shady+008.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can you see how close to the edge we are making our impression! There is only one-thirty-second of an inch all the way around. Beyond set up, there was no waste. Good going, Alton!!<br />
. . . yeah, that's an I-Hop cup. Don't even ask . . . .</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ARZn3sAOA/UCD_Zk1WzyI/AAAAAAAABmw/NJbo6HKbw1s/s1600/Shady+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ARZn3sAOA/UCD_Zk1WzyI/AAAAAAAABmw/NJbo6HKbw1s/s320/Shady+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we proceed with this unique order, I will keep you posted. As for the design, I will be making this available as one of my border choices available through G. Johanson, Letterpress. We are naming it after the Bride to Be: <i>Rebekah</i>. If you like this design, ask for the "Rebekah" Eastlake border.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good Providence in ALL your endeavours.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary, the Printer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-64991668995038290252012-07-31T00:07:00.000-04:002012-07-31T09:31:45.354-04:00Calligraphic Collaboration!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Angela Welch has been creating awesome calligraphy for people all over the world. She is the closest thing to a "Zanerian" that I know, that is: she handles the pointed Spencerian pen with a competency that is outstanding. Little wonder that she's created designs for Crane & Co., for international clientele, and has even found herself working at her Art in the presence of the Vatican Guard! (that's another story.) When she asked me to print her Wedding Stationery designs for her client Mandy, I fairly jumped at the opportunity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This order called for an A7 invitation with envelope liner, including a printed return address, and a 4-Bar sized RSVP with printed address on it's envelope. Stock selected was #110 Ecru Lettra. Four magnesium dies were involved, and about two solid weeks working with the copy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Angela sent scans of her work, which which were perfect. The challenge, however, is to take that file and make an intelligible "black file" for plating. This is where the raster file is converted to a vector file for sizing, and is the file the Plate & Die maker uses to create the letterpress die from. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Being a calligrapher myself, I have a pretty good idea how the finished product is supposed to look like. The challenge is to preserve the look of a hand-executed piece. This involves paying close attention to the thick and thin strokes. A great looking 'thin' that will impress into open fiber stock and leave a great line may turn out to make the thicker strokes too heavy. Backing off the thicker strokes may cause the thin lines in the flourishes to break up, or become too thin. Sometimes I have to go into the original raster scan and physically edit the thin or thick so the vector 'engine' can plot a course that makes sense and leaves the line the way I want it. And when the copy originates from a hand drawn line on proper paper that draws ink from the pen for a well executed piece, sometimes the macro-close up nature of a scan can make what appears to be a smooth line. . . pretty rough. Enough to confuse the vector plotting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Needless to say, it was a challenge, and the end product was worth the effort! We held a very delicate thin line, and a healthy thick downstroke. The most important thing was that the dies conveyed a great impression into open fiber stock that left a nice deboss, yet retained the hand-wrought calligraphic look.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOHP443m4Us/UBdL4YQfKTI/AAAAAAAABjQ/QuOry6RCr2g/s1600/Mandy+Order+Photos+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOHP443m4Us/UBdL4YQfKTI/AAAAAAAABjQ/QuOry6RCr2g/s320/Mandy+Order+Photos+007.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The printing was accomplished on my 1936 New Series C&P, moderate hard packing, and I got to use my brand new Megill adjustable gauge pins! Man, talk about easy set up. The only thing that really took time were the 4-Bar envelopes. I had to place a card-stock insert into each envelope to avoid the effects of the glued envelope seams on the back of the envelope. These seams can interfere with the impression and create unwanted darks, lights, and complete misses because to a Platen Job Press, envelopes never lie flat. There are variously thicker in some spots, thinner in others depending where the rear seams are placed. Here is a shot of the mid-run.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2W-BvsoNftI/UBdL539xiGI/AAAAAAAABjY/5YCKP2Coa14/s1600/Mandy+Order+Photos+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2W-BvsoNftI/UBdL539xiGI/AAAAAAAABjY/5YCKP2Coa14/s320/Mandy+Order+Photos+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aren't those gauge pins pretty? They screw down very tightly, thus eliminating the need to tape or drip wax or hot glue or any other added method of locking the gauge pins into place once set.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6SNHHp0Hug/UBdL8MXwoSI/AAAAAAAABjg/NGNJ75PO53E/s1600/Mandy+Order+Photos+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6SNHHp0Hug/UBdL8MXwoSI/AAAAAAAABjg/NGNJ75PO53E/s320/Mandy+Order+Photos+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This shot was taken from the take-up pile. One thing about feeding envelopes: definitely a hand-fed job. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IjBnwl2Ohw/UBdL-RVNVxI/AAAAAAAABjo/hLoYfcpJ97A/s1600/Mandy+Order+Photos+010b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IjBnwl2Ohw/UBdL-RVNVxI/AAAAAAAABjo/hLoYfcpJ97A/s320/Mandy+Order+Photos+010b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's the finished grouping, with the RSVP envelopes on the left, Invites in three piles, and RSVPs in two and a quarter piles.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GFd8t7Myh_k/UBfb80PruWI/AAAAAAAABlM/K47y3tkCzlQ/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GFd8t7Myh_k/UBfb80PruWI/AAAAAAAABlM/K47y3tkCzlQ/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+001a.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's the rear flap of the AS envelope. The colour of the envelope is Ecru, but it was shot using a 6500k flourescent bulb, which tends to make Ecru look more like Pearl White!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEnQoY2f__M/UBfb-4-YppI/AAAAAAAABlU/eXC452lylYY/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEnQoY2f__M/UBfb-4-YppI/AAAAAAAABlU/eXC452lylYY/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+002a.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the pre-addressed 4-Bar envelop for the return cards.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi3i6thDcBM/UBfcA8fFt_I/AAAAAAAABlc/KKaotiw9OFg/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi3i6thDcBM/UBfcA8fFt_I/AAAAAAAABlc/KKaotiw9OFg/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+003a.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bit of a close-up of the envelope.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_46z3uxuoX0/UBdMQfJmiTI/AAAAAAAABkI/bMFxK-UP73I/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_46z3uxuoX0/UBdMQfJmiTI/AAAAAAAABkI/bMFxK-UP73I/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The RSVP card.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCcWPXgyjtg/UBdMSD1ytrI/AAAAAAAABkQ/drfYgRBCUgI/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCcWPXgyjtg/UBdMSD1ytrI/AAAAAAAABkQ/drfYgRBCUgI/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A macro shot of the RSVP</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2FGQrIYqJ0/UBdMUQbVSEI/AAAAAAAABkY/hBi1PCmwuXE/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2FGQrIYqJ0/UBdMUQbVSEI/AAAAAAAABkY/hBi1PCmwuXE/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the Flourishes on these cards. Angela is great at determining when enough is . . . enough!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r34oU46wkJU/UBdMW-eJ5UI/AAAAAAAABkg/-IeQ2H458lw/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r34oU46wkJU/UBdMW-eJ5UI/AAAAAAAABkg/-IeQ2H458lw/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+010.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the five by seven inch invitation </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvuSJ04loLg/UBdMwxuh9lI/AAAAAAAABko/7OEyeRvFrIo/s1600/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvuSJ04loLg/UBdMwxuh9lI/AAAAAAAABko/7OEyeRvFrIo/s320/Mandy+Winston+Stationery+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here is the whole set, minus the 'inner' A7 envelope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, that's what's new here at G. Johanson, Letterpress. Stay tuned for more entries coming up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good Providence in ALL your Letterpress projects.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-66569780730165600292012-06-17T21:57:00.001-04:002012-06-18T17:00:22.991-04:00Philatelic Art: Enduring Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lslq-AjFgRg/T953aKmuMbI/AAAAAAAABiU/q1N6tQY2nLM/s1600/Ceres+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lslq-AjFgRg/T953aKmuMbI/AAAAAAAABiU/q1N6tQY2nLM/s320/Ceres+Head.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two hobbies of mine have shaped my life and course of future: Amateur Radio and Stamp Collecting. It's hard to tell which had the greater affect, as far as avocations go. As a Letterpress Printer and designer of my products, I draw heavily from the classic works of bygone styles. Having collected postage stamps since I was six years old ( I'm 57 now ), I find that now, more than ever, I go to my philatelic books, the catalogues and the albums as a design resource for my work. It seems that as graphic artists these days, particularly those that are fellow patrons of the Black Art, become more and more 'whimsical' in their designs - I guess that's the word for it - I find myself seeking refuge in the sharp clean lines, the inherent symmetry, the fineness of detail, the excellence of execution of postal ephemera of the mid to late nineteenth century. These classical designs are not "all over the place" or sketchy. They are solid. Definite. They have presence, and communicate their importance. They are works of art.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What amazes me is that amidst the detailing and microscopic fineness (for the most part) lay a vast reservoir of techniques that can speak to us in this "New Millenia" we've entered. Balance, Beauty, Utility, all combine in these micro-miniature posters which were printed around the globe, describing their countries of issue. Maps, Rulers, Coats of Arms, History, Literature, Cartography, Economics, each stamp teaching those that cared to look a little of their country of origin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One such design that I have of late worked with in my studio is the 1849 "Ceres" stamp of France. This was the very first postage stamp ever printed by France, only nine years after Great Britain issued the world's first adhesive postage stamp (the Penny Black and Two Penny Blue, 1840) and a scant two years after the United States issued it's first adhesive postage stamps in 1847. The designs of Britain and the United States were absolutely gorgeous, and being line engraved, both were intensely detailed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not so the French fledgling offering. It was surface printed (Letterpress, the old catalogs call them as being "typographed"). It was much, much simpler. It featured no ruler's portrait, no hyper intense turning. It featured simply a Grecian side border design and an ancient profile of Ceres inset into a simple disc resembling some ancient coin. And yet in all it's simplicity, the design elements, merely a collection of lines and dots, play together in an amazing unity, presenting a very attractive piece of art. In fact, so simple was it that I endeavored to reproduce it's elements for my own shop. To make it very obvious it is not a forgery, I altered the legend (France never issued a Universal Postal Card in this design), the line shading behind the disc, and added my own initials "INV GGJ" at the bottom. This 'borrowed' design will grace some stationery I hope to offer, based on classical nineteenth century postal ephemera.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bp3rpNUEKas/T96DqJqSacI/AAAAAAAABi4/8RroMRwLjgo/s1600/french-postage-stamp-1849.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bp3rpNUEKas/T96DqJqSacI/AAAAAAAABi4/8RroMRwLjgo/s320/french-postage-stamp-1849.jpeg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Above is the actual stamp. Very clear, a clean impression, a gorgeous classic. Simplicity in a nutshell. As I began to research the design, discovering the elements it contains, I was struck that apparently, several countries felt the same way I did! It was amazing how this design was repeated over again in different countries spanning almost two decades after it's initial 1849 French release, to whit:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aQaYtVCz0I/T96DonEzAFI/AAAAAAAABiw/-ZkUojFQnHk/s1600/Hermes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aQaYtVCz0I/T96DonEzAFI/AAAAAAAABiw/-ZkUojFQnHk/s1600/Hermes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Greece . . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwqkTm8mUzk/T96DqyHzofI/AAAAAAAABjA/GTEjvJOBDJI/s1600/spain_1856_1r-st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwqkTm8mUzk/T96DqyHzofI/AAAAAAAABjA/GTEjvJOBDJI/s320/spain_1856_1r-st.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spain . . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlQonjllTAc/T96DnkMm_HI/AAAAAAAABig/0yJOqLFBfJg/s1600/Ecuador5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlQonjllTAc/T96DnkMm_HI/AAAAAAAABig/0yJOqLFBfJg/s320/Ecuador5.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally, Ecuador. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was just from briefly cruising around the Internet, cherry picking images. There are probably many more. The use of this design seems to span from 1849, up to 1865. Sixteen years, possibly more. That's what I call an enduring design, considering these were the earliest of issues from these countries. No doubt that officials from these countries admired the stamps they were receiving from their correspondence with the French Republic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, it's not lost on me that as a design rooted in ancient Greece, Greece might be interested in using it. Other Latin countries might share tastes similar to France, after all: Spain and France had been politically connected off and on for a good part of the 16th and 17th centuries. What's there to be surprised about? But cultural similarities or not (I wonder if Italy......) a good design is a good design, by any stripe! A twenty year run stemming from a single design, not bad. Not bad at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Long Live Philatelic Design!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-20139530401557033062012-05-15T00:12:00.002-04:002012-05-15T00:12:46.833-04:00New Megill Gauge Pins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrcolVeFU14/T7HQi20hsKI/AAAAAAAABh4/KZs0HvE8WYU/s1600/megill+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrcolVeFU14/T7HQi20hsKI/AAAAAAAABh4/KZs0HvE8WYU/s320/megill+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I ordered some new gauge pins from <a href="http://www.americanprintingequipment.com/megillcodoublegripgaugepins.aspx">American Printing Equipment & Supply Co</a>., to supplement my waning supply. Owing to a rare miscalculation on my part, I very nearly lost one of my favourite Megill Double Grip gauges. The close call reminded me that I should get more - while they are still available. So I did. NA Graphics stopped carrying them, apparently, but I found them at the above mentioned location. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, normally, these pins came in what I consider the normal dark carbide metal with brass tongue, screws and slide. What I got totally surprised me. The slide and body came.....chromed! Chromium plated gauges. Boy, talk about adding class to the ol' Shoppe! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3SpGRQJV_o/T7HQjxUoPTI/AAAAAAAABiA/OE7jQw8a25o/s1600/megill+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3SpGRQJV_o/T7HQjxUoPTI/AAAAAAAABiA/OE7jQw8a25o/s320/megill+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I thought that perhaps these may have been recycles chromed over to hide their years of use. Close scrutiny reveals that if this is what they are, they were in awfully nice shape to begin with. No, I think they are new. Either way, they are nice.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2VgeyLqVrU/T7HQk0DJ-7I/AAAAAAAABiI/rX_OLKVs36s/s1600/megill+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2VgeyLqVrU/T7HQk0DJ-7I/AAAAAAAABiI/rX_OLKVs36s/s320/megill+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everybody has their flavours in life, Letterpress printing is no exception. I use Kort Quad guides down at Mama's Sauce when I do work for them down in Orlando (I'm one of their Klugemen) - I have to say, these Double Grip gauges have been singularly the best, probably the most enduring and easiest gauges I have ever used for long haul work. With the old stand-by Flex-pins, you have to make two penetrations in the tympan and slide the center pins through. With the Quad Guides, you have to make two relatively long slices for the fore-and-aft blade grips which requires a considerable amount of pressure to open the "jaw". I've ripped my share of tympan. The Megill Double Grip gauges require only <i>one </i>single inch-long slice perpendicular to the feed line, and that's it. You can set the holding pressure lightly, to set the pins, then tighten with the nut tightening tool that comes with the set (see top photo). They adjust very easy, they lock like a vise grip, and if you take care of them, they last for ever.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, in a pinch, they can make a dandy tie pin!! I'll wear one to the next wayz-goose.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-32155968558085941792012-04-23T01:11:00.001-04:002012-04-23T06:51:32.570-04:00Update From the Studio/ Shop.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbUfi8ZidoU/T5TdfimFeKI/AAAAAAAABhw/kQ0UXT-C0m8/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbUfi8ZidoU/T5TdfimFeKI/AAAAAAAABhw/kQ0UXT-C0m8/s320/logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, what have I been up to in the past few weeks? Well . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Firstly, my Golding Pearl O.S. Model 3 has a new owner, and now resides in the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia. The new owner is Emily.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've also been doing some stand-in bindery work at <a href="http://www.mamas-sauce.com/">Mama's Sauce</a>, holding the fort while a couple of the guys go off, get married and go on their respective honeymoons. Gives me a chance to get up front and personal with their 12 x 18 Kluge. It's been a lot of fun working with Joey, Hogan and the Brookster. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Keep an eye out for a new friend and former student of mine (work-shop student, that is!) Isabel, with <a href="http://9thletterpress.com/">9th Letter Press</a>, of Winter Park. Isabel has a lot of talent, and it will be great to see her work go 'main stream', especially in the Winter Park Rolling College / Park Avenue area. I will be posting a link to her site soon. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've also been working on my new <a href="http://www.gjohanson.com/">web site</a>. I have added some flash pages, which are serving as portfolio viewers. The nice thing about these flash sub-programs is that a picture is worth a thousand words. So, what does that make ten pictures? So far, I have my main portfolio page done, with an active link to my business card portfolio page. Soon to be active will be a Wedding Stationery page, a Coaster page, and a general Ephemera page. Check them out, tell me what you think!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, what do you think of my sorta-kinda Logo? It reminds me a bit of some of the wood cut stylings of 16th Century Bayern (Bavaria, where I lived as a pre-teen) - so I took the liberty of using a German Blackletter font, and inscribing "Kunsthandwerk", which means Cultural or Artistic or Artisan Hand Work, and "Feindruckerei", or Fine Press / Printing. It's a tip of the hat to my own German heritage. And, after all, it were the Germans who gave the Western World Letterpress. Direct from the Electorate of Mainz, by way of Strasbourg. In a short time, Nuremberg became the Printing Capitol of the Western World.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Besides, I love Blackletter "Textur" and "Fraktur". Reminds me of another place I lived: Valley Forge, not far from the Schwenkfelder and Amish communities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One last thing: my Dell D620 lost image on it's screen. I think I have it traced to the LCD inverter. Ordered a new one, hopefully that will get me up and going. While I do have a Mac desk-top for CS4, I do a huge bulk of my designing with good ol' FreeHand MX, on a PC. So, since my Lap Top is my PC, it's pretty important that I get it going again. Fortunately, the video card is good, and I can run an external monitor so I can see what I am typing right here and now. But it's a pain being docked to a terminal. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If the inverter does not work, then I'm replacing the LCD and cabling as well. While it's costing me a bit to order new parts, it is still cheaper than having someone else do this - or purchasing a new Lap top!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a wedding order coming up soon, and I will post photos as I print it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's it for now. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-59065055634621135572012-04-06T23:01:00.000-04:002012-04-06T23:01:51.061-04:00Business Cards for PTF Photo, Tallahassee.<br />
<hr />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had an opportunity to run some great business cards. The client is <a href="http://www.ptfphoto.com/">PTF Photo</a>, of Tallahassee, Florida. The logo is a centralized blind deboss. The paper is White Lettra. This order was actually run on two presses: the 8x12 C&P was used for the blind deboss, and about half of the text run. The other half was run by my Old Series Pearl Model 3, the last order to be run on her from my shop. This is because the Pearl is now the property of Emma, of Central Virginia. Yes. Anna has a new home. But as she left, she ran one last order for me, and it could not have been better. Thanks, Anna. You're a grand lady, and will do Emma very proudly. It's been a pleasure to have shared shop space with you!<br />
<br />
Below are some shots of PTF's new cards. These were printed using traditional wood mounted metal dies, courtesy Owosso Graphics. And once again, great results happened!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yr_hqEMEvr0/T3-ltTz4VPI/AAAAAAAABhQ/s9T46iNsf8w/s1600/PF+Photo+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yr_hqEMEvr0/T3-ltTz4VPI/AAAAAAAABhQ/s9T46iNsf8w/s320/PF+Photo+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeWLjrRbEDE/T3-lw79--kI/AAAAAAAABhY/bu2JK7IPSRk/s1600/PF+Photo+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeWLjrRbEDE/T3-lw79--kI/AAAAAAAABhY/bu2JK7IPSRk/s320/PF+Photo+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRkuHjVz0iY/T3-ly8_05aI/AAAAAAAABhg/vNxNq2Q09n8/s1600/PF+Photo+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRkuHjVz0iY/T3-ly8_05aI/AAAAAAAABhg/vNxNq2Q09n8/s320/PF+Photo+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cCYifm7Cv0/T3-lzjVnx0I/AAAAAAAABho/dYVmIJne40c/s1600/PF+Photo+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cCYifm7Cv0/T3-lzjVnx0I/AAAAAAAABho/dYVmIJne40c/s320/PF+Photo+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's the latest from G. Johanson, Printer. I might add that the Logo was not designed by me, but by the graphics designer for PTF, who also did a nice job! Cudos to <a href="http://www.ptfphoto.com/">PTF Photo</a>. For more about PTF, click <a href="http://www.ptfphoto.com/">here</a>. For PTF's Facebook page, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Gary-Johanson/561519305#%21/pages/PTFPhoto/243941765695011">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Good Providence in all your Letterpress Endeavors!<br />
<br />
-gary.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-63878221526231725662012-03-03T19:48:00.000-05:002012-03-03T19:49:58.781-05:00On Photographing Letterpress Products.<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the more difficult things to do regarding Lettepress is photographing what you print. Paper is hard to properly photograph in such a way that captures the Letterpress dynamic. Light bounces everywhere. Shadow needs to be in the right place. How many times have you visited a Letterpress site or an Etsy shop or go to someone's Flicker page, and look at the letterpress printed image and struggle to determine....is that a <i>deboss</i>? or is that image <i>embossed</i> ? That, or having shot your own work and uploaded it, think to yourself<br />
<br />
". . . funny . . . I thought my paper was white!" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kim Austin of <a href="http://www.austinpress.com/">Austin Press</a> was gracious enough to permit me to tag along my video camera during a recent visit to her studio/shop down in San Fransisco's "Dog Patch" area. I have to say, she took at least two hours out of a busy production day to treat two total strangers from Central Florida like family. I have been following Austin Press in publications like Victoria and Country Living for several years, amazed at how this little gal does so much with two iron Letterpresses and a whole lotta creativity. She does not have the snazzy Heidelberg Windmills, no auto-feed Kluges, no Vandercooks . . . just a lot of hand-fed hard work and a way of capturing the essence of Letterpress both on paper - and in photographs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kim came to Letterpress from out of a professional photography background, and when she was kind enough to take us into her backroom area where her camera and photo-stage was set up, I thought I'd better have my little handi-cam ready. Kim has been working out solutions to problems that commonly plague any of us who have tried to post our work on line to advertise or share what we do. How do we capture the essence of what Letterpress <i>is</i>?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The following video is presented to you at the behest of Kim. I see this sort of thing as sharing 'trade secrets'. Kim is sharing publicly, right here, the results of a process she has been working on for two years to get 'just right'. I really appreciate the rare priviledge to be recipient of Kim's experience and wisdom, as well as her wonderful hopitality. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This particular video is the first of two that I made at Austin Press. The other will follow presently.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZYDR6hFSegw" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-58394057652918645392012-02-28T22:42:00.001-05:002012-02-29T20:55:11.006-05:00A Study in Contrast<hr />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2uz0Jdx0hkdXcZV6k3HedqsDwtS0CyVWXZfwAZ5OjcrWDUtZfPnEDBnqWmL9thAPhBWXKUh745jIu8U__Bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
During our last workshop, my student (Isabel, proprietor, 9th Letter Press) was printing the main design of a future "prop card", using Van Son rubber based grey No. 10. We were using the usual Crane Lettra, #110 Pearl White. At one point I had her slip in some hard surfaced card stock that we had used as barrier paper, which protects the stock during the cutting process. This was approximately 100lb hard finished card stock, bright white. I knew what was going to happen. Isabel did not. When the platen opened up, she nearly stopped the press. The only word she could find was "wow".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why "wow" ?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were getting good results with the Lettra. Nice impression, that tactile deboss that we've become accustomed to. The reason why Letterpress, frankly, is on the map. So we were happy. But something we also became accustomed to was the general softness of the image. Oh, we can have a 'hard' edge with Lettra, and we can have saturation to a very high degree. But there is a look that we get used to. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The open fiber nature of unsized paper tends to discuss the imprinted image to a slight degree. A thin line can be reproduced well.... but a field of several hundred cross-hatch shading lines, or "tints" as they were once called - does not permit the softer papers to respond to the plate or die in the same way that harder stock will.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Harder stock takes a lighter "hit". Some call it a 'kiss' impression, a term that I think is misleading. A proper "kiss" from a Letterpress will knock your front teeth out. There is pressure exerted. There always WAS pressure. It just did not penetrate to the rear surface of the paper receiving the image. But oh, yes, there was definately an 'imprint'! We looked for it in 1969 in trade school, we looked for it in 1973 on the pressroom floor, and some papers received quite a bit of "kiss".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hard stock, however, stays flat, the paper surface does not rise beyond the type or die face and onto the shoulder as the print surface makes contact with the paper and impresses. The face, or print surface, is conservatively inked. Once the impression is made, the ink tends to reside on the <i>surface </i>of the paper. There is no <i>discussion</i>, or diffusion of the ink upon open fibers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The result is a more saturated color, and a very fine articulation of fine-line detail. Overall, higher contrast. In the case with Isabel, the image literally 'popped'. A very stark contrast is seen between the presentation of this same image, with the same ink and same pressure on Lettra. Don't get me wrong, the image on Lettra was indeed nice. And, in fairness, the harder stock added to the contrast effect by being a brighter white. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I decided to do some comparison with both the Gray No. 10, and "Everyday Black", courtesy Dave's Ink In Tubes, my new go-to for ink. The photographs that follow are the results.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avI1UhaDd2E/T02PZnWeUnI/AAAAAAAABgg/H9KyCfrxRDY/s1600/contrast+blk1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avI1UhaDd2E/T02PZnWeUnI/AAAAAAAABgg/H9KyCfrxRDY/s320/contrast+blk1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are images of an 1890 Old Series C&P, printed from an 11g. copper advertising cut of the era. The color is black. The paper on the left is Lettra. The paper on the right is a harder Canson cold press. The Canson has two sides, one side holds an extruded finish, the other is smooth, and a bit harder. I chose the harder side.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3xbs-H8do8/T02Paz8yDVI/AAAAAAAABgo/x5m3W6pPPK4/s1600/contrast+blka.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3xbs-H8do8/T02Paz8yDVI/AAAAAAAABgo/x5m3W6pPPK4/s320/contrast+blka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a close-up of the black on Lettra. The image has a reasonable deboss such as is appropriate for this image. The photo is a bit blurry, I did the marco shots without a tripod. Sorry. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIORHaAXI8k/T02Pc7wdLwI/AAAAAAAABgw/75p_2wjNYB8/s1600/contrast+blkb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIORHaAXI8k/T02Pc7wdLwI/AAAAAAAABgw/75p_2wjNYB8/s320/contrast+blkb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the same image, same run, colour, pressure, on the canson. While I mention pressure, I did try to see if increasing pressure would darken the image. It did not, it only reduced the articulation. Thus I was careful to keep the pressure of the 'strike' the same, as much as I could tell.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEt3GBNdTyI/T02PgU1qwAI/AAAAAAAABg4/0Y60vMH3p8w/s1600/contrast+gry1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEt3GBNdTyI/T02PgU1qwAI/AAAAAAAABg4/0Y60vMH3p8w/s320/contrast+gry1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The above image was printed in No. 10 Grey. Lettera is on the left, the hard finished 90 or 100lb card stock is on the right. The finish of the card stock is similar to that of a standard index card.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nn-yGQYx-Iw/T02Phmpd7MI/AAAAAAAABhA/TGpwSuqZaEs/s1600/contrast+grya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nn-yGQYx-Iw/T02Phmpd7MI/AAAAAAAABhA/TGpwSuqZaEs/s320/contrast+grya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is Grey No. 10, same pressure as the black Lettra version above. It is predictably lighter, but a close view shows the individual cross hatch lines are distinct enough to provide a fair degree of articulation. Really, not a bad impression at all. And we purposely chose this colour because we want the text that will be added to dominate attention. After we ran a number of these impressions, and I was sure the ink had leveled, I had Isabel slide in the harder card.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fGIwWGkhrBk/T02Pi5_El9I/AAAAAAAABhI/vGQIYLkzQ-U/s1600/contrast+gryb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fGIwWGkhrBk/T02Pi5_El9I/AAAAAAAABhI/vGQIYLkzQ-U/s320/contrast+gryb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Can you see where Isabel's "wow" came from? (hopefully, you are thinking "yes". Otherwise, boy, will I feel stupid.) The gray is almost as dark as the black, largely owing to the paper's natural color, a bright white. But what is amazing to me is the fine-ness of the tint lines, the shading lines, which are micro-thin. The Lettra sample reproduced these lines well, but the hard stock permitted a contrast and a fine-ness that made the image fairly jump off the card.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is where Letterpress comes into it's own. You can get fine lines from offset lithography, sure, but you will never get this kind of contrast. You don't get that 'pop'. This effect can be taken to the next level by trying gloss card stock, like Krome-cote. We used Krome Cote back in the early '70s for the business cards of the executives at Clarklift Central, Orlando FL. We ran the olive green solid colour 'shells' on a 1250 Multilith and an 1850 Multilith. But the text was printed by moi on our 12x18 New Series Chandler and Price, set by Linotype at the old Orlando Graphics on Sligh Avenue, Orlando . . . in a time long ago and far away . . . . The executives agreed that the names, titles and text data on the card looked far better typset and run on our platen press than when run offset. This was long before Martha Stewart, folks. Never let it be cried in your ear "golly, if we don't deboss....might as well do offset or digital!! Who will know the difference?" Baloney. The difference will be evident, believe me. Yes, even with a "kiss" impression.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope you enjoyed my little 'show and tell', and maybe helped to generate some ideas out there. Letterpress is so much more than punching paper. In fact, the prowess of the Letterpress can - in some ways - be wholly missed if we ignore the beautiful, awesome original and traditional uses thereof.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good Providence in all your Letterpress endeavors!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
-gary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-20796147761743357352012-01-20T22:37:00.000-05:002012-01-20T22:37:56.944-05:00Jarrrid & Jayna's Wedding Announcement.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsTH5_5g67U/TxotrBniolI/AAAAAAAABfg/s7dpgUfGB60/s1600/racewedding+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVILs9-NGDg/Txotr5QZxSI/AAAAAAAABfo/o6GuILDYsGM/s1600/racewedding+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVILs9-NGDg/Txotr5QZxSI/AAAAAAAABfo/o6GuILDYsGM/s320/racewedding+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">These cards are printed on pearl Lettra, which is choice for this sort of work. The colors of Jarrid and Jayna's wedding are navy and yellow, so I did some custom mixing, including some vintage tube inks that go back some thirty years. So, there's the "something old, something blue". . . all that is needed now is the "something new" and "something borrowed".</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTWQz0NhuOw/TxotsS71z-I/AAAAAAAABfw/aCYW-jE1nI8/s1600/racewedding+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTWQz0NhuOw/TxotsS71z-I/AAAAAAAABfw/aCYW-jE1nI8/s320/racewedding+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Jarrid and Jayna's names are set in Bickham Script. The rest of the text is set in Tymes (not Times Roman!) Some of the photos will show there is a deboss to the print. Not heavy, but just enough to be pleasing to see and to hold. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QTI6oZHbRM/TxottgWWv2I/AAAAAAAABf4/ReuAajZRG8M/s1600/racewedding+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QTI6oZHbRM/TxottgWWv2I/AAAAAAAABf4/ReuAajZRG8M/s320/racewedding+003.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Here is some detail of the tree, trunk and grass. The card is printed to a full bleed, and some creativity was involved running the 'plate', or die, so close to the edge, and yet still have a side guide, or gauge, to align the paper in the press. What I wound up doing was using a double stack of Lettra, cut one by four inches, taped together with 3m framing tape, and adhered to the very edge of the image. That way the die could imprint to the very edge without smashing on a standard gauge pin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWkiZllfgfo/TxotuaqNseI/AAAAAAAABgA/8R84PAzEtoM/s1600/racewedding+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWkiZllfgfo/TxotuaqNseI/AAAAAAAABgA/8R84PAzEtoM/s320/racewedding+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Another shot of the text. Photographing printed items to show the truthful depth of impression deboss without exaggeration by the shadow and slant is an art in itself. I'm still on the curve of that art, I'm afraid.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsTH5_5g67U/TxotrBniolI/AAAAAAAABfg/s7dpgUfGB60/s1600/racewedding+006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsTH5_5g67U/TxotrBniolI/AAAAAAAABfg/s7dpgUfGB60/s320/racewedding+006.jpg" width="239" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The press used for this job is a 1936 Chandler and Price New Series, manufactured in 1936. In the world of Letterpress, it's fairly new. The ink used was a mix of Peacock Blue (Kelsey Inks, 1980), Process blue (Dave's Ink In Tubes), Reflex Blue (VanSonn) and "Everyday" Black (Dave's Ink in Tubes). Dies are courtesy Owosso Graphics. Of course, the paper is Crane Lettra, with matching envelopes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Monday, the RSVP will be run. It may prove to be somewhat of an event. Watching the event will be an intern from Mama's Sauce, a student designer, and a Professional designer, plus myself. Perhaps I'll call for a Pizza, and we'll have a "Print & Pizza Party"!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stay Tuned!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-gary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-10542292557979143332011-12-27T22:03:00.001-05:002011-12-27T22:05:15.515-05:00A Beary, Berry Christmas: a Christmas Card Design by Anna Coleman.<hr /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ombJPTld15o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anna decided that she wanted not only to design her card, but to do the actual printing. We decided to use the Pearl OS Model 3 (7x11), despite the absence of rollers. This gave her the opportunity to hand ink the die. It was a bit of a process, but she did develop a cadence. This also gave me a chance to put the Pearl through a few cycles of actual printing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y79AHrNE0PU/Tvp9obY7DYI/AAAAAAAABdo/3tNiQZeG6cc/s320/BearyChristmas+001.jpg" width="239" /></div><br />
We used two types of card stock, a classic white linen finish and a light grey laid card stock, both by Neenah. The original artword is pen and ink on bristol board.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmtTykGSN5Y/Tvp9qE9MMRI/AAAAAAAABdw/FmTv8T_XPxo/s1600/BearyChristmas+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmtTykGSN5Y/Tvp9qE9MMRI/AAAAAAAABdw/FmTv8T_XPxo/s320/BearyChristmas+002.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Anna's favorite subjects are animals. She has a unique style that can give very human personalities to them, yet keeping them completely in their natural animal state. Her graduate portfolio review show was based on "Anthromorphism", the rendering of human likeness through animal behaviour in illustration techniques. Anna has a background in illustrating childrens books going back to her first professional contract at age 12. She currently works at Rifle Studios, Winter Park, and does freelance design as the occasion permits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cards were a big hit. Publication was limited to 100, handed to friends, family, and associates. And dear old dad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048341017276084524.post-88657026536185791972011-12-27T20:28:00.006-05:002011-12-27T21:01:11.178-05:00Ex Libris<hr /><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-qDzChvH_4/TvjtMVNBS4I/AAAAAAAABcg/DKlTdNkfyKw/s1600/Ex+Libris+006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-qDzChvH_4/TvjtMVNBS4I/AAAAAAAABcg/DKlTdNkfyKw/s320/Ex+Libris+006.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
This Christmas found me printing something I always wanted, but never had time to do for myself: Book Plates! Sometimes, these are referred to as 'Ex Libris' cards, or labels. <i>Ex Libris</i> is Latin for "Out of the Library of". Book Plates are as old as the Book itself. It was created to mark the owner, in a day when books could cost anywhere from a months to a year's salary for a skilled workman or Professional. To loan a book was to lend a substantial investment. Figure that, say, Bailey's Etymology, a Dictionary from the 1730s (mine was printed in 1732) took a single printer about one year to compose, set, print, bind, and put into the sales line-up. In some cases books took several years to produce. Matthew Henry's Commentary took so much effort to print that Matthew Henry Himself took part in the process of printing it. As mentioned above, the price of such an item reflects the work that went into it (as well as the demand for it, which must have been likewise substantial!)<br />
<br />
The Book Plate played the same role as a brand mark on cattle. There was no mistake who the owner of the book was. Any attempt to remove the Book Plate left disfigurement that made it obvious that a person's Book Plate was once there, and that the book itself may have been stolen. To put it in today's vernacular, lending a book was much like lending out your iPad 2. You sorta kinda would like it back.<br />
<br />
Book Plates were very personalized. Earlier examples were often very simple printed labels, typeset, with perhaps a decorative border. Many book collectors still prefer these types. Some featured a family's coat of arms, such as the plate on my 1807 copy of Walkers Dictionary, sporting the Plate of John Stephenson Cann, brewer of Wymondham, Norfolk, and owner of the Kings Head Publick House 1780 - 1840: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pYHuWhdLik/TvpzOlKHINI/AAAAAAAABdc/vQwsrvYr-tk/s1600/Ex+Libris+015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pYHuWhdLik/TvpzOlKHINI/AAAAAAAABdc/vQwsrvYr-tk/s320/Ex+Libris+015.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Others carried regular works of art, and were commissioned. In the latter 19th century and early 20th century, many notables of the day had commissioned Book Plates that reflected something about the owner. Masks of Comedy or Tragedy perhaps, if you were an actor. Artists, Scientists, Philosophers, Military Officers, Politicians, Musicians, notables of all walks of life....even silent screen actors.....used custom Book Plates to mark their libraries. And yes, some of these folks had very large, well appointed libraries. It was a very literary era. One that I find more imitated, rather than actuated, today.<br />
<br />
My son in law, Zac, recent biblical studies graduate, mentioned his attraction for Ex Libris cuts and expressed a wish to one day have some for his own growing library. That was all I needed to hear. Dad-in-law happens to have a Letterpress Shop. How convenient.<br />
<br />
I took for the central design a cut that dates to the 1640s. It had been modified when I found it. It is a zinc cut, in very good shape. The design features a Post Rider, known as a Postilion. His dress suggests Germany or Austria. His mount is fully loaded and he is announcing his arrival with what became known as a Post Horn, which became the symbol of the Post in many countries of Europe for centuries. In the upper left is the Arch Angel Michael announcing through a voice horn (fire masters used voice horns, predecessors to the megaphone, well into the 20th century to shout orders in the midst of a raging fire) - or maybe it's Gabriel playing a Sackbut. On the right is Hermes, representing speed, handing off a sealed message to the post rider. Possibly the world's first Air Mail delivery....<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To the lower right we see townsfolk standing, hat in hand in a salutary gesture, awaiting the arrival of the Post. Under the horse we see grave markers, broken impliments of war, and to the lower right we see a ship sailing into a serene and calm harbor. We find flags mounted from a church steeple, from ships' masts. All of these were symbols of things that marked everyday life. Remember, this illustration was cut right at the end of the Thirty Years War, which ravaged Europe. Death, War, Pestilence, invading armies, all determined your circumstance in the realm of things Temporal. The Post Rider carried not only the mail: he was the Six O'Clock Evening News! He was your connection to the outside world. Not many newspapers were in circulation then, that would wait for another generation or so. Hence, the post rider became symbolic for not only news from home, but news from around the world. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5o0D7aQ5iM/TvjtNQ6OtwI/AAAAAAAABco/F12C7hlZqhw/s1600/Ex+Libris+007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5o0D7aQ5iM/TvjtNQ6OtwI/AAAAAAAABco/F12C7hlZqhw/s320/Ex+Libris+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This is a bit of detail. The image is 3.5 x 2 inches. The original illustration was a wood cut. This is a "Zinco" from the original, date unknown. My guess places this cut around 1920. Note the retention of some rather fine lines. I've seen the original cut, and have noted there were some editing that went on with this particular cut, but nothing significant. I chose this cut for the "News" theme. I like to think in terms of "Good News". The news that Christ had come to rescue men from their certain and tragic fate. News that God had so loved His Own that He gave His only son to be delivered for our transgressions and to be bruised for our iniquity. This, Charlie Brown, is the meaning of Christmas.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3DMzQOPwjA/TvjtPDmrbSI/AAAAAAAABc4/IIj1pELTvtA/s1600/Ex+Libris+010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3DMzQOPwjA/TvjtPDmrbSI/AAAAAAAABc4/IIj1pELTvtA/s320/Ex+Libris+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Featured above and below the central cut are foundry cast crowns, from one of my traditional/18th century border fonts, using 18 pt. Lombardy. I am not sure of the name, the type trays that contained these fonts were donated, and date to approximately 1900. I carry these as a titling font, from 18 to 36 point, stored in home-made trays. Home-made, I assume, by the prior owner. The Crowns are courtesy Quaker City Type Foundry, Honeybrook PA. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IeslJoizFd4/TvjtP_IgiUI/AAAAAAAABdA/95WoaCpvmqg/s1600/Ex+Libris+011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IeslJoizFd4/TvjtP_IgiUI/AAAAAAAABdA/95WoaCpvmqg/s320/Ex+Libris+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a close up of the lower portion. The impression is classic 'kiss', that is, enough pressure to adequately transfer the ink from the forme to the paper. The paper itself is a discontinued vellum. I chose this paper because of all the stock that sports the name "vellum", this paper actually has the look and feel of flesh-side vellum. It has very nearly the same translucency and general conformation, although the grade is thinner and much more even in thickness. It is slightly thicker than text weight, but no where near card stock. It was a close-out item at my Orlando supplier, and I grabbed the one remaining ream. I've been picking at it very slowly over the past two years.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-puEUuDTrAgs/TvjtF5w3rUI/AAAAAAAABcA/4s4REo2k8Uo/s1600/Ex+Libris+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-puEUuDTrAgs/TvjtF5w3rUI/AAAAAAAABcA/4s4REo2k8Uo/s320/Ex+Libris+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">My packaging was inspired by fellow blog-spotter <a href="http://ex-libris-seibert.blogspot.com/p/ex-libris.html">Luis Seibert.</a> My package is made from the same vellum as the cards, cut by scissors and sealed with a Letterpress Christmas Seal, the Centennial Commemorative of the first American Christmas Seal designed by Emily Bissel, 1907, for the National Red Cross. I issued these in 2007 and in 2008 from the Florida Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts. Printed in sheets of 12, they are the only commemorative seal that I know of. The design is taken from that very first "Merry Christmas" seal. I thought it appropriate to use it to seal this little 'stocking stuffer'. A cranberry ribbon surrounds the sides, held in place by 3M two-way framer's tape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FArM4GTOQOU/TvjtJRmgBzI/AAAAAAAABcI/VEBVejVgASA/s1600/Ex+Libris+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYHVzwyL3nc/TvjtKC7KMqI/AAAAAAAABcQ/HFTgc4V2qek/s1600/Ex+Libris+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYHVzwyL3nc/TvjtKC7KMqI/AAAAAAAABcQ/HFTgc4V2qek/s320/Ex+Libris+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's a bit of a closer view of the Ex Libris package and seal. Making the package was a project in itself. If I decide to package Book Plates like this all the time, I will be designing a die to make the cuts. That will speed things up tremendously.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOFg1uEcnCE/TvjtQ8ZEb-I/AAAAAAAABdE/WAutrDbOJQQ/s1600/Ex+Libris+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOFg1uEcnCE/TvjtQ8ZEb-I/AAAAAAAABdE/WAutrDbOJQQ/s320/Ex+Libris+013.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Here are a couple shots of the ribbon around the sides. Added a nice touch. It would have been really classy to have a wax seal made. That would require some sort of monogram design on my part. But . . . . that's another project for another day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7r1kTLCrC4/TvjtRsDev2I/AAAAAAAABdM/V65HugIhDXk/s1600/Ex+Libris+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7r1kTLCrC4/TvjtRsDev2I/AAAAAAAABdM/V65HugIhDXk/s320/Ex+Libris+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, in conclusion, the specs:<br />
Size: 3.75 x 2.625 inches, horizontal orientation<br />
Paper: Magna Carta Parchment "Coachlight" vellum finish, 60 lb, grain: long.<br />
Inks: Kelsey Brown, tube, mfg 1980 ; Black, "Ink in Tubes"., purchased this year.<br />
Type: 18pt Crown ornaments, monotype, Quaker City ; text: 18 pt. Lombardy, foundry: unknown<br />
Center cut: Zinc, 3.25 x 1.75 inches, hardwood base, mfg. unknown, age unknown.<br />
<br />
Availablilty: upon request. E-mail wd4nka@aim.com<br />
<br />
That's it for now. Good Providence in your continued Holiday observation, and a safe, prosperous New Year!<br />
<br />
-gary.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0