Can't resist

A printers "hellbox" is where old type goes to die. Thrown into a convenient receptacle because it's worn or damaged, hellbox type finds new life only by being traded to the typefounder, who melts it down to make brand new type.

After the Wayzgoose in Phoenix, we traveled to Skyline Type Foundry in Prescott. I had a reasonably full hellbox to trade in-- but this pic shows the granddaddy hellbox of them all. It's from the International Printing Museum, where I volunteer once a month.

Even after the feeding frenzy of the Goose, and our new purchases at Sky's, could any of us resist pawing through it? Might there be good sorts? There were a few still-wrapped fonts in there!

Thanks to Tom Parsons for this shot.

More Victorian

 Biggify to truly enjoy this great old design!

 Purchased from Dave Peat, well-known collector: Bruce's Ornamented No. 1515, known as Belgian (despite the label!). I found out that Dave Peat had purchased Paul Hayden Duensing's cutting of 24 Belgian, and Bob Magill of Monumental Type Foundry cast them. Duensing himself wasn't pleased with it, and cast only a few sorts before selling the mats to Peat. I don't know how many fonts Monumental produced: Dave had two at the Wayzgoose, and I bought one.

The Bruce Company itself was in business for most of the 19th century. Their designer Julius Herriet Sr. is given credit for the lowercase in 1867, two years after its initial use as a titling font. Thanks for Dr. David MacMillan for fuller information.

Victorian Dreams

When I began letterpress printing 26 years ago, very few fonts were available to me, and none at all which captured the exuberance and style of the Victorian era I so love. Fast forward to the revival of revival type foundries-- and my prayers are answered. Skyline Type Foundry has reproduced some decorative fonts long unavailable for purchase, including one of my favorites, Arboret. To get a better view of this beauty, please double click to biggify. You won't be sorry!

PS Not the best pic, but still!  :)

The friendly proprietor and me