Arboret Ornaments

Just to show off how nicely Arboret's ornaments are packaged at Skyline Type Foundry.

That is a wonderful method: all pieces labeled, and the label itself dated. Thanks, Sky!

I ordered two boxes of ornaments, not knowing if they'd ever be cast again once Sky runs out of the original casting. I laid them into the California Job Case with the two sizes (12 & 14 pt) of type. It would be awkward to store two boxes of ornaments separately from their designated typeface. I added labels so I can tell which ornaments are which.

As you can tell, I am a big fan of the "cordwood" type arrangement. It prevents delicate kerns from breaking, and the face itself from scratches caused by other sorts.

Since Arboret is a caps-only face, I laid the actual 12 and 24 point letters in the lower case sections of this California case. This leaves plenty of room for the ornaments to inhabit the upper case section.

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.

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

Too Much of a Good Thing

I have a challenge to meet for my Amalgamated Printers Association (APA) June bundle: a mini-poster to compose and set. Guidelines are 3.5 x 5" size, no font over 24 pt, and the rest is up to me.

I searched both shops for my little bust with the Phrenology map on it, but that cut cannot be found. I decided to rely on words and typefaces, in the manner of a 19th century poster or title page, changing styles every line to show off the type.

It's now set, using a combination of revival castings and actual antique fonts, and I'm happy with it. Minor detail: the type as it sits measures five inches! There's no room for top and bottom margins. Aargh.

The job is lurking on the stone awaiting my further attentions. Something surely has got to give!