Christmas Open House @ HSCV

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Randy

Come by 12219352_1116161468409096_4646181119453737738_nthe Historical Society on the corner of Main and Oak streets December 6 from 1 – 4 PM. We’ll be printing a special card in the print shop, there are special displays, music, decorations, and of course, COOKIES!

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Emanuel Rau Press on Loan

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Randy

IMG_2680The Emanuel Rau Press shown was converted by Harry Stauffer to demonstrate letterpress printing. We’re still trying to understand how the press was originally designed to function but plan to use it as Harry did, to demonstrate printing at various events. We know that Emanuel Rau seems to have been mostly involved in envelope manufacturing. The press is graciously on loan from it’s owner, a member of Harry’s family.

Check out the calendar and come by the Print Shop to see it.

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Come See the Itinerant Printer October 10!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Randy

Saturday, October 10, 2015 – 9AM until Noon (at least)
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Chris Fritton, the Itinerant Printer, is visiting letterpress printshops across America, producing unique prints at each venue culled from their idiosyncratic collections of antique wood type, metal type, cuts, ornaments, and photopolymer plates. ese prints are being mailed back to followers and supporters of the project as postcards (and care packages) from the road. He has visited Universities, book arts centers, private printshops, upstart presses, and well-established presses. And NOW he’s visiting The Conestoga Press! Come meet him and a whole lot of other printers since members of the American Amateur Press Association is starting out a day-long outing with us!

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Print Shop Apprentices Ride in Style in Ephrata Fair Parade

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Randy

FullSizeRenderApprentices Madelyn and Isaac rode on the back of a new Mustang to represent the Future, following an antique car that included two costumed Historical Society members riding in the rumble seat. A banner preceded both with the Society’s motto: Preserving the Past for the Future.
Weather was beautiful for the ride following a lengthy waiting time. They still looked cheerful as they waved for the TV cameras near the end of the parade at the judges stand.

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Jimmy DiResta Does Bookbinding

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Randy

My favorite video blogger and maker, Jimmy DiResta makes a book.

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Dynamo 36pt. 48pt.

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Randy
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Formerly posted as a mystery font, Stan helped us solve this one. It’s Dynamo, designed by H. Ihlenburg and patented March 3, 1881. Cast by MacKellar Smiths and Jordan, Philadelphia.

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Kantner’s Book of Objects

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Randy

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A visitor dropped by the Print Shop today to share a book, meaning to trustingly leave it with us to study until they return in a week or two to retrieve it.  Knowing of our interests in engravings, this one contains 2036 fine old engravings meant to help German speaking children learn English. It was printed nearby in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1887 and called, Kantner’s Illustrated Book of Objects containing over 2000 fine engravings with explanations in English and German. Want to see it? There are at least two versions online at the Internet Archive free to download in a variety of formats.

Kantner’s Book of Objects, Boston Library Copy – Yellowed background (shown).

Kantner’s Book of Objects, Google Version – whiter background but not as detailed.

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Announcement Roman 14pt. 18pt.

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Randy

Typeface designed by Morris Fuller Benton and released by the American Type Foundry in 1917. (Represented here by Society Page, a revival by Nick Curtis in 2009.)

Announcement RomanTypeface entries are for those typefaces found in the Conestoga Press shop. We will be entering them as we get them better organized. To see all entries simply choose the Type Catalog Category at the right. The title line will include the point sizes we have available.

 

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The Inland Printer – Reading from the 1800’s

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Randy

Inland Printer 1898-04So what might you have been reading sitting around the Conestoga Press in the 1800’s had we been operating back then. Paul G. introduced me to a couple of beautiful magazines that hawk printing equipment and show off beautiful composition and layout. You can read a couple of the volumes of The Inland Printer. It’s not quite the same as laying it out on Paul’s dining room table, but since Mrs. G. might not want us all crowding around her dining room it will have to do. Check it out.

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Adding Proofs of Cuts and Ornaments

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Randy

Mortise01The apprentices always enjoy proofing our cuts and ornaments. We have a substantial collection which hasn’t been organized. We’re working at getting proofs of each one and cataloging it in the same way we’ve been working to organize the type. Meanwhile we’ll show them off in our online gallery on the Equipment page. Check them out and watch as we continue to add them. Click on the image you find there to see them enlarged, sometimes with notes. This one is a frame of flowers mortised in the middle so you can change the phrase you see here.

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