The Magic That Is Letterpress
Some of you digital age kids ;) may not recognize what the images in our introductory post are, so maybe there’s some ’splaining to do. The top image are wood type letters; the bottom one shows metal type. They are used in letterpress, a dwindling printing technique that nevertheless still counts many fervent admirers.
“Letterpress puts a bite into the paper; there’s a three-dimensional quality that no other printing method can equal.”
But what better way to demonstrate what exactly letterpress is than by simply showing the printing presses and the people operating them in action? Because, as John Kristensen, proprietor of Firefly Press from Somerville, Massachusetts, testifies, “Ultimately it is the process. What the the printer loves is the doing of it.” Below is a wonderful short film by Chuck Kraemer, who filmed John Kristensen and his apprentice at work.
Video from Elsa Dorfman found via I Love Typography
The video is a touching testimony to a vanishing art. But as John Kristensen expresses, “It will die – eventually – because people will no longer remember how to do it. It’s OK. I’m only responsible for my watch. I’m thankful every day that I get to do this.” Moving stuff.
And for the font spotters among you, the video features cameos by Garamont/Garamond No. 3, Cochin, Bodoni, Bembo, Michelangelo, Bulmer, and Perpetua, amongst others, and assorted borders and ornaments.
See the video in full resolution on Vimeo.
header image Small letterpress shop in Pt. Reyes Station, California, August 2003.
© J. Lurie-Terrell
7 Comments:
I think it might have to do with being very involved and serious about their craft. Don’t forget many think letterpress is going the way of the dinosaurs. I sure hope not, and so doesn’t P22/Jim Rimmer. ;)
Excellent video. Thanks for posting. The only thing I don’t like about it is the attitude towards computers. John makes it seem like there is something wrong with doing typography on computers. I disagree. I’ve worked on computers all my life and I still appreciate the art of the letterpress. I acutally just recently had my sons baptism invites letter-pressed. It’s a gorgeous process.
I understand what you mean when you say you don’t like his attitude towards computers. Being one of the “digital age kids” myself (hence the wink ;) I have grown accustomed to this kind of remarks. What John was saying gave me the impression that – more than disapproving of computers – he is rather intimidated by them and simply wouldn’t know how to handle them; hence the “too many options” and the “no rules”. I don’t think he was being overly negative about them.
Lovely short film. I’m a student at Artevelde (Mariakerke), and our lector has shown us the ancient process of letterpress briefly, but seeing it in action makes it far more intriguing. Thanks for this!
I found it very beautiful. And I disagree, there will be always someone doing it, like many other old ways. Past and present can coexist, I would suggest for those fearing disappearence, to do a video of the full letterpress process. That way it will last for ever. Beauty is eternal.
I grew up on letterpress, literally; it was the family passion. If you’re interested in knowing more about letterpress as a hobby, here’s a thriving organization of amateur printers:
http://www.aapainfo.org/
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Yves wrote: “a dwindling printing technique”. At St Bride’s they’re convinced letterpress is undergoing something of a revival:
http://stbride.org/events/letterpress
A very nice line-up of speakers.
About the video: a “touching testimony” it may be, it is also somewhat pompous and heavyhanded — but maybe that’s just me.