International Printing Museum Tour

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Randy

While we’re closed, here’s a great printing museum to tour virtually.

Part 1: Introduction to Printing

Part 2: The Gutenberg Press

Part 3: The Country Newspaper Shop

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Print Shop Closed

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Randy
Some printing from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. Change Spanish to COVID19 and we could print it today.

We’ll post a notice when we’re open again. Follow us on twitter @ConestogaPress there are some great special letterpress postings online that I’ll try to relay. Take care and be well.

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Printing at the Pressed Plate

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Randy

On Saturday, February 22, 2020, we will be printing on site at the Pressed Plate at 52 East Main Street in Ephrata, PA. We are helping to celebrate their first anniversary by printing a special souvenir from 2 – 4 PM. The Pressed Plate is a great local eatery that has a printing theme adopted from the building they occupy which used to be the location of the Ephrata Review. There will be other events throughout the day including the release of “Pressed Plate Pale Ale” by Pour Man’s Brewing in their tap room on the premises.

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Packed Shop for Christmas

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Randy

We had a good turnout for the cold and rainy day and at times the shop was full. It started with a full staff and all volunteers donning aprons and performing various tasks while talking to visitors. After Jeff solved a complicated puzzle in printing the border on coasters in two colors visitors printed this year’s christmas cut in the center on the Bronstrup iron press.

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Christmas Open House

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Randy

The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley cordially invites you to “Christmas at the Mansion” on Sunday, December 1, 2019 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Visitors will be able to tour the grand Italianate mansion and learn about the Connell family, who built the home in 1868. Students from Cocalico High School will provide musical entertainment, and children can visit with Santa. Guests will also be able to print their own souvenir coaster, using an authentic antique press in the print shop. Light refreshments will be served.

Start your holidays in Victorian grandeur and explore the history of the Cocalico Valley. As always, admission is free! The Connell Mansion is located at 249 W Main Street, Ephrata. For more information, call (717)733-1616.

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Join Us at the Lancaster Printers Street Fair

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Randy
Click on logo for more information.

Saturday, September 21, 11:00 am …..to….. 4:00 pm

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1866 Complaint About Printers

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Randy

“”My book is delayed among the printers,” wrote Walt Whitman in a letter to his friend John Burroughs dated September 10, 1866. “It is a little over half done, & they promise it shall be done, or mainly so, this week.” Whitman’s optimism was unfounded; The book in question, the fourth edition of Leaves of Grass, would not see print until 1867. He hoped it would be the final edition — he was wrong on that front too.” – The American Literary Blog (9/10/10 post).

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Auroral 24 pt.

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Randy

We have a small 24 point font of this great shadow type. Ours is stamped Chicago Type Foundry, but their catalog, that of the Marder, Luse & Co., does not have it listed in copies I was able to find. It is found in the Cleveland Type Foundry Catalog and the H. H. Thorp Mfg. Co. Catalog.

We used it in our 2019 Christmas Card to set the greeting “Merry Christmas”.

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Broadgauge Ornate Type

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Randy
lowercase letters
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Ancient Gothic Type

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Randy

Have identified a slightly bolder version of this as Keystone Type Foundry’s Ancient Gothic (1891) by William W. Jackson. I can’t see that there were light or other versions of it. Is there some other style I’m overlooking?

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