Conestoga Press

Visiting Ottmar Mergenthaler’s Gravesite

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Randy

I wasn’t able to be in the print shop last Saturday because of several days at a meeting west of Baltimore. Sitting in the hotel I realized we were only 15 minutes from the grave of the inventor of the Linotype. I had planned the visit as part of another trip to Inner Harbor, but didn’t have time to make it to the cemetery. With the help of staff I was able to quickly find it and also found it adorned by a “Happy Birthday” piece of linotype.

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Monkish Type Identified

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Randy

My biggest thrill is postively identifying a type, especially when it is an older ornate type that may have some historical significance. We have that and we have several unknown serif styles that are close to one thing or another, but not anything in the massive type books we have. This one is an early one that’s even more exciting because it’s in good shape although quantity-wise there’s enough for some titles, but not much more. By it’s nature, though you wouldn’t be doing paragraphs of it anyway. We have it in 24 and 36 point without any missing letters as far as I can tell. I’m still looking for the “and” pieces though. I’m hoping they were placed somewhere with borders or graphics.

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Charter Day at the Ephrata Cloister

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Randy

Three of us were guest printers at the Ephrata Cloister during Charter Day, a day when all PA state historic properties are open free. The day was very cold and the print shop there was only slightly better heated than at our Conestoga Press. It was also helpful to have something close to a production run on the new press to see what must be done to it to get it printing.

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A New Old Press

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Randy

Jeff makes some adjustments to the new reproduction English Common Press at the Ephrata Cloister. The press will once again allow demonstrations on a wooden press at the site. The Ouram press, just out of view in this photo is beautiful, but can’t be used to print because of it’s historical value. The Cloister was the bginning of the rich history of printing in the area and is just a few blocks from the Conestoga Press. Along with the Heritage Press and other local history, Ephrata is a great destination for those interested in letterpress.

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Support a Letterpress Printer Today!

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Randy

8aa123450d2905857f9a2abac3af527a_original We have a unique opportunity to support a printer and a hiker on Kickstarter. Lindsay Schmittle, owner, designer and printer of Gingerly Press is planning to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail next year. To support this effort she has started a Kickstarter Project where for your support you can receive some pretty cool printed notebooks and/or prints. Check it out. Lindsay is one of our favorite Pennsylvania letterpress folks and she produces some very creative work that celebrates the old processes, but at the same time takes them to a new horizon.

Check out her Kickstarter Project Here!

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2016 Christmas Cards Available

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Randy

Starting Saturday, October 8, the 2016 Christmas cards will be on sale at the HSCV Library. Stop by to pick yours up. It’s a limited edition and we think we’ll sell out this year because there has already been a great reaction by those who’ve seen the photo that photographer Don Reese has so generously allowed us to use. What do you think?

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Come See Us at the Letterpress Fair!!!

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Randy

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Museum of Printing Soon to Re-open in Haverhill, Mass.

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Randy

Last Saturday I was fortunate enough to stop by the Museum of Printing, formerly of North Andover, Massachusetts; now just a bit further north in Haverhill, but conveniently located immediately off 495. They are in the process of moving since last year and there’s still much to do, but I also saw some great stuff there. It’s going to be great!

Thanks to Ted for waiting for me at the old museum for so long before finding me at the new one! You can check out pictures on the web site of the big move and watch for progress. Compare the photo online to the library cabinets being installed to the one below. – Randy

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See What’s in the June AAPA Packet

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Randy

Watch as I go through the latest AAPA packet at the print shop. As a member of the American Amateur Press Association I get this packet monthly filled with other members’ work. It’s a source for ideas and inspiration at the Conestoga Press as well as providing some great stuff to post on the walls. You can check out the AAPA web site at http://www.aapainfo.org/

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Obelisk Type Identified

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Randy

We have this in 36 and 60 point. Identified on page 399 Specimens of Type – ATF 1981 reprint of 1896 copy. Originated with Mackellar, Smiths, and Jordan Foundry, Philadelphia. Photo of type in compsing stick here is reversed.