It's time now to reopen. . .

To say it took longer than planned or anticipated is a major understatement!!! It has been a long, slow - at times a challenging and frustrating - journey to build out our new space here in Holyoke. Dozens of pallets of cabinets and fixtures, type and supplies, first hauled into nearby temporary storage have been retreived one pallet/wagon full at a time. Inventory has been schlepped in, laid out on shelfs and counters, put away in drawers and cabinets, logged and labeled/priced. And yet, there’s still a little left in storage to be brought in.
But a point has been reached where we feel comfortable reopening the doors to the letterpress community again. The following photos highlight the organized layout of the floor. Indeed, very different from the expansiveness of the 4th floor in Chicopee! Here in Holyoke, it’s compact, tightly arranged and filled with lots of letterpress stuff to rummage through. Indeed, no stairs or elevator; ground level mere steps from parking; lots of good light and electrical plugs. And wait for it. . . heat during the winter, and air conditioning for the summer months!!!
JoAnn and I really look forward to seeing all our letterpress friends and associates again. . . you all have been missed! Open dates begin Thursday, June 26th. . . scheduled dates through August are available here. Whether you visited us in Chicopee once or numerous times over the past several decades. . . or are just getting started in your own letterpress journey, a new, different, wonderful letterpress experience awaits you!
As seen in the following photos, space is limited. Frankly, our concern is a large turn-out any one time/date could impact a visitor’s ability to move about or linger in one spot; to leisurely view counters and displays; poke about on shelves, pull out and peek in drawers; and/or just casually hang out! We would ask you contact us by email or text to make a “reservation“ for a 2 to 3 hour time period on a given day/date. If a particular time/date is being heavily requested, perhaps an alternate day could be considered. Simply put, if you’re going to take the time to drive here, then we want you to be able to enjoy and experience all that’s available here for you. And directions to get here are. . . here. Safe travels. . . hope see you soon!

The Barrett’s — John B / JoAnn

Almost Done!

Last December we were notified our lease was not being renewed, “Be out in two months.” An impossible feat, so we pushed back, and gained a reprieve to May 31, 2024.  Planning and preparations began early January.  First task was to find convenient, nearby warehouse space as temporary storage and as a location for lots-to-bid-on in a High Bids Win auction.  By happenstance, a former Letterpress Services customer graciously stepped up offering both available space and utilities, and moving stuff began soon after.

Open Dates continued into April while behind the scenes decisions were being made daily about: what to keep/move to storage; what could/would go to trash; and often painfully so, what could be disposed of as scrap having little or no momentary worth despite whatever the intrinsic value.

The numbers are staggering!  Overall, 170+ pallets total, schlepped by hand down an elevator, into/out of a truck and into the storage area.  Equipment, machines and presses; cabinets—both empty and with type; shelving, counters, tables and tools; dozens and dozens of cartons packed/palletized with inventory supplies, books, paper, ephemera and more.  Three 10-yard dumpsters and 16 truckloads of trash to landfill; 27 truckloads of scrap metal to a recycling yard. With trash and scrap combined, 48 tons of matter hauled out and away!

Initially, we anticipated being finished by the end of May.  Our expectations of exiting as promised were far exceeded by the physical reality of the task.  Finally, June 28th we walked away leaving locks and keys behind; six months of the worst physical and emotional strain and stress ever experienced in our lifetimes!  

The first week in July we did nothing except rest, sleep and enjoy coffee (and an occasional beer) on the deck!

Along the way, in late May an impromptu visit to another former LPS print shop customer led to the availability of space in their building.  Following a brief tour and several hours of intense, freewheeling discussion of all the possibilities the location offered to both parties, Letterpress Things had a new location!

The second week in July the build-out of our new home began.  It took about a month to clean the space out, construct counters, build an office and “stations”, and arrange cabinets/fixtures. Recent weeks cartons and cartons of stuff have been brought in from storage, opened and contents put away in their PAL’s [properly assigned locations].

By happenstance, this new spot is a mere feet from the storage area. So close that transport of stuff can be done with bindery carts in minutes!

We’re almost done! Most cartons have been unpacked, type cases returned to cabinets, and supplies/things sorted and put away. Presently, we’re in the midst of an unexpected chore. . . a complete review of all our inventory lists verses inventory itself. Between packing, transport and unpacking, things have become a bit messed up; working to get it all organized. Once completed, the website will again be activated with the supplies, type and tools you’ve come to enjoy purchasing from us.

We’re excited for two reasons: first, the relocation is almost done! This has been one helluva project for folks in their 80’s. Truly the most emotional and physical stress ever experienced. Second, the new Store is polar opposite of what Chicopee was. Of course, neat, clean and well-organized; but compact and well lit; ground level and temperature controlled (AC and heat!). No “View from the 4th” but a canal system in the area that supported Holyoke’s various paper mills with numberus great spots to view and photograph.

The next posting here in “John’s Blog” will highlight the Store’s interior. As a bit of a tease, here’s our new look outside so you’ll know how to recognize us at #8 Hanover Street in Holyoke, Massachusetts!

John B / JoAnn

We’re in the process. . .

In January, 2024, the task of removing everything (equipment, machines and presses; cabinets—both empty and with type; shelving, counters, tables and tools; dozens and dozens of cartons packed/palletized with inventory supplies, books, paper, ephemera and more) from the Store in Chicopee, MA to a nearby temporary storage facility began.

In late May, an impromptu visit to a former Letterpress Services’s print-shop customer led to awareness of available space in their building.  Following a brief tour, and several hours of intense, freewheeling discussion of all the possibilities the space offered both parties, Letterpress Things had a new location! Holy smokes, in Holyoke - 01040 - just across the Connecticut River, less than a mile from the Chicopee location.

So, when the build-out of the new space has been completed, and stuff in tempory storage has been transferred and unpacked, you’ll be welcome to take a drive over to our new location at 8 Hanover Street, Holyoke, MA, to say “Hello” and experience an all new and refreshed Letterpress Things!

John B / JoAnn

letterpress things' new home
8 Hanover Street, Holyoke, MA 01040

Letterpress Things Must Move...

With a touch of sadness yet with great anticipation we announce that Letterpress Things must move from 55 North Chicopee Street

For 23 years here in Chicopee, MA the fourth floor of an old New England mill building has been the repository of “things” letterpress and the destination of 100’s of letterpress practitioners. For many beyond the area, the occasional “View from the 4th “ photos highlighted the scenery to the West, the vagaries of our seasons and offered a sense of being here.

Shortly before Christmas last December, new building owners informed us that our lease would not be renewed. Moreover, the premises would need to be vacated by February 29, 2024. Period! The entire fourth floor and one half the third floor; 10,000 square feet of equipment, cabinets, counters, shelving and “stuff”. All in less than three months!

Once the shock dissipated, and after some very serious discussion, a reprieve of three months may yield an extension until May 31, 2024. And thus, began planning for the next iteration of Letterpress Things – THE STORE!

First and foremost. . . we are not closing! Our intentions are to continue to be the unique resource the letterpress community has come to know and rely on. But. . . we do need to move, and soon! And it’s going to be an intense, physical, short-term effort!

It has started with the third floor being emptied with trash, unnecessary fixtures and scrap metal disposed of. Machines and equipment are now being moved to offsite space for evaluation and photography. An online auction is being established with Paul Brubaker’s “High Bids Win” to run in March. Initial search efforts have begun for an available, appropriate, affordable, and convenient-to-reach location. Once found and contracted for we’ll let you know where.

But business as usual? As best possible! Certainly through the website with supplies, kits, type, icons and other “things” as and when posting can be done. Please understand response time may be a bit longer, depending on day-to-day activities.

Open Dates? We will pick up again in March and April. Most likely none in May; we’ll be getting established in a new location.

Our thanks and appreciation to the letterpress community for all the decades of support, friendship and now going forward, your patience and understanding. This was an event never anticipated. . . frankly it does hurt a bit! We’re the third letterpress entity to experience the hammer of eviction in less than a year. Ken Kowalski, Mark E Sackett. . . we really feel your pain!

As corny as it sounds, with our last name, we will ‘grin and barrett’ and continue on!

Two Special Saturdays

This Saturday — the 18th — is our 23rd Anniversary! Today’s Anniversary Year Gift List details “Air” as the theme. Appropriate this year in an odd way!
The weekend before Thanksgiving in 2000 we walked up four flights of stairs to begin setting up the Store. It was warehouse space, and therein, heat was set at about 55 degrees. Period! For the next 20 winters, we existed wearing layers, wool socks and finger-tip-less gloves. Many of our letterpress visitors through the years can remember — and take pride in — having experienced and persevered the chill of the winter months.

Our Meter

OuR HEATER

In 2019, a new heating system was installed throughout the building. Yet, because it’s “warehouse” space, the temperature setting stayed the same. Fast forward to present times, new building owners installed a brand new gas meter just for our space. And for the first time in 23 years, we have a gas bill! But then again, we now have heat!
Now, it’ll be kept cool most days; layers, wool socks and gloves still in use. But come an Open Saturday, our teeth will no longer be chattering. We’ll keep it in the “balmy” 60’s.

The following Saturday — the 25th — is “Small Business Saturday”. As a small business, we appreciate the recognition. For years we’ve been open Thanksgiving weekend; and it’s a wonderful, crazy shopping weekend! But more so, there are letterpressers returning home for the long weekend, or others coming to the area to visit friends, families or take in some of the local Holiday events.

One such event is “Bright Nights” in Springfield’s historic Forest Park area and it’s been named as one of “America’s Top Ten Holiday Happenings in America”. Experience 700,000 lights along a three mile woodland drive. It’s a joy for children and adults alike. Check out the brightnights.org website for more details.

So there are two great Saturday Open Dates coming up. JoAnn and I would love to have you stop in and visit. . . and yes, of course, pick up a “thing” or two. And even if you can’t stop in, have a wonderful, safe and happy Thanksgiving!

John B - JoAnn - Vincent - . . . and the elves!

LA Printers Fair

It’s October. . . and we’re westward bound once again to Carson, CA for the 2023 edition of the International Printing Museum’s Annual Printing Fair. Dates for the event are Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd - both days 10 am to 4 pm. As in years past, our location is in one corner under the tent in the parking lot, near the stockade fence and benches where all our pizza boxes get lined up.

(1) Preparations begIn about three weeks prior to the event and we start with an empty crate, lots of small boxes and larger cartons.

(2) All sorts of letterpress stuff — type, icons, wood type, plates, tools, supplies, books, ephemera, and more — get boxed, put into cartons for added protection and placed in the crate.

(3) The top goes on and, this year, after a dozen+ securely wrapped open cases of our metal fonts are stacked on top. Wrapped with corrugated, tightly banded and completely encased with shrink wrap, it’s ready to travel.

(4) The final step—call the carrier, load it and watch it pull away for its 3,000-mile journey west. Next time we’ll see it is in the parking lot at the Museum in California.

And that’s when preparation 2.0 occurs. It all comes out, cartons and boxes opened, contents removed and organized on brightly covered tables. Friday night the 20th we hunker down for a good night’s sleep ‘cuz, come Saturday morning, the letterpress community shows up in droves!

If you’re in the region, hope you can come by and renew old friendships. Or if we’ve communicated by email, phone or texts, it’s always nice to meet face-to-face. Looking forward to being there!

John B - JoAnn - Johnny B - Mar

Bon voyage. . .

In a few days the Barrett’s will slip out-of-town for a long awaited, dearly needed vacation. Historically, we’d close our businesses - Letterpress Services and Letterpress Things - the latter part of June and travel off to some far-away place to rest and rejuvenate. No difference this year, , , in a few days we’re on a plane once again to a funfilled location! Destination, , , well, we’ll tell you all about it in a couple of weeks. One of the great things during vacation. . we always celebrate our Anniversary while away. No difference this year. . . except this year it’s our 50th!!! So, we wish you a long, pleasant, safe and healthy summer season. We’ll be back in a few weeks and raring to start another letterpress year, and another year of partnership!
John B / JoAnn

A Letterpress Swoop...

This weekend — Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th — we’re having a good ole’ fashioned “Letterpress Swoop.” What’s that you may ask? That’s when a large assemblage of letterpress stuff is gathered up in one place. In the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, often times it was right in an actual print shop that was closed, or about to close. Word would spread throughout the letterpress community; on the given date(s) the shop owner opened the doors and, like locusts, letterpressers would come in swarms.
Many of today’s “mature” letterpress craftspeople got their start or greatly enlarged their shops by attending such events. Many, many treasures would be found, prices haggled, handshakes given and a lot of stuff got hauled away. They were indeed social events; letterpressers came from miles around! Truly win/win situations for shop owners and for letterpress practitioners.
Forward to the present day, long time friend and associate — Dave Donahue — has resided on the second floor of the building [Letterpress Things is on the fourth floor]. Dave is presently downsizing and relocating to a different, nearby building. Over several decades an impressive collection of letterpress and bookbinding equipment has been amassed. To lighten the “load,” a month ago much of his bookbinding stuff was auctioned through “High Bids Win.” Now it’s time to dispose of a portion his letterpress stuff.
Ten+ cabinets of type, a variety of table top presses, boxes and pallets of “letterpress things” are being hauled up to the fourth floor. The next few days will be helter-skelter arranging things and laying out small stuff. Sorry, this event developed very quickly so there are no lists of fonts or items to share. Best we can offer is come on by Saturday or Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm. There’ll be lots to browse through and we can all enjoy reminiscing about letterpress as it was 40 years ago!

John B / JoAnn

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Ten+ cabinets with type

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Large size type in galley trays

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Wood Type fonts

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table top presses

Welcome to February!

JoAnn's knee replacement surgery and convalescence is now well behind her!  The surgery went flawlessly; physical therapy early on was a bit rugged, but she has persevered, even now continues to exercise.  In fact, after only eight weeks, she was back on hand last Saturday, greeting friends and visitors during our first Open Date of 2023!

    As for the Store, in early December a long overdue reorganization of the "Front End" began.  Plans were to not open until everything was in "place."  However, great plans sometimes take longer than anticipated.  As January dragged on, it became apparent we had to open for the New Year!  That we did on the 21st and the turnout was beyond expectations! Thanks to all who came by to wish us well.

    The purpose of the reorganization was to centralize the supplies and products seen on eight website pages in one general area on the floor rather than having them scattered throughout the Store.  With the help of some hard-working letterpress elves behind the scenes, more and more "stuff" is being prepared for sale both in-store and online.  

    There's more to be done physically on the floor to set up the "Market Place" plus the cabinet and machine displays.  All are works-in-progress right now.  The website also will soon undergo an exciting platform upgrade.  2023 was seen as a year for growth and expansion; it got here before we were finished and ready.  We've not let up. . . there's more to come soon, stay tuned!

John B/JoAnn

photo: Eric Johnson-DeBaufre

We went West to the Printers Fair in California!

It took us almost three weeks to select, clean, gather, wrap, box and pack up a little more than 1,000 lbs. of type, plates (plus a variety of "one-of-a-kind" items). And as usual, a heaping table full of supplies for the working printer for this weekend’s Los Angeles Printers Fair at the Printing Museum in Carson, CA. This shipment set a Letterpress Things record for variety and weight, so we expect that whatever you think you might need, want, or learn about from some of the best minds in letterpress will be at your fingertips on Saturday and Sunday.

If we can’t entice you to take a trip to our Letterpress Things Store in Chicopee, Massachusetts (Fall is a beautiful time to see the leaves change color in New England) to see more of everything and some additional things you never thought you could take home, stop by during the Fair because there will be tables and tables of things to choose from. Bring your “wish list” too because the holiday season will be upon us very very soon and everyone’s favorite letterpress fanatic surely could use another tube of ink, a box of wood type or an elegant assortment of icons and ornaments (see our website for details).

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This is one of the wood fonts we will have for you to see at the fair.

Open this Saturday, October 1st

Admittedly it’s a bit late getting this blog post up for Saturday. Our focus since our return from the Lancaster Fair is on gathering/boxing stuff to be crated for shipping to Carson, CA in about a week. But we are open this Saturday the 1st as well as October 15th and 29th. Of course, you’ll see us on the West Coast at the International Printing Museum in Carson on the 22nd and 23rd.

For Saturday, there are a few wood type fonts left from Lancaster. Two small shops were retrieved recently; both had some additional fonts are now out on the floor. And we’ve been working doggedly to process out more icons, borders, plates and type onto the counters. so stop by, say hello and take something home with you so you can start printing for the upcoming holiday season.

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It’s Fall in New England now, tell-tale signs are popping up all around. Nights are chillier, bright colors are creeping into the woods. October is a busy month but just a prelude for the next two months. Letterpress activity starts to build; thoughts begin to turn to. . . ye gads, Holiday cards!. Keep us in mind for suppllies. . . print an extra card, send it to us, we enjoy posting them in the Store.

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A quick reminder: it’s become necessary to change our Instagram Account User Name from “Letterpressthings”. The new Account User Name is “letterpressthingsjsb”. Our Facebook Account remains the same.

Follow us on the new Instagram account & we’ll follow you right back!

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Stay safe, print soon and often! JB/JoAnn

The Lancaster Fair

So we're gathering/packing for the Lancaster Printers Fair this Saturday, Sept. 17th at the Ken Kulakowasky Ctr, 117 Parkside Ave, Lancaster, PA. Coming loaded with lots and lots of letterpress "things" for you to look at and take home with you at the end of the day. We are bringing:

• 20 cases of type;

• 30+ fonts of type;

• 20+ fonts of wood type;

• 80+ packs of icons;

• 200+ plates. A dozen plus books.

  Plus a variety of "one-of-a-kind" items: miter, slug cutter, brackets, etc. And as usual, a heaping table full of supples for the working printer. Weather will be 10+. Looking forward to seeing you all again!!! JB/JoAnn

John carefully packages all of the wood type for the trip down to lancaster.

Joann makes sure every plate and cut also are handled with care. it takes a village.

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typefaces (some “families” in different sizes) include: Liberty, Weiss, Boulevard, Globe Gothic, Pepita, Devinne, Maxim, Goudy handtooled, columina, Gallia ,Caslon, caslon italic, arrighi, goudy open, centaur, caslon openface. Other fonts are boxed and appear below.

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Saturday, August 20th...

Letterpress Things will be doing letterpress business at two locations — on the East Coast and the West Coast — at the same time on the same day. It’ll be a first for the Barrett family! The Store - in Chicopee, MA - is typically open every other Saturday during the year [varied by Holidays and personal events]. Throughout the year, you can find us at various letterpress events and Fairs across the country.

In Carson at the Museum we’ll have plates, wood type fonts, icons, kits and supplies. Emphasis will be on “things’ and tools needed by “newbies” who maybe purchasing presses and for others who are equipping new setups.

Occasionally an event will fall on a scheduled Open Date so we juggle things around to support the organization holding the event. This August 20th, the International Printing Museum in Carson, CA is holding their Fifth Annual Wayzgoose Celebration & Surplus Sale. It’s a day filled with special tours, printing and book arts demonstrations, including large wood type posters! The Wayzgoose is also the Printing Museum’s annual sale of surplus printing presses, type, printing cuts and more!

What makes this August 20th unique is there’ll be a “John Barrett” at both locations! In Chicopee, at the Store, “John B” [the ole’ man]; and in Carson, at the Museum, “Johnny B” [the son]. Johnny B grew up in the family letterpress business; many friends of the Store will remember him from retrievals and helping out in the early years. Now living/working in SoCal, many West Coasters will recognize him from recent Printing Fairs, pitching in to help JoAnn and me with the “heavy lifting”. [What good sons are supposed to do!]

come cruise our tables of wood type fonts, icons, plates, kits and a variety of supplies you use and new ones you might need.

In Chicopee it’ll be “Things” as usual. There’s a lot more metal type in the store for you to look at and want to take home; we have a good quantity of wood type, plates and icons on the tables and counters. We’ve recently established a Book Section with a variety of printing books. And work is underway building a poster and ephemera library.

The 20th is just around the corner! East Coast or West Coast, bookmark your calendar and come by to participate in another milestone for the Barrett’s and Letterpress Things.

John B. . . JoAnn. . . and of course, Johnny B!

More "Things" online. . .

After the first of the year, a concerted effort was started to upgrade and expand our website. As with any IT project, setbacks have been inevitable. [Especially for an old man with limited computer knowledge.] Establishing pages for various letterpress stuff wasn’t just a matter of crafting a Page with infomation and photos. Each Page details specifically chosen, tangible items — lots of them — for sale! To support an individual Page requires gathering like things together to create both a detailed online inventory and an efficient, physical storage system.

For example, to create a Page for type, fonts in cases, packages, tied-up bundles and on galleys needed to be sorted, inspected, identified, logged into an on-line inventory, and then conveniently stored for quick, efficient retrieval. Fonts needed to be priced for resale; select fonts chosen, cleaned when neccessary and photographed. In short, it takes a helluva lot of time and physical work behind the scenes to support the Type Page - all the product Pages - you see here on the website.

At the moment, nine pages of letterpress “things” are now live and current on our website: LT-Type; Wood Type; Swamp Press; Icons; Full Case Fonts; Books; Market Place Things; Assembled Kits; and Single Item Supplies. There are two more - Cabinets and Machines - being worked on now and soon to be posted. Take a minute to check out the various Pages [the links below work]. Bear in mind, everything shown on the website [right now] is on-hand. Items, as they sell, will be quickly marked “sold” and we’ll attempt to replace things as tmely as our life and schedule permits. And if you can, plan a visit to the fourth floor on one of our Open Dates; it’ll be an “experience” you’ll enjoy and brag about once you return home.

JB and JoAnn {and sometimes Vincent, 3rd generation letterpresser!]

Letterpress Things Website

PAGE CONTENT. . .

Updated 5/13 > Open Date Info
Updated 5/7 > John’s Blog
Current > Single Items
Current > Assembled Kits
Updated 5/13 > LT Type Fonts
Updated 5/13 > Wood Type Fonts
Updated 5/6 > Full Case Fonts
Updated 5/13 > Icons
Updated 5/6 > Books
Updated 5/13 > Swamp Press
Updated 5/6 > Market Place Things

Story of a retrieval. . .

After months of discussion, a trip to Saturn Press on Swans Island off the coast of Maine was scheduled for the weekend of December 18th/19th [2021]. The task was to pickup cabinets of type and printing plates no longer essential to Saturn’s greeting card production. [NOTE: Saturn is still in business: this project was to retrieve and pass along type and plates no longer used.]

As the date approached so was a snow storm creeping up the Atlantic coastline. The truck rental was moved up to Friday afternoon from Saturday morning. Loaded with pallets, tools and straps we left home Saturday morning at 2:58 am. under a full moon encircled with onimous storm rings. Eight hours later we arrived at Bass Harbor, cautiously boarded the Ferry, an hour later drove off on to the island to Saturn Press’ shop/store..

For the next six hours four type cabinets [with contents], four half pallets of assorted letterpress stuff and a four column, 12 x 18 galley cabinet [with contents] was stuffed in. From the way the vehicle looked, we were probably loaded to maximum weight! Once finished a hearty dinner was enjoyed with Jim and Jane, proprietors of Saturn Press, and then off to bed for a welcome night’s sleep.

Awoke before daybreak Sunday morning, and as anticipated, found about six inches of snow on the ground. The drive back to the Ferry was partially along an unplowed road! Cleaned off the truck, boarded the Ferry, watched the island slip away in the distance off the fantail, and back on to the mainland. Weather conditions for the return home: drove about three hours on snowy/slushy roads; then three hours under sullen, gray skies on wet roads; and the final three plus hours under clear blue skies towards the West, fighting intense glare every mile. Arrived home, safe and sound; tired and physically aching. Total statistics: 900 miles, 18 hours of driving; 88 gallons of diesel fuel. What was the worse part of the entire trip, you may ask? The truck didn’t have a working radio!!!

. . . and then Monday morning we had to unload. But that’s another story! Come on by this weekend to see all of what we brought back. JB

Loading on Friday Night

Very Early Saturday Morning Departure

Moon Ring Tells Us Snow is Coming

Boarding the Ferry to Swans Island

Landing on Swans Island

Saturn Press

First Pallet is Loaded

Early Sunday Morning to the Ferry

Cleaning Six Inches of Snow off the Van

Leaving the Island

Returning to the Mainland

Back Home Sunday ... Finally

We've been a bit. . .

. . . low key for a couple of months; not to say we haven't been busy! Our attention has focused on two areas: website and incoming inventory. On the website, existing Pages — Individual Items — Letterpress Type — Swamp Press Type -- have been fine-tuned, better organized and more detail. And several new Pages have been added — Wood Type -- Full Case Fonts -- Market Place Things - take a minute to check them out, see what’s just been added.
From late November on several new type consignments have come in and two small press-shop purchases have been completed. Processing all this "new" stuff — logging items into inventory, pricing, sorting and putting things out on the tables and counters — takes time and energy. The short day light hours, the teeth-chattering low early a.m. temps and the frozen precipitation every week or so just isn't conducive to hours of physical effort despite having some heat now in the Store, [That's why the website has been expanded and is up-to-date, it's warm in the office!]
If you'd like to see for yourself all the letterpress "things" posted on the various website Pages - as well as hundreds of other fonts, tools, supplies, etc. come on by this Saturday, February 19th - 9 am to 3 pm. Weather for the day is looking good. So combat cabin fever. . . take a road trip and enjoy being immersed in things letterpress for a few hours! We’d enjoy seeing you. . .

John B/JoAnn

Our trip West. . .

The Barrett’s trekked West to attend the 13th annual International Printers Fair in Carson, CA on November 6th and 7th . Ahead of us went a crate of 750 lbs of type, things and supplies which proved to be not quite enough! Canceled last year, the Southern California letterpress community turned out in unprecedented numbers. By the end of Saturday a few of our items were sold out. Our heart-felt thanks to the dozens of people who stopped and shopped our tables. Best-of-all was the opportunity to greet the many friends we’ve met and know over the years in the region.

On the personal side: our son lives in Long Beach just few miles from the Museum.. We took some extra days to visit, relax and wander around the area.

Took a day trip out to Santa Catalina Island. On the way over we weaved in and around dozens of container ships – at least 50 counted. You see the video on TV News; being there, seeing it first-hand, was mind boggling.

Coming home, our connecting flight out of Dallas was canceled. The airline eventually got us to Reagan in Washington DC, but we had to hunker down overnight in the terminal. Gratefully, we found some comfortable armchairs. and settled in. Next morning, we continued on an am flight to Bradley/Hartford, and then home sweet home.! All-in-all, an awesome adventure for the Barrett’s!

A wood type weekend...

Saturday, October 16th and Sunday, October 17th — “Orphans” and “Broken Fonts” Clearance Sale

“Orphans” are randomly assembled in pizza boxes and displayed by Line size. There’s more than twenty 18” pizza boxes crammed full to browse through and select from—even a few almost-filled open cases. 3, 4, 5, 6 Line up to 18, 20 Line, even a few “big” ones. They’re all spread out on counters in “The Room.” To buy, you’ll purchase an 8 1/2” x 11” x 1” [letterhead] box and you’ll fill it. If you want to do a second box, you purchase another one, and then fill it. But, you’ll only work on one box at a time.

“Broken fonts” are packaged in various conveniently sized, covered boxes for secure transport. As of this writing, while we’re still sorting and processing, there looks to be at least fifteen or more broken fonts — most missing only one letter, some 3 or 4 characters. The broken fonts will be located elsewhere in the Store and individually priced according to the face, it’s character, completeness and condition.

PLEASE NOTE:
At this time we’ve no complete fonts available for sale. This is a ‘ORPHAN” and “BROKEN FONT” clearance sale. For all you designers out there, this is a chance to let your creativity to run amuck. We strongly suggest that you wear a mask while making your selections in “The Room. The number of individuals browsing at the counters will be limited at any one time. Gloves will be available for you and we suggest they be worn. This will be a unique event; so come on by to enjoy the experience and the day.

JB & JoAnn

Post Labor Day. . .

the heat/humidity has final abated; working on the floor will be much more enjoyable now! We took some down time the past week, poked around a bit, just veged out .

But we're back at it again. First up is this Saturday's Open Date - September 11th from 9 am to 3 pm Doing some reorganizing of tables and counters; bringing out stuff brought in during the summer from several retrievals and consignments.

Next week we begin gathering and packing stuff for our trip to the Lancaster Printers Fair,117 Parkside Ave,, Lancaster, PA. A two-day event; Friday, Sept 17, 5 - 9 pm, Wayzgoose and Open House. Saturday, Sept 18, 11 am - 5 pm, the Printers Fair [same location]. More info at lancasterprintersfair.org.

Letterpress Things will be there with a bunch of tables and supplies, type, tools, books, etc. for "mature" letterpress printers and "newbies" alike. This Fair has grown since its inception; a great venue to visit, hang out at, meet fellow letterpressers, pick up supplies and letterpress treasures. Hope to see you during the day!

We enjoyed a different view from the 4th floor this morning, September 8th. . Somewhere across the CT River in that fog is the City of Holyoke, once known as "The Paper City". Always enjoy that view when I come in in the morning; one of the perks of being on the 4th floor of a New England mill building.

APA Wayzgoose. . .

The Museum of Printing will be the focal point of letterpress activity in New England this weekend. The Amalgamated Printers Association - APA for short - is holding a four day Wayzgoose at the Museum at 15 Thornton Street, Haverhill, MA 01832. The first in-person Wayzgoose in several years, of interest to members and letterpressers locally/regionally will be Saturday’s events: a good-ole fashioned letterpress SWAP MEET opening at 8:30 a.m., and a letterpress AUCTION starting at 1 p.m. These events are always lively and are a superb venue to acquire letterpress stuff. Truly a letterpress experience for beginners and seasoned printers.