Blog

To all our blog readers, come the end of June the Barrett's close Letterpress Services and Letterpress Things and steal silently away for two weeks of vacation. If you email or call understand that we're away. Best to await our return July 10th. Open dates for the summer are posted and will be updated the first of August. Have a fun-filled and safe summer!

June 21st

Today was college day with graphic arts folks from several regional schools coming by for type and supplies. It's encouraging to learn how many more college arts programs are offering letterpress. From the conversations the fall should see more offerings.

It was nice to see and chat with Sara and John from Monseratt which has several presses including a Golding and a Vandercook. From Plymouth State was Terry and associate who recently purchased a Poco and stopped by to begin acquiring tools and supplies.

Mid-afternoon Ben and Lynn dashed in with lots of questions about setting up their 8 x 12 C & P. They're off to a good start but had a few problems to overcome.

The "fun" visitor of the day was Emily who just several days before had bought a 5 x8 Kelsey and was starting from scratch. Since it was slow we settled into the Print Shop where she inked up and pulled her first impressions. . . wow, I love the look on a person's face when they pull their first impression, even took a photo while she did it. How many of us have photos of our first impression?

June 15th

5th Annual Printing Arts Fair, Museum of Printing, North Andover, MA Certainly the best Fair yet with more crafters and demonstrations. While the weather was threatening most of day the bulk of activities were inside. The highlight was the recently acquired newspaper press setup and running. We had tables setup outside with supplies. . . it was great to see many of our friends come by and meet a few new letterpressers.

June 5th to 8th

The event of our lifetime finally arrived -- the APA Wayzgoose which we produced and hosted here in West Springfield. Despite the rising cost of gas and airline tickets 50 members and 29 guests came to the Clarion Hotel to enjoy and participate in the 4 days activities

Members started arriving Wednesday; Thursday was a trip to Sturbridge village and their print shop. Their staff tell me they've never had a more interested group come by, seems they enjoyed themselves as much as we did. That evening all strolled down the driveway to Cal's Restaurant where we relaxed, dined and socialized well into the night.

Friday morning was a trip north to Deerfield Village. The rain stopped in time and although soggy, seeing their print shop was a treat. Carl Darrow had created a keepsake with an APA logo and members were able to print their own two-color keepsake right on the Albion.

Come afternoon members were shuttled to Letterpress Things for our Open House. Altogether more than 80 people on the 4th floor. What a treat to have Dave Churchman, Dave Peat, John Horn, Rich Hopkins, David Rose and 40 plus other APA members milling about the aisles of the store. Late afternoon we all migrated down to the second floor to Dave D's studio/shop for a superb Italian buffet (he had the space for 80 people to dine). Frankly, what a dining venue. . . everyone relaxing in a warehouse surrounded by presses, equipment and type cabinets enjoying good food (with meatballs the size of tennis balls!), beverages and desserts. [In fact, the gal driving the shuttle bus has since asked about classes.]

Saturday was a full day of activities beginning with the Swap Meet. With over 30 tables set up, there was alot letterpress stuff for sale. The Auction filled the afternoon with the Dave and Dave Team performing their usual great job of moving "stuff".

The evening was reserved for the Banquet and the Clarion Hotel presented an outstanding meal. After dinner two of APA's members, Rich Hopkins and David Macfarlane were introduced. Since it was the 50th Anniversary of APA the theme of the program was "A Glance Back. . . a Peek Ahead". Rich detailed some of the history of APA and David offered insights into letterpresses future in the digital world.

All to soon Sunday arrived and farewells were bid. . .but the echo heard was "see you next year in Iowa" for the 09 Wayzgoose.

May 24th

Memorial Day weekend and as expected it was quiet. With the APA Wayzgoose coming up much to do getting the store ready for the Open House. First visitor of the day had recently taken delivery on a complete shop. Andrea brought along a number of type fonts for review, questioning their worth and quality. If the rest of inventory was comparable she has quite a collection to work with. However, from the sheer bulk of what was received she has lots to do arranging and inventorying.

A long time friend and associate, Darrell stopped in. . . nothing special, simply wanted to hang out and poke through the shelves, drawers and cases. When this occurs we generally come up with all sorts of treasures. Joining Darrell was Bill W. who likewise had no special needs. . . interesting the consversation when two long time letterpressers get to talking.

But the star of the day was Jennifer who started not to long ago. In she came with list in hand for supplies but decided in addition to take along a very nice cabinet and a bunch of type for it. End of the day began to open up space for the APA Open House.

May 3th

A quiet day in the store but a steady flow of letterpressers throughout the day. First in was John from the New York area with smile from ear to ear. . . he had just picked up a #4 Vandercook for a great price. . . free! Primary purchase was a cabinet to mount his Pilot on but rounded out items needed for both presses.

Soon after Martha came in likewise happy as can be. . . she had just acquired a Vandercook Uni 3 and needed a bunch of supplies.

Late morning, Peter from The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in New Jersey, and Leonard from SUNY in Purchase, New York arrived. The Museum had just received a Washington Press and needed type, furniture, tools, etc. With Leonard's guidance a complete package of "things" and a variety of "early" type fonts was assembled and loaded. They will certainly have a superb exhibit when completed.

One of the great features of visiting Letterpress Things is the socialization that takes place. On the one hand are two individuals who have just acquired Vandercooks and the other, a fellow who is a master on the Vandercook. The discussion went on for quite awhile, the exchange of info was extensive.

Early afternoon Holly came by for supplies and some odds and ends. She had had an "oops" with her Golding Pearl and needed some assistance in how to repair a brackett. Also, Carey returned to pickup her Kelsey. She had taken Kelly's "Experience" class, found a Kelsey that needed some work, and had dropped it off for service. Happy she was since she and family are about to move to Chicago and the press is ready to print once there.

Final guest for the day was Matt. Since it was a decent day he climbed on his motorcycle, took the back roads from Connecticut to the store and we chatted for quite awhile. He has a labor intensive prop card. . . 3 color, very tight register!

My thanks to all who came by. . . what with the climbing price of gas, it's appreciated.

April Ramblings. . .

We put on some miles in the old big blue van (a 95 Ford E350 with 1 ton capacity, extended body). On the first made a late afternoon run to Ispwich to pick up a Kelsey and than onto Rockport to preview a cabinet of plates. The

folks in Rockport may have thought I to be anti-social since I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Shortly before arriving a small kidney stone started to pass and frankly, I wasn't much in the mood to chat. A long two hour drive, with a real pain in the side, finished off by a terrible thunderstorm ten minutes from home. . . a hell of a trip! (The stone did pass quickly!)

Few days later zipped down to New Haven to drop off a galley cabinet at Davenport College. Raleigh gave me the tour of the print shop, got to meet a few of the students working there, what a great letterpress resource for them.

Mid-month packed up the traveling Print Shop and spent the afternoon at Mystic Seaport demonstrating printing on a table top press and typesetting. Answered dozens of questions and offered ideas about setting up an interpretive format for them.

The big haul of the month was with Andy and his pick-up to North Bennington, Vt to remove a complete shop from the basement of a house. This kind of removal is where I get the big bucks. First there was an 8 x 12 Prouty with foot treadle to be broken down to go through a 30" door. The base then was rigged and winched up 8 steps to the outside, hauled across 50 feet of wet ground, than ramped into the bed of the pick-up. Of course all the removed parts had to be carried out and packed. Next was the table top cutter, broken down and hand-carried up the stairs out to the truck. Than came the "easy" stuff: four type cabinets with 100 plus cases of type, generally two at a time out to the van. The "miserable" part was a huge number of standing forms which we tried not to pi to badly so better type could be redistributed. The full removal took about six hours combined with four hours of drive time meant arrival back at the store about 6:30 p.m. The pickup was off loaded and two extremely dirty, very tired guys headed home. JoAnn is accustomed to these kind of trips: the dirty clothes come off in the garage; it's a fast supper and I'm asleep soon after! As to the van, it got unloaded the next day.

End of the month, a trip to the Museum of Printing for a Board Meeting. Much to update about the recent collections the Museum had received; as usual the financial reports which show the Museum coming out of the winter with a few dollars to spare (thanks to some nice donations and a number of new members!); and review of plans for the upcoming Book Fair. [Personal note: the Museum of Printing, while it has seen some tough times, is growing, getting steadily stronger. Membership is up as are donations and contributions. Some outstanding materials and items have been received and are being processed for display. Plan to visit soon and consider becoming a member. . .it's a great resource for the letterpress community.]

April 26th

Spring is in the air and thoughts of gals and guys everywhere is about. . . letterpress! What a busy day with 20 folks coming by. The long distance award goes to Patrick and Eve all the way from Montreal. They'd taken a workshop at Kelly's Mayday Studio in Montpelier, Vt and now needed supplies. Imagine their surprise when I was able to produce a font of Caslon French Accents, brand new in an ATF package that was at least 60 years old! There were travelers from the "Big Apple" too. Perry Tymeson, the vandercook service guy, popped in for some tools. Right behind him was Dikko Faust and family from the Purgatory Pie Press, a real treat to see them and get caught up on what's new in their studio. From Mystic Seaport came Linda with several of the letterpress interpreters. We're helping the Seaport set-up and equip what will be a hands-on interpretive printing experience for visitors to Mystic.

Tony came in for few supplies, hadn't been by for over a year. Down from New Hampshire came Tim, a real "politician"; and Ray, who'd just bought a Pilot, had dozens of questions, and needed all the table top "things", the ink is going to fly around his house.

As it was a really busy day didn't have much time to chat with everyone so here's a big belated hello to Kara, Stu and Barbara, Victoria and John, Tom, Bill, Rob, Jill. Your support and making the trip from wherever home is is appreciated.

April 12th

Well, it's April! The days are getting warmer, couldn't be happier to see dandelion blossoms (although I'll think different in the summer when they're in my lawn). And a wild day at the store; Kelly had an "Experience Workshop" and one of the largest crowds so far this year came in.

Among the travelers; Elizabeth from New Jersey who was in Kelly's class learning the 5 x 8 Kelsey and went home with hers and all the supplies. Maggie and her friend back from NYC to pick up her Kelsey that was in for service. It was an older model (one of the early black, square handled types) that required some extreme machining on the gripper bar so to install the grippers.

A young couple from Boston, Conor and Carey (and their baby) came in looking for a birthday present for Carey. What nicer gift than a printing press and all the accessories to start a lifetime of printing! Carey will be taking Kelly's next "Experience" workshop. . . a good plan for them since a move to the midwest is in the near future. Shelley from Albertine Press picked up a few things including some cutting rule and advice on diecutting. With her, Melissa scooped up the entire "check list of supplies for the table top printer" and was itching to get the press she'd just found up and printing.

Stephanie, a local book binder, brought a friend from Canada in: Christine left with a nice selection of wood type orphans. And, it was great to see a long time letterpress friend, Neil who's looking fit as a fiddle. Always fun "negotiating" with Neil! The day's "success" story; Val from here in Western Mass is setting up a Vandercook and needed some really big sheets of tympan. Up on top of one rack, 30 sheets almost the exact size. Had them for a while, don't remember where they came from but knew some day somebody would walk in for them! And back for things for her press was Carol (who'd also taken one of Kelly's earlier workshops). Plus, after much, much deliberation and discussion she decided to buy a Golding Pearl.

My deepest appreciation, and Kelly's too, for the folks who make the trek to Letterpress Things. It's always great to see you all. . .some come from considerable distance and we try to make the trip an enjoyable one. Thanks for your support!