I found this set of 1 inch printing blocks in an antique store in Oregon early this year for about $50. I don't get them out too often, but when I do it always begins with joy, continues with tediousness, and ends with a rather tired arm and only a few sentences printed!
Based on the style of the typeface, I'm guessing this is from approximately 1890, give or take a decade. I have the complete set except for the lowercase w which is easy to make with a double v. I'm not sure what the original use of this would have been. I'm guessing they were used for signs in a store, possibly, because of the "For" and pointing finger, but it might have been for school or who knows what else.
To my delight, my modern gel ink pad (certainly without question, the best ink pads) smells almost just like the old ink smell this set has.
I remember finding just such a set a long time ago and used it (and only it) for the origination of all the degree show publicity posters and tickets for my year at college. After the artwork was made, I seem to remember the printed copies being done in silk screen. And I just remembered, I made cardboard hanging mobiles of words from songs with the set too. Mostly Frank Sinatra lyrics. Possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant. A set like this is almost essential, really, if you're into type and graphic design from an older perspective. I've been keeping my eye out for a sans serif set (it would be brilliant to have one of the old late-1800s sans serif fonts!) but I haven't seen anything this large that has both upper and lowercase.
DeleteI've made a few random things with bits of song lyrics but I never really thought to make anything lasting or decorative of it. I think I might try that out, I have a few ideas already. :)
Congratulations on the wonderful find. I have never seen such a set before. They look interesting and I'm sure they are fun to use.
ReplyDeleteFascinating... messy, but fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I didn't get a single bit of ink on my fingers. It looks a lot messier than it really is! (although I almost got ink on my nose from smelling it. I think that's bad, isn't it?)
DeleteVery cool.
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ReplyDeleteThe typeface is De Vinne, a design from the 1890s, but I would be surprised if this set was that old. The same face was used for similar sets here in Britain for many decades, they were sold to shopkeepers for producing price tickets and showcards — I have an almost identical set called 'Barret's Silent Salesman' (slogan: "A well Ticketed Article is half sold") which came with all sorts of single-stamp phrases like "Today's Price", "Finest Quality" and "Special Value". They're great fun, though, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI am trying really hard not to make a whole set for myself now :p
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the find, it's gorgeous!