Letterpress Collection

Typesetter at work
A compositor at a the Lund Humphries print works places a small type glyph on a forme rack, finishing a page of imposing surface text prior to inking and printing. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Sheet of paper peeling away from a printing forme imprinted with the letters ABC and image of a flower

The expulsion of the prodigal son, c.1540-c.1550. Creator: Cornelis Anthonisz
The expulsion of the prodigal son, c.1540-c.1550. The son (Filius Prodigus) is driven out by poverty (Paupertas), while superstition (Superstitio) and heresy (Haeresis)

The prodigal son eats from the pigstrog, c.1540-c.1550. Creator: Cornelis Anthonisz
The prodigal son eats from the pigs trough, c.1540-c.1550. The son (Filius Prodigus) eats with the pigs from a trough, it says: Ferment of the Pharisees (Fermentum Pharisaeorum)

The return of the prodigal son, c.1540-c.1550. Creator: Cornelis Anthonisz
The return of the prodigal son, c.1540-c.1550. Son (Filius Prodigus) kneeling and embraced by father. Around them love (Dilectio), truth (Veritas), Hope (Spes)

The prodigal son receives his inheritance, c.1540-c.1550. Creator: Cornelis Anthonisz
The prodigal son receives his inheritance, c.1540-c.1550. Father sitting at the table under canopy, son (Filius Prodigus) opposite him with money pouch

The Tree of Jesse, from a book of hours, 1505/10. Creator: Thielmann Kerver
The Tree of Jesse, from a book of hours, 1505/10

Annunciation, from a book of hours, 1505/10. Creator: Thielmann Kerver
Annunciation, from a book of hours, 1505/10

The Man of Sorrows and Mater Dolorosa, 1512. Creator: Wolf Traut
The Man of Sorrows and Mater Dolorosa, 1512

Coat of Arms of Scheurl and Tucher Families, 1512. Creator: Wolf Traut
Coat of Arms of Scheurl and Tucher Families, 1512

Page from the Gaceta Callajera (October 3 1895) relating to the death of the government mi... 1895. Creator: Anon
Page from the Gaceta Callajera (October 3 1895) relating to the death of the government minister, Don Manuel Romero Rubio, 1895

Broadsheet relating to the triumphs of the bullfighter Ponciano Diaz in Spain, a co... ca. 1900-10. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet relating to the triumphs of the bullfighter Ponciano Diaz in Spain, a corrida (ballad) in the bottom section, ca. 1900-10

Broadsheet relating to the calavera (skeleton) Jiricuana, a corrida (ballad) in t... ca. 1895-1910. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet relating to the calavera (skeleton) Jiricuana, a corrida (ballad) in the bottom section, ca. 1895-1910

Broadsheet depicting Saint Judas Thaddeus, 1905. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet depicting Saint Judas Thaddeus, 1905

Broadsheet with Saint Camilo de Lelis in bed surrounded by demons, priests and the... ca. 1900-10. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet with Saint Camilo de Lelis in bed surrounded by demons, priests and the Holy Trinity above, ca. 1900-10

Broadsheet with portrait of Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, ca. 1900-10. ca. 1900-10. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet with portrait of Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, ca. 1900-10

Broadsheet relating to Our Lord of the Hospital (Salamanca, Guanajuato) on a crucifix on a... 1903. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet relating to Our Lord of the Hospital (Salamanca, Guanajuato) on a crucifix on an altar, 1903

Broadsheet relating to Our Lady of Refuge with prayer, 1905. Creator: Anon
Broadsheet relating to Our Lady of Refuge with prayer, 1905

The Holy Mountain, folio 3 from The Holy Mountain (Monte Sancto di Dio), 1477

Danck-Predikatien, Gedaen over de laste slach by Worcheseter, op den 18 September 1651. Creator: Unknown
Danck-Predikatien, Gedaen over de laste slach by Worcheseter, op den 18 September 1651, 1651

Christ, after His Transfiguration, Exorcises the Devil from the Lunatic, from Leven...1929
Christ, after His Transfiguration, Exorcises the Devil from the Lunatic, from Leven Christi (Life of Christ), Plate 44 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1495, portfolio assembled 1929

The Baptism of Christ and Forest Scene from Leven Christi (Life of Christ), Plate 43...1929
The Baptism of Christ and Forest Scene from Leven Christi (Life of Christ), Plate 43 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1495, portfolio assembled 1929

Battering Rams from De re militari (Concerning Military Matters)... 1472, portfolio assembled 1929
Battering Rams from De re militari (Concerning Military Matters), Plate 45 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1472, portfolio assembled 1929

Hazelwort from Gart der Gesundheit (Garden of Health), Plate 16...1487...assembled 1929
Hazelwort from Gart der Gesundheit (Garden of Health), Plate 16 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1487, portfolio assembled 1929

Devotional passages with ornamental borders from Andächtig...1493...assembled 1929
Devotional passages with ornamental borders from Andachtig Zeitglocklein des Leben und Leidens Christi, Plate 17 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1493, portfolio assembled 1929

Saint Otilia from Plenarium, Plate 27 from Woodcuts from Books...c. 1483...assembled 1929
Saint Otilia from Plenarium, Plate 27 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, c. 1483, portfolio assembled 1929

The Woman Healed of an Issue of Blood from Plenarium (also called...1489...assembled 1929)
The Woman Healed of an Issue of Blood from Plenarium (also called Deutsche Evangelien und Episteln, or German Gospels and Epistles), Plate 36 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1489

Book of Revelation (Seven Trumpets) from The Bible (also called the...1485...assembled 1929)
Book of Revelation (Seven Trumpets) from The Bible (also called the Tenth German Bible), Plate 28 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1485, portfolio assembled 1929

The Eunuch from Terenti cum directorio, Plate 29 from Woodcuts...1496...assembled 1929
The Eunuch from Terenti cum directorio, Plate 29 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1496, portfolio assembled 1929

Beggars and Their Vanities (recto) and Of Irate Women (verso) from...1497...assembled 1929
Beggars and Their Vanities (recto) and Of Irate Women (verso) from Navis Stultifera (Ship of Fools), Plate 30 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1497, portfolio assembled 1929

The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy from Heiligenleben, Sommerteil (Lives...1488...assembled 1929)
The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy from Heiligenleben, Sommerteil (Lives of the Saints, Summertime), Plate 20 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1488, portfolio assembled 1929

Jesus Calling Zacchaeus from Geistliche Auslegung des Lebens Jesu...c. 1485...assembled 1929
Jesus Calling Zacchaeus from Geistliche Auslegung des Lebens Jesu Christi (The Spiritual Interpretation of the Life of Christ), Plate 15 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, c

Duke Otto of Saxony and his Wife, Theokemia from Sachsen-Chronik...1492...assembled 1929
Duke Otto of Saxony and his Wife, Theokemia from Sachsen-Chronik (Saxon Chronicle), Plate 33 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1492, portfolio assembled 1929

Man purging fluid from lungs (recto) and Plant for abdominal pain (verso)...1491
Man purging fluid from lungs (recto) and Plant for abdominal pain (verso) from Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health), Plate 35 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1491

Saint Conrad from Der Heiligen Leben, Winterteil (Lives of the Saints... 1487...assembled 1929)
Saint Conrad from Der Heiligen Leben, Winterteil (Lives of the Saints, Wintertime), Plate 40 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1487, portfolio assembled 1929

The Seven Sleepers from Der Heiligen Leben, Sommerteil (Lives of the... 1487, assembled 1929)
The Seven Sleepers from Der Heiligen Leben, Sommerteil (Lives of the Saints, Summertime), Plate 39 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1487, portfolio assembled 1929

Holy Roman Empire Coat of Arms with Cologne Coat of Arms from Koelner Chronik... 1929
Holy Roman Empire Coat of Arms with Cologne Coat of Arms from Koelner Chronik (Cologne Chronicle), Plate 37 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1499, portfolio assembled 1929

Pope Miltiades (recto) and Saint Gereon's Basilica (verso) from Koelner Chronik... 1929
Pope Miltiades (recto) and Saint Gereon's Basilica (verso) from Koelner Chronik (Cologne Chronicle), Plate 38 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1499, portfolio assembled 1929

David and the Chosen Men of Israel Accompanying the Ark from The Bible... assembled 1929
David and the Chosen Men of Israel Accompanying the Ark from The Bible (also called the Ninth German Bible), Plate 19 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1483, portfolio assembled 1929

The Fox and the Rooster from Fabulae et Vita (Fables and Life), Plate 25 from Woodcuts... 1929
The Fox and the Rooster from Fabulae et Vita (Fables and Life), Plate 25 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, c. 1500, portfolio assembled 1929

The Man Who Therefore Preached to the Reeds (recto) and The Armed Noble Who... 1929
The Man Who Therefore Preached to the Reeds (recto) and The Armed Noble Who Presumed Much but Did Little (verso) from Fabulae et Vita (Fables and Life)

A Token from a Dead Young Brother (recto) and Father Mucius in His Cell (verso)... 1929
A Token from a Dead Young Brother (recto) and Father Mucius in His Cell (verso) from Altvaeterleben (Life of the Patriarchs), Plate 6 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1488

A Pope Installing a Bishop from Speculu humane vite (Mirror of Human Life), Plate 7... 1929
A Pope Installing a Bishop from Speculu humane vite (Mirror of Human Life), Plate 7 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1488, portfolio assembled 1929

Saint Wilbolt from Heiligenleben, Winterteil (Lives of the Saints Wintertime), Plate 3... 1929
Saint Wilbolt from Heiligenleben, Winterteil (Lives of the Saints Wintertime), Plate 3 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1475, portfolio assembled 1929

Saint Policarpus from Lives of the Heiligenleben, Sommerteil (Saints, Summertime)... 1929
Saint Policarpus from Lives of the Heiligenleben, Sommerteil (Saints, Summertime), Plate 2 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1475, portfolio assembled 1929

Saint Quiriaco from Heiligenleben (Lives of the Saints), Plate 8 from Woodcuts from... 1929
Saint Quiriaco from Heiligenleben (Lives of the Saints), Plate 8 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1489, portfolio assembled 1929

Bishops, Prophets, and Kings from Schedel Weltchronik (Schedel's World History)... 1929
Bishops, Prophets, and Kings from Schedel Weltchronik (Schedel's World History), Plate 10 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1496, portfolio assembled 1929

Saint Lupo from Heiligenleben (Lives of the Saints), Plate 5 from Woodcuts from Books... 1929
Saint Lupo from Heiligenleben (Lives of the Saints), Plate 5 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century, 1488, portfolio assembled 1929

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"Preserving History: The Art of Letterpress" Step into the world of letterpress, where typesetters meticulously arrange metal letters to create beautiful works of art. As the ink-covered rollers glide across the printing forme, a sheet of paper peels away, revealing perfectly imprinted letters and an enchanting image of a flower. Letterpress has played a significant role in capturing historical moments. From "The Life And Times Of Queen Victoria 1901" to "The Irish Rebellion Of 1848, " these printed pages hold stories that shaped nations. Imagine the forging of pikes during this tumultuous time or witnessing Vickers-Armstrong Elswick Works in Newcastle Upon Tyne bustling with activity. Travel back further in time as we explore "The Venice Haggadah" from 1609, housed at Museum Israel in Jerusalem. This exquisite piece showcases intricate illustrations and text that transport us to Renaissance Italy. But letterpress isn't limited to history alone; it also captures joyous occasions like Prince's birth celebrations in 1662. Mathaus Küsel's plate illustrates an awe-inspiring fireworks display that lit up the night sky, leaving spectators mesmerized. Beyond books and events, letterpress brings fashion and culture alive through its prints. Julian Mariana's creations showcase "The Dress of Regions of Spain" from ca. 1860-70 along with allusive verses for masquerades during the same period. These vibrant designs offer glimpses into past traditions and celebrations. Even darker tales find their way onto letterpressed pages, such as the engraving depicting "The Manner Of The Barbarous Murder Of James. " This haunting image transports us to Scotland in 1679 when tragedy struck one man who held great influence over his people. Finally, we delve into literature with "The Complete Works Of Beranger" from 1836—an anonymous masterpiece filled with poetic brilliance that continues to inspire readers today.