Printmaking and Bookmaking

Contributors:

Abstract:

In Colonial America, European settlers had to adjust to their new surroundings. These settlers were not familiar with the terrain, climate or even the mysterious people who roamed the land. But even with these drawbacks, America was a place of opportunity and wealth. Colonists would come to the New World seeking the kinds of freedoms and opportunities they lacked in England. An important symbol of liberty was the printing press. It enabled colonists to express themselves freely. This research paper explores how printing technology came to America and the role of the printer and binder in the American Colonies.

The Importance:

-Made for all social class

-Allowed people to express themselves

-Joined people together

-Helped gain thoughts of victory

-Enforced people communicate with each other

Gazette

-Local town newspaper

-Articles from colonists, news, and stories

-Form of entertainment

Caslon

-Invented in 1722

-Everything in 18th century was in Caslon

Tools Used to Compose Type

-Composing stick, lead, galley, chase

Of all the colonial craftsmen, the printer was the nearest to the spirit of liberty. His work made as much of a difference in the battle for independence as did those who fought in the bloody battles between the Colonists and their enemies. The words the printer printed on paper, whether his own or those of someone else, joined people together with the thoughts of freedom and respect. Printed words made a huge impact, encouraging people to fight, even when victory seemed dim. Working in the printer and binder shop enabled the colonists to express what they thought on paper. Eventually this methodology would lead to the development of our country and the principles of democracy. Three hundred years later, the technology behind the printing press and the methods of binding have become computerized, much of this technology is now found in your room. Look around and see what different techniques are now used. Each of these methods was based on the simple beginning of the American tradesmen – the binder and the printer.

Interviews:

Question to Colonial Williamsburg Printer: "Can you tell me one of the most important piece or page a printer would print in his career?"

Response from printer: "Well... the gazette was a very important aspect of printing. It was a four to six page newspaper, ranging from two-three columns, telling stories and observations from colonists and even the talk of the community. There was a gazette in every town which held a printer."

Images and Resources:

Below are sites leading to, the early American printing press, metal type and finally the Caslon font - made by William Caslon 1722.

http://www.lib.umd.edu/RARE/IMG/Mdprinting/americanpress.gif

http://www.johnjarroldprintingmuseum.org.uk/images/setting.jpg

http://www.fontscape.com/pictures/adobe/AdobeCaslon.gif

Bibliography:

Colonial craftsmen, the printer. Personal interview. 25 October 2007.

Colonial craftsmen, the binder. Personal interview. 25 October 2007.

Everett Fisher, Leonard. Colonial Craftsmen – The Printers. Tarrytown NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1965.

Hlasta, C. Stanley. Printing Types. New York, NY: The Sarabande Press, 1990.

Kalman, Bobbie. Historic Communities, Tools and Gadgets. NY, Canada, UK: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2002.

Steedman, Scot. World Wise – Writing and Printing. Danbury, CT: Grolier Publishing, 1997.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, “Stephen Daye” online Available. http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0814842.html

Copyright 2007 Columbia University Press

Unknown. “Bookmaking” online 10.14.07 http://oldandsold.com/articles04/craftsman12.shtml originally published 1940.

Unknown. “Freeman’s Oath” online 10.14.07

http://www.babcock-acres.com (Miscellaneous/Documents/Freeman’s Oath)

Unknown. “William Caslon” online 10.11.07 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Caslon last updated October 7, 2007.

Walden Font Company. “On Printing in America” online 10.11.07 http://waldenfont.com/content.asap?contentpage1D7, 1994.