The Art of Letterpress
I have been doing a 'printing trade card' (for want of a better description) for some years; 2005 being my nineteenth consecutive effort. It is targeted at former and current friends and colleagues in industry, print education, industrial archaeology, British Printing Society, IP3 and its precursor institutes, the 25-strong Letterpress Exchange Group as well as folk in various literary societies with whom I have had pleasurable association.
By adapting a suitable drawing or engraving, or persuading artistic friends to create a bespoke item, I have managed to redefine events and incidents in the history of printing from earliest times, all related within a Christmas theme. I write either a pun caption or, as on this occasion, a poem. I did send a copy to the current editor of 'The Times' and also to -Miss Anne Robinson c/o BBC2 I hope she received it.
Applegath's Press
The project usually commences around June or July. When asked why I printed
Christmas cards at that time of year, my usual reply is "Because the
ink works and dries better in warmer weather."