A special type of study day at printing museum

Norwich Printing Museum is hosting a study day on the making of printers’ type, at their home at Blickling Hall on September 16.

The fundraising event is for the type-connoisseur, the printing historian, and anyone interested in the long history of type. It takes in ancient China, Japan and Korea, through early Mainz printing and the spread of the technology around the world, to the introduction of photosetting and the contemporary world of digital type.

No previous knowledge of type history is required, as the presentations will begin from first principles. New theories about early type production will be discussed by Paul W. Nash and Jack Norfolk, while Jeremy Tankard, an independent type-designer, will describe his working methods and philosophy in the creation of new fonts.

DEMONSTRATION: Paul W. Nash is shown casting type.

Practical typecasting sessions and other demonstrations will be held using the resources of the Museum, and examples of physical types, and the products of the early presses, will be available for study.

Dr Nash promises to manufacture a piece of type, from scratch, during the day, using the theoretical technique he has developed to replicate the first types cast in Mainz around 1450.

The cost is £80 per person (concessions are available for students in full-time education). For booking and further details visit the website at norwichprintingmuseum.co.uk or email npmtrustees@gmail.com