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Event—Adult Education

Decorated Characters: Exploring Nineteenth Century Typographic Ornaments

Jul 28, 2021

The late nineteenth century witnessed an explosion in typographic styles alongside the growth of consumer products and the need to advertise them. Job printers explored creative ways to decorate their existing type through the use of “word ornaments” and other unique tools of letterpress printing.

Newberry Adult Education Seminars will meet virtually via Zoom. For more information about the Newberry’s virtual seminars, including a Zoom tutorial, please see our Virtual Seminars FAQ page. If you have questions about online learning, please reach out to seminars@newberry.org.

Seminar Description

The late nineteenth century witnessed an explosion in typographic styles alongside the growth of consumer products and the need to advertise them. Job printers explored creative ways to decorate their existing type through the use of “word ornaments” and other unique tools of letterpress printing. This virtual seminar will be hosted by Starshaped Press, the home of a large collection of these items documented and labeled with the help of the Newberry’s collections of type specimen books. A letterpress specimen print will be created as part of the presentation and participants will receive a copy of the resulting print.

One session. Registration – $40

Since 1999, Jennifer Farrell has operated Starshaped Press, with a focus on designing and letterpress printing custom commissions and limited edition prints and books. Studio work is focused on preserving the craft by printing with antique metal and wood type.

Materials List

Required:

  • There are no required materials for this seminar.

First Reading:

  • There is no required reading for this seminar.

Registration Information

Registration opens at 9 am (CST) on Wednesday, May 19th. Newberry Associates members at the Literati level and above will have access to early registration beginning May 12th at 10am. Learn more about membership benefits and becoming a Newberry Associate.

Please note: For more information about registration, including a guide to online registration, see our Registration Information page. Questions? Please contact seminars program staff via email at seminars@newberry.org.

We offer a 10% discount to members, seniors, and students.

This seminar is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about registering for a seminar, program policies, or teaching a seminar.