A type specimen, in printing terms, is historically a book or broadside distributed to printers to promote the purchase of type by printers. Since 1999, Starshaped Press, a letterpress studio operated by former Weinberg Fellow Jennifer Farrell, has pursued both commercial and artistic projects, with the goal of furthering the exploration of design through traditional typography. While at the Newberry, Jennifer specifically looked at specimens from the late 1880’s as well as modern sources documenting early 20th century type design with the intent to develop a portfolio of broadside specimens for the vast collection of metal type in the studio. Some of these sources will be on view alongside the completed prints at this presentation.
Event—Public Programming
Type Specimen As Memoir: Small Studio, Broad-Shouldered City
