One of the ‘Daft Robots’ created from letterpress ornaments, by Mike Edwards

The title of ‘Daft Robots’

The 51st bundle of the  Letterpress Exchange Group (LEG) arrived recently and, as always, the package contained a wonderfully eclectic collection of beautifully executed letterpress work. With great difficulty, I have selected my favourite pieces from the August bundle and have posted them here, for your enjoyment.

Mike Edwards contributed a booklet that features a collection of ‘daft robots’ made from typographical ornaments and border pieces. Simon Smallwood’s reproduction of a breakfast ticket pays incredible attention to detail and the Caslon types were loaned by John Randle of The Whittington Press. The original ticket can be viewed  here.

Helen Ingham’s poster formed part of a series of protests against job cuts at the Sir John Cass Dep’t of Art Media and Design at London Metropolitan University. It is an adaptation of a poster that originally appeared in the Paris student revolution in 1968 (the original featured General Degaulle gagging a student, while Helen’s poster featured their head of department!).

John Cornellisse and his computer-controlled Monotype Caster have been busy casting type for a letterpress printed edition of Le Grain de Sable by August Michel Benoit Gaudichot. John is to present the completed book at the annual meeting of the  Multatuli-Society in the library of the University of Amsterdam on 7th November.

Andrew Dolinski contributed a sample sheet of Poltawski that was published, along with his article on the typeface, in Matrix 28.

For more information about LEG, or membership enquiries, contact Alan Brignull at  alan.98@virgin.net. Currently, there is a small waiting list for membership.

Reproduction charity breakfast ticket by Simon Smallwood

Woodletter and linocut protest poster by Helen Ingham

Detail of John Cornelisses’s Monotype-set edition of Le Grain de Sable

A complex arrangement of letterpress ornaments by Alan Brignull at the Hedgehog Press

A sonnet, hand-set in Garamond Italic, by Graham Moss at the Incline Press

Woodletter cover for a reprint of George Borrow’s ‘Wild Wales’ by Peter Criddle at the Ericius Press

Type specimen of Antykwa Póltawskiego by Andrew Dolinski

Woodletter protest poster by Richard Lawrence

LEG Notice printed by Alan Brignull

Ben Brundell – www.britishletterpress.co.uk

The Letterpress Exchange Group was formed around 1992 by Claire Bolton of  The Alembic Press as a forum that was exclusively letterpress, and small enough to make the task of printing not too onerous.

Membership is strictly limited to twenty-five members and operates a policy that if one does not contribute, one does not receive the bundle, to make it fair on those who do contribute. Twenty-six bundles are produced, thrice yearly, with one copy being archived at the  Department of Typography and Graphic Communication at Reading University, so as to encourage future printers, designers and students of letterpress. The current (April) bundle marks the 50th exchange of letterpress printed work.

Alan Brignull at The Hedgehog Press now coordinates the distribution and he can be contacted by email at  alan.98@virgin.net for more information or membership enquiries. Currently, there is a small waiting list for membership.

Incline Press / Graham Moss & Kathy Whalen – www.inclinepress.com

Ericius Press / Peter Criddle (left) & Alan Brignull / Hedgehog Press (right)

Justin Knopp – www.typoretum.co.uk

Palliser Press / William Taylor

Incline Press / Graham Moss & Kathy Whalen

The Happy Dragons’ Press / Julius Stafford-Baker – www.happydragonspress.co.uk

The Old Forge Press / John R. Smith

Hedgehog Press / Alan Brignull

The Old Forge Press / John R. Smith

The Happy Dragons’ Press / Julius Stafford-Baker – www.happydragonspress.co.uk

The Old Forge Press / John R. Smith

Hedgehog Press / Alan Brignull (left) & Ericius Press / Peter Criddle (right)

The Happy Dragons’ Press / Julius Stafford Baker – www.happydragonspress.co.uk

Ericius Press / Peter Criddle

Palliser Press / William Taylor