WELCOME!
We were founded in Seattle in 1988; but have been located in beautiful Anacortes on Fidalgo Island in Washington State since 1999.
An imagined Johannes Gutenberg and his shopmates inspect a page from their just-printed Bible. No one REALLY knows what transpired!
It is with gratitude that we WELCOME YOU to our site!
Let us ALL go forth and seize this opportunity to recognize that using the mind in new and different ways such as learning something new or exploring an interesting Website can ease oneself, and relax not only the mind; but the body, as well. Right now, we ALL need to R-E-L-A-X.
Thank you for visiting.
J & K
And . . . we would like to say: “Thank You” to Zach for technical assistance!
Our motivations come from what we call: “The River”. A Letterpress River (of lead?) but a River nonetheless! One gets pulled along in its powerful current. You know what I mean? BTW, we are also the THIRD owners/operators of a working letterpress shop that was founded in Seattle in 1906 and continues operation here in Anacortes, Washington. My own story began in 1964, as the Junior High School I attended offered Print Shop. COOL! I never looked back. That led to Industrial Arts in High School and ended with me graduating as a Journeyman at the tender age of 17. Into the workforce I went! I also attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College as a member of the LAST and FINAL Linotype Operators Class. We were informed that The Trade was shifting technology . . . Composition was now being set PHOTOGRAPHICALLY and “Hot Metal” Composition - indeed Letterpress itself would become a thing of the past! HUH? About half the class switched over to photo typesetting and the rest of us stayed put. Letterpress printing was a fresh Trade to me. I was at the beginning of an era; not the end of one! I knew this was ALL worth saving, so while enjoying a glorious, life-long career in printing, I met Kay in Seattle in 1988 and we formed the Living Museum of Letterpress Printing to make sure that an effort was made to preserve, utilize, and educate. Join Us!
Would you like to become a Member? It’s a great way to show your support and entitles you to some:
Members Only Benefits!
For more information
CONTACT US:
letterpressmuseum
@gmail.com
You now begin your Journey to
THE RIVER.
Come on in . . . The Water is FINE!
Current Exhibit!
Hawaiian Literacy: 200 Years!
EXHIBIT NOW OPEN BY APPOINTMENT!
January 7, 2022 marked the Bicentennial of the first printing in Hawai’i. Look what we were up to in honor of this historic day…
This Poster acted as the basis for our Souvenir Printing on January 7, 2022 commemorating The Bicentennial. I drew and lettered the “upper” portion of the Poster; then had it digitally produced. I then added the circa 1822, 17-character Hawaiian Alphabet at the bottom using vintage types and printed it on The Carlton Press.
You can watch the process in the Bicentennial Commemoration video below.
Please note:
The colorful, upper portion of the poster was pre-printed…
ONLY the alphabet at the bottom of the Poster was printed on The Carlton Press!
January 7, 2022 video showing the Bicentennial Ceremony . . . Very Low key!
Events Then:
An archive of the many fabulous events we have been fortunate enough to have participated in or hosted. Had we ONLY known you then . . . Let’s get you started !
The Collection
We are fortunate to have a Golding Official in our collection. Very rare!
Below is a tray of Japanese Foundry Type. After 32 years of stewardship, we just returned a collection to The North American Post, a newspaper that has been serving the Japanese/American Community in Seattle since 1902. This trove included more than 130 trays! Also, their original 10”x 15” Chandler & Price Treadle Open Press (1902) and A WHOLE LOT MORE. They plan to use the items at the heart of a Cultural Center in Seattle. They are still publishing! Stay tuned!
The Hawai’i (Carlton) Press
This is the press that Patrick Vala-Haynes built to commemorate the Bicentennial of the first printing in Hawai’i. Find out how you can be a part of: “The Year of Hawaiian Literacy Project.”
Contact us:
letterpressmuseum
@gmail.com
Browse Our Library
This is the book (1972) containing the plans drawn from Dr. Franklin’s Press in The Smithsonian. Patrick added a few of his own flourishes!
Gift Shop Goodies
We offer some unusual items in our gift shop. Here are two:
Based on that famous fish (Humuhumunukunukuāpua’a), this poster also doubles as a “Language Assistant” when practicing your Hawaiian!
PLEASE NOTE: “Haole” translates as “Non-Hawaiian/Foreign” and is not intended as a derrogatory term. Mahalo.
Pictured Above: Hale Pili Pa’i. Grass Printing House. This little item tells the story of how literacy came to The Islands when the printing press arrived. Over 70 individual drawings!
THE ASK . . .
We are a Washington State Non-Profit Organization which depends upon folks like you for financial support. Because of your generosity, we have offered FREE ADMISSION since we opened our doors back in 1988. Please help us continue our efforts by making a donation in any amount you wish.
Thank You!
DONATE HOW YOU CAN
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DONATE HOW YOU CAN 〰️
DONATE!
Get Involved!
Want to Learn More about The Museum?
CONTACT US . . .
letterpressmuseum
@gmail.com
We have an interesting variety of Paper Ephemera dating back to the 16th Century! We are currently working on making much of it available for perusal online.
STAND BY . . .
We REALLY appreciate you sticking with us! The history of Letterpress Printing and how printing in general has changed The World and Society is a BIG story; one we have enjoyed sharing since 1988. MAHALO NUI LOA (Thanks Great and Long) for your support; however it takes form.
Aloha! J & K