3 October 2019 - Road tripping over signage

Getting home from the Printers' Fair involved a semi-unexpected road trip. I flew out to Cedar Rapids, then drove south to Mount Pleasant. But after indulging in some great purchases at the Fair, with no way to get them on the plane. . . I ended up driving home. It is seventeen hours from Mount Pleasant to Salt Lake. Oh, boy.  But the upside involved birding stops, the chance to drive back roads, and driving through small towns to indulge one of my other interests--neon and other signage. 

Many of you know I love old neon signs, which are getting harder to find. I also love old motel signs, bowling alley signs, and theater signs which are more prevalent in small towns. My newest sign obsession are vintage signs made by Signtronix. There are still quite a few of those around, although many are being replaced by LED signage. (Boo hiss) 

Signtronix made signs are iconic. You've probably seen many of them. They are small, slightly rectangular, usually have three words and an illustration--everything you need to know in one quick look. The words and illustration are raised from the surface. The older ones feature more interesting illustrations than newer ones. But it is still fun to spot them. 

Here are some of my favorite motel signs from the trip followed by some of the Signtronix. 

This was one of my favorites from the trip!  So 50s! And drive-in liquor. That would never happen in the dry state of Utah. 

Of all the Signtronix  I saw, this Burger Station sign was my absolute favorite. It is special for me because it has the three words, a great graphic and best of all, the type face used is called Broadway. Pretty sly. And yes, it is on a street named Broadway in Rock Springs. 

Then there are the signs painted on buildings. . .

Amazing how much fun you can have driving through little towns! 

2 October 2019 - Midwest and Great Norther Printers' Fair

I just attended the Midwest and Great Northern Printers'  Fair. It has been on my radar for some time, and I finally made it to this event.  All I can say is FABULOUS!  

The Fair is held at the Midwest Old Settlers & Threshers Association. The Association hosts an annual Threshers Reunion for 5 days every September that ends on Labor Day. I have got to get back to see this! The Reunion started in 1950 with 15 steam engines and 8 separators and an estimated 10,000 people attending.  Visitors now number up to 40,000. The event has grown way past the threshing, and has steam locomotives, tractor shows and so much more. The biggest draw in my opinion is that during the reunion every piece of equipment works. They have over 1,000 volunteers firing up the steam engines and running equipment. Wow!  I am an extreme fan of old carousels and was thrilled to find that they even have one run by steam.  Complete with hand carved horses. Really want to see this!  The North Village (blacksmith shop, wheelwright, post office, bank, etc.) is only open during the Threshers Reunion. 

The Heritage Museum is housed in two buildings: each 100 x 400 feet long. Train tracks run down the middle of these buildings so they can store equipment in them. The Printers' Hall is a small part of one of these massive buildings.  All the presses and equipment work. Several people showed up, not to take workshops, but just so they could use the presses.  

Here's a quick tour of the Hall.  This first press is a Miehle built in 1907. It was used at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving in Wash. DC to print bonds until 1961 when it was sold to a newspaper in Yellow Springs, Ohio where it was used for another 30 years. In 2010 the last owner donated it to Printers' Hall where it was restored to working order.  It is huge! It can print a sheet of paper up to 55" wide and 38" long. Oh, and it weighs 30,000 pounds. Two people stand on platforms on either side of the press. It is currently set up to print four newspaper pages at the same time. 

Looking into the front end of the Miehle:

Checking the output on the backside. 

Here is an old lining machine.

And a look down a row of presses. 

This woman, whose name I cannot for the life of me remember, Lynne? took the poster class. She is using a Reliance iron handpress for printing. So many options!

As of today, it is already on my calendar for next year. This event was a lot of fun, with many people to hit up for any kind of information you might want.  You get hands-on experience plus expert advice from so many other attendees. Can't beat that!

Mel, from Calico Press was demonstrating an innovative overprinting technique. She had a pastry roller covered with ink roller material and used it to overprint inked wood type. Here is the process and final result. 

There was a class on reductive linocuts and another on making wood type. So much to do and learn. Even more of a draw for me was meeting in person so many people that I have talked with via phone or email. The Saturday swap meet and sale was also a big part of it, and I admit, I came home with some wonderful goodies. I found some great cuts (lots of birds and chickens) that will show up in future printing projects as well as some lovely borders.