Lead Letters rule

Last week I went to visit a typography and I literally freaked out over e a real Heidelberger Letterpress, which was already very old. The owners were very happy about my joy and sadly admitted that they use the press very rarely, that they even start to throw away lead letters and letter cases. I nearly fainted. How was this possible??



I talked them down to give everything they would ever throw away to me and I left the place as a happy owner of two sets of letters and a real, 70year-old wooden letter case (still have to clean it).
I really admire letterpress art, it is so special.



I know that there is a huge Internet community that shares my love for this art, but it really seems that it is an art doomed to die, or, for the better, will be only for the few. In fact, the typographer I talked to said, that “in these days nobody wants a letterpress work anymore”; so it was a happy coincidence to see the Briar Press: “a community of letterpress printers, book artists, and press enthusiasts. The site is dedicated to the preservation of letterpress-era equipment and the art of fine printing.”



In the Cut&Caps section they offer loads of ornaments free for download – and they are all vectorized! (*oh thank you*)



I remember when I first used something in german is called “typometer” – I really searched for an English translation, I am sorry I couldn’t find it. Anyway, a very technical thing, close to a ruler that you need for typographic work. Normally these things are hard to find and very expensive.. but now you can download one and print it on film. If you are a graphic and read this, here you go.

“Hey, I am not into Typography, you are talking too much about letters!” Am I? Ok, let’s switch to something that I like equally: photography.
Recently I noticed these two websites, that are really photofun:
“DeletedImages brings unsharp, moved, blurry and unfocused pictures back to life.” Fun to see the rejected photos of others, I particularly like this one.



Next is Flickrvision: “Flickrvision uses Google Maps to show Flickr photos as they’re uploaded. You can see what people all over Earth are taking pictures of right now! Amazing.” I love it! Take your five minutes off and get a real virtual trip around the globe. Awesome!

Here you go, have a nice Friday and a better weekend, Belle