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Type Talk
The apparent demise of The Printer, the really excellent paper of Mike Phillips which appeared fairly regularly in 1975 and sporadically in 1976 and early 1977, leaves the hobby printer with no comparable periodical of articles, ads, and letterpress chatter.
The professional trade publications are largely devoted to the offsetters. Fortunately, however, there are several publications which have much of interest for the weekend type slinger, even though they don’t approach The Printer in size or overall appeal.
Type & Press is published quarterly by Bert Williams, who can be reached at Hayward, California 94545. There are normally only four pages, and it’s printed on newsprint, but it’s neatly done, with a lot of carefully written copy packed into the three columns on each 7 x 10 page. The paper is now in its fourth year, and it looks as if publisher Williams is serious about continuing it. The interested hobbyist will feel it’s well worth the subscription price of $1.25 a year, especially since subscribers may place classified ads in the paper at no charge.
As most every hobby printer knows, the Kelsey Company for many years has sent its Printer’s Helper on a gratis basis to its customers. A single order for $20 or more keeps it coming for a year; a $10 order was sufficient back in the sixties. As one would expect, the paper is largely promotional in nature, with a lot of emphasis on the various items sold by Kelsey – latest prices, new items, etc. A couple of the four 8 x 11 pages present information and tips for the small printer, with emphasis on printing for profit. Recent articles have concerned overlay, business cards, and best ink for enameled stock. A popular feature is “With Our Readers,” which sets out comments and ideas of the Kelsey customers. The paper seems to be handset, and is neatly printed, with a number of illustrations. Normally appearing every two or three months, it recently reached its 450th issue!
(I wonder what sort of press Kelsey uses for its Printer’s Helper, price lists, and other such needs – some of which require large forms and thousands of copies.)
Printcraft – an eight-page 5½ x 8½ publication – is now nearing its 100th issue, so it’s been around for awhile, too. L. K. Slama is the publisher; two bucks sent to him at Racine, Wisconsin 53402 will keep it coming for a year. It seems to be about a quarterly, and carries quite a few ads concerning items wanted and for sale – books, type, presses, etc. The ads are inexpensive – only a nickel a word.
The paper is neatly done and (I think) worth the price, but could use a few more headings to break up solid pages of text. Incidentally, an interesting little book is available from Slama for $6.50, postpaid: an updated edition of Printing for Pleasure, by John Ryder. The emphasis of the book is on British equipment, but there is nevertheless much of interest for the U.S. amateur.
The printer members of the AAPA also find much of interest in the monthly bundles – in the American Amateur Journalist and in the papers of individual members. Of special value is the opportunity to exchange information and advice with other members by correspondence, and face to face at local meetings and the annual conventions.
Form 1040 – Simplified
Taxpayers who complain that their income tax forms should be written in English ought to take a stab at completing the Papua New Guinea form. Half the form is written in pidgin English (phonetic base).
For example, the item requesting the taxpayer’s surname reads: “Raitem nem bilong papa bilong you.” That one may not be too difficult, but see if you can determine what information should be given in response to the following five inquiries. (A hint: Try reading them aloud.)
(1) Wanem kain wok bilong yu?
(2) Wanem kain bisnis bilong bos bilong yu?
(3) Sapos yu bin senism nem bilong yu, raitem dispela nem bilong yu bipo.
(4) Wokautim takis bilong yu.
(5) Raitim nem bilong yu hia.
The answers: (1) occupation, (2) employer’s industry, (3) if name changed, state former name, (4) calculate your tax, and (5) usual signature.
A perfect score suggests that you can successfully complete most of the current IRS forms, and that you won’t require the help of Charlie Bush or one of his fellow pros. (How about it, Charlie – what was your score?)
Hints for the New Publisher
1. Number your issues in sequence (No. 1, 2, etc.) and not by volumes (Vol. 1, No. 1, etc.) Despite the best of intentions, your annual volumes will have varying numbers of issues, and the collector will never know if he has all your issues unless they’re numbered in sequence.
2. Always include your name and address.
3. Introduce yourself. Tell us a bit about your background, your family, your printshop. Don’t be bashful!
4. Include a colophon, identifying the type used, press, and possibly the paper stock.
The Echo is the hobby publication of Les Boyer, Houston, Texas 77079. Printed two pages at a time on a old 8 x 12 Damon and Peets press, motorized. Hand set in Kennerley and Mistral types, mostly leaded two points. Paper? Not yet determined.