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SUBSCRIBERS to the Audubon magazine received an unexpected bonus with the March ‘87 issue.
To mark the golden anniversary, the magazine produced a facsimile of Volume I, No. 1 issued in February 1887. Printed at Field & Stream Press in New York City, the maiden edition carried a fine introduction to John James Audubon and outlined the purpose of this fine new publication.
The brief advertising section included the small ageless Kelsey Co. ad that put hand presses into so many young hands:
PRINT YOUR OWN CARDS. PRESSES $3.00
Type Setting Easy. Printed Directions.
Gagetown offers a quiet pace
EVER SINCE we heard there was a town named Gagetown up in New Brunswick province, we’ve been curious to visit. This summer’s vacation trip back to Prince Edward Island made it possible.
With Gagetown only 35 miles down-river from the bustling provincial capital city of Fredericton, didn’t it seem imperative that Frederick Gage visit?
We know of no lineal connection, but….
When the Revolutionary War threatened, some colonists wished to remain loyal to the monarch. In 1765, a group of loyalists from Massachusetts sailed to the Gagetown settlement. Two years later the township was granted to Gen. Thomas Gage.
(Gen. Gage was the last Royal Governor of Massachusetts. He was an active officer during the French & Indian War, and served with George Washington in Braddock’s campaign.)
Nestled on a quiet, broad stretch of the big St. John River, Gagetown is off the main path. Yet, the only inn was full for the week.
One general store and a few crafts shops near the boat landing comprise the town’s small center. When we visited, the riverfront was well-filled with dozens of pleasure craft at anchor.
A native we chatted with on the landing told us everyone in town had a boat.
He stoutly assured us he “wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world.”
Talks with the Editor
NO. 33, garbed in sunshine yellow cover, ranks as delightful as the first 32. The 1987 edition of It’s a Small World assembled by Bill Haywood in Ohio offers pages from 46 private presses.
Each Spring, this annual volume provides new pleasure. We are repeatedly amazed at the range of layout designs among participating printers.
The artistic use of ornaments, cuts and colors not only produce examples of tasteful printing, but the wide artistry in our hobby.
Each of the 46 offerings is a new chapter and the contrast is exciting.
James Weygand’s clever bookshelf heading atop his page will intrigue you for a spell as will David Norton’s showing of “Nameless Faces” in rare old type.
And that’s only two of the well-read pages.
The Gage Pin is a hobby journal published at Auburn, Maine, by Fred Gage. Hand set body type is Walbaum 10 on 12. We use Van Son inks and an 8×12 C&P hand fed press.