Letterpress Printers Fair

Letterpress Printer's Fair

I've been gumbling under my breath {and out loud} all summer about our lack of one - you know, typical Portland: grey, cloudy mornings, temperatures barely breaking the lower 70s....grumble. {Can you tell I'm a desert girl? sigh}

weights on the papergoods

Well, my wish for a few scorching days came true just in time for the Printers Fair this year. I think we hit the upper 90s, but it was the wind that was truly amazing. We gathered all of the heavy objects that we could find to weigh down the paper goods that would out of nowhere go flying off our tables. By the end of the day everyone, and everything was coated in a fine layer of grit from the traintrack nearby and the industrial yards surrounding us.

But, I don't know why - something about seeing old friends and meeting certain letterpress folks for the first time face to face, I had a smile on my face at the end of the day. An exhausted, weary, 'I'm hot and dusty' smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Ruth and Barb manning the OCAC table

I didn't sell most of the heavy stuff I had brought - I still have C&P parts and some 5 lb. cans of ink, in case anyone is interested. But my loaded up car at the end of the day was still considerably lighter than when I came in. And the beers with friends at the end of the day capped another memorable Letterpress Printers Fair.

Special thanks should be mentioned for EM Space, who put on a really well organized event! Three cheers!!

third annual letterpress printers fair

For the third year in a row I'll be participating in this really excellent fair. This year it is being hosted by Em Space and should be bigger and better than ever. If you love letterpress, don't miss it! And come early. The past two years have seen lines out the door before the opening. People want to get in on the good deals!
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Join us for this years’ 3rd annual Portland Letterpress Printers Fair! All are welcome for this fun outdoor event celebrating letterpress, printers and appreciators. Read below for more info about the event.

Saturday, August 14th, 2010
11am-5pm
323 SE Division Place
Portland Oregon, 97202
Admission: 11am-2pm – $2 and from 2-5pm – Free

Demos, Print Shops, Suppliers, Resources
Type, Equipment, Cards, Broadsides, Ephemera
Overstocks, Seconds, Deals, Rarities and More!

Come one, come all.

And please check out my friends' over at Em Space for the full press release, plus information about a movie screening going on the night before:

SCREENING OF “FAREWELL: ETAOIN SHRDLU”
CC Stern Type Foundry will be screening “Farewell: Etaoin Shrdlu,” a documentary about the last issue of the New York Times to be composed in the hot metal printing process. Discussion to follow. All are welcome.

Friday, August 13th, 2010
7:30-9:00pm
Em Space Book Arts Center
407 SE Ivon Street
Portland, OR 97202
Suggested Donation: $5