Recently, I completed a fellowship at the Newberry Library in support of research for the second edition of my book Vandercook Presses: Maintenance, History and Resources (2011). While there, I spent most of my time perusing various trade journals including The Inland Printer, Photo-engravers Bulletin, Graphic Arts Monthly and British Printer, among others, spanning 1909–1976. As I sort out my findings, I will share a few highlights here and on the Time Line. In some instances, I came away with more questions. For example, in the July 1915 issue of The Inland Printer, I found this ¼ page display ad announcing Vandercook’s new house organ Proof. I was excited to learn of this publication. Unfortunately, a copy was not found in the Newberry catalog or archives and is not recorded in WorldCat. Neither was it advertised in subsequent issues of The Inland Printer. (I have yet to see issues of Photo-engravers Bulletin from 1915—the only other relevant journal at that time.) So, did R.O. publish more than one issue? Have any survived?
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A proof press resource
That’s right. As time passes we see several popular faces in Vandercook ads: Cheltenham, Goudy Old Style, Stymie, Coronet, Swing Bold and Spartan. I’ve also seen what might be a hand drawn script, too. Early on ads were certainly produced by the journals, but I haven’t come across any info on who produced Vandercook’s display ads and logos.
Yay, Caslon!