Palatine German Journey Letterpress Print

Final print for the Inky Rebels Weekly Print Challenge

The Inky Rebels Weekly Print Challenge continues through this period of adjustment to the effects of COVID-19. This past week, host The Garage Press notified me that the topic would be “The Journey.” Two of my favorite endeavors merged in my mind almost immediately.

I have read a fair amount about the Palatine Germans, who journeyed from their homeland in the Middle Rhine region of the Holy Roman Empire in order to escape the war with the French that had descended upon them. They traveled first to England, in 1709, but after less than a year, British authorities sent most of them in ships to the American Colonies in 1710. My wife is descended from some of these Palatines, who settled eventually in what is now Herkimer County, New York and rather than escaping war, played important roles as soldiers in the American Revolution.

New York Harbor at the time the Palatines’ journey brought them to the American Colonies

Since this is a blog about letterpress printing, it makes sense that the second thing that came to mind was related to that passion. I have had a beautiful copper die of an old sailing ship for several years. I purchased it with a specific use in mind, but have not yet printed that piece. I knew immediately that this image would be the centerpiece of my Inky Rebels submission, which would be entitled, “The Palatine Journey.”

Copper die of a sailing ship

Since acquiring a number of antique metal types from two old family print shops near our home in Fayetteville, North Carolina, I have been able to do a lot more typographically. To evoke the 18th Century, I chose ATF Wedding Text in 36, 24 and 10 point sizes from Washington, North Carolina’s Ingalls Printing and 18 point Pabst Oldstyle, which came from the Quin Press in Charleston, South Carolina. Several old border sorts framed the image of the ship.

Finished print and forms for the gold and black inks from Southern Ink Company.

I wanted the print to have the look and feel of an antique leather bound book cover with gold gilt ornamentation, so I used Neenah Classic Linen 120# Charcoal Cover stock from @cutcardstock. It took the @southerninkco inks really well. For the Metallic Gold, I double-rolled each impression on my circa 1863 Gordon Jobber, let the prints dry, then hit them with a second hit of gold.

This print is complete, but the journey of the beautiful sailing ship and types will continue. Their next destination is, as of yet, undetermined but will involve ink, paper and passion.