This is a Printing Office

THIS IS A PRINTING OFFICE

CROSSROADS OF CIVILIZATION

REFUGE OF ALL THE ARTS

AGAINST THE RAVAGES OF TIME

ARMORY OF FEARLESS TRUTH

AGAINST WHISPERING RUMOUR

INCESSANT TRUMPET OF TRADE

FROM THIS PLACE WORDS MAY FLY ABROAD

NOT TO PERISH ON WAVES OF SOUND

NOT TO VARY WITH THE WRITER’S HAND

BUT FIXED IN TIME HAVING BEEN VERIFIED IN PROOF

FRIEND YOU STAND ON SACRED GROUND

THIS IS A PRINTING OFFICE

This fabulous text by Beatrice Warde was originally printed in 1932 to show Eric Gill’s new Perpetua typeface for Monotype. Printing establishments all over the world hung the large print in full view and relished the weight of its intention. A foxed and battered original copy hangs behind my desk, its presence is constant and meaningful. I’ve always felt it encourages a sense of time honoured moral responsibility to those lucky enough to have a means of printing at their disposal. 

Designed by Jamie Murphy. Printed by Ellen Martin-Friel on a Fag Swiss Proof 40 at Distillers Press, NCAD. Typeset in the six line (72pt / 1") Carbon Mono woodletter designed by Bobby Tannam, cut in end grain beech in a 28A scheme by Scott Cameron. The grey GF Smith papers darken as the reader descends into the piece before returning to the original hue. Printed 2023, finished and bound in 2024.