News 06.09 / MMOP Limited Edition Print

Melbourne Museum of Printing (MMOP) is a working museum of typography and printing and houses one of the world’s largest collections of preserved printing machinery and artefacts. The MMOP is maintained by a committed band of letterpress devotees lead by its proprietor Michael Isaachsen who oversaw a transition from commercial typefoundry (the Australian Type Foundry) to non-profit museum in the 1990’s.

The current financial climate has put the Museum on the endangered list, and a committee was formed recently with a preservation agenda for the long and short term. One key initiative involved asking 20 local artists and graphic designers to design a limited edition set of prints for sale at the MMOP Open Day and beyond: we were delighted to be included on that list.

The letterpress process is slow and meticulous, and the results can be unpredictable and inconsistent. For a couple of ‘modern’ graphic designers accustomed to the quiet hum of our ruthlessly efficient computers, creating within the noisy letterpress environment was a refreshing, if not slightly daunting, proposition. The few invigorating hours Wendy and I spent conceptualising, assembling and printing our contribution were thrilling and we highly recommend a visit for anyone who professes an interest in print and typography.

The 20 designers and artists who contributed their work were:
Jon Campbell / Anna Ephraim / Emily Floyd / Greg Fullerton / Matthew Griffin / Lucas Ilhein / Susan Jacobs / Callum Morton / Rose Nolan / Alex Selenitsch / Richard Tipping / Ronnie van Hout / 3 Deep Design / Alter / Chase & Galley / Fabio Ongarato Design / Hofstede Design / John Warwicker / Studio Pip & Co. / Studio Round / The Narrows / Yanni Florence

Prints are still available for sale from the MMOP website, and represent excellent value at $200.

(DH)
 

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A reconnaissance visit prior to our designated day proved fruitful. After considerable deliberation, we resolved to assemble an abstract design from a selection of redundant logo blocks.

Eventually, following some trial and error, a shape loosely resembling a circle evolved.

We lightly inked the design by hand and made a rough impression to check the composition. This print would also act as reference should the blocks be displaced.

Helpful Nev came in off the bench to assist in the most laborious part of the process, packing and locking the design as tightly as possible into the chase.

Ready to go on the press. Clearly evident is the quantity of odd little furniture pieces required to pack our design.

The Museum often hosts school groups and these guys were fortunate to see a couple of letterpress virgins in action. I pulled rank and accepted the responsibility for the first print. (Michael Isaachsen can be seen directing operations in the background).

This first impression gave a good indication of how successful our preparation had been. Because of the age of the blocks and variations in height some packing was required to create a level surface.

Wendy in action inking the design with the aid of a rubber roller.

Each impression requires an application of ink and as noted previously, the process creates its own speed and (slow) rhythm.

The final prints waiting to dry. Available for purchase directly for the MMOP.