Kickstart the Typographic Workshop

This is a recently launched Kickstarter project which I think you might like to support...

Theo Hersey in the workshop. Photo by Owen Tozer.

Theo Hersey is a young designer who graduated from the LCC. Whilst at university and during his 'gap year' he has been assisting Alan Kitching at The Typography Workshop in Kennington. Even though he now has a full time job as a graphic designer, he continues to assist and collaborate with Alan.

Alan Kitching & Theo in the Workshop. Photo by Tom Gifford.

Alan Kitching floated the idea of Theo purchasing the workshop from him and he needs your help.

There is a vast collection of fonts held at the workshop, from Caslon Old Face to Futura and everything in between in both metal & wood type. The collection is a brilliant array demonstrating the rich history of type design from both British and overseas type foundries, many having been purchased from the type foundries in their closing years. Theo is now in the extremely fortunate position to be able to take over the space and continue the legacy of The Typography Workshop and develop letterpress in his own style into the future.

One of the 250+ cases of wood & metal type. Photo by Theo Hersey.

Fenner Paper has been in contact with Alan Kitching and the Typography Workshop for over 30 years, I first met Alan back in the Clerkenwell workshops back in the early 90's and he designed the Fenner Paper diary cover in 2010 and uses our diary in the workshop to this day. We are very happy to continue this collaboration and support Theo in his endeavour.

Theo is being supported by friend and collaborator Anthony Burrill and they have designed three exclusive prints for this Kickstarter campaign.

Theo Hersey & Anthony Burrill. Photo by Owen Tozer.

So, how do you support Theo? ...it's easy! have a look at the Kickstarter page HERE, where you can choose to either simply donate or purchase some of the excellent rewards. Do it NOW and ensure the continuation of The Typography Workshop and the craft of letterpress printing in its South London home whilst also helping a talented youngster who will take it forward into the future.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theohersey/letterpress-heritage-the-typography-workshop

Posted by Justin Hobson 29.05.2023

 

Alan Kitching's A-Z of Letterpress

Yesterday evening I was fortunate to be invited to the book launch of Alan Kitching's A-Z of Letterpress. This new book showcases Alan's extensive wood-letter fount collection that he has collected over the decades and which also celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Typography Workshop.

The book is a collaboration between Kitching and Angus Hyland and the book launch was held at Pentagram. Having devised a page layout together, Alan then set the entire book, printing an original in letterpress at The Typography Workshop, which was then used as artwork to produce the book (which was litho printed in China).

After an introduction by Laurence King, the publisher of the book, Alan gave a brief insight into the project which remarkably took less than a year to complete.

Alan Kitching, Angus Hyland and Laurence King

The hardback book boasts 1352 pieces of type and has 272 pages. Size is 196x152 mm

Images courtesy of Pentagram

You can read more about the book here:
http://new.pentagram.com/2015/04/new-work-alan-kitchings-a-z-of-letterpress/

Thank you to Pentagram and Alan Kitching for inviting me. It was a lovely evening with the usual friendly nature and good hospitality found at Pentagram.

Posted by Justin Hobson 23.04.2015