By CHUCK STARESINIC
It’s safe to say that the University community includes more than a few history buffs, lovers of the printed word and steadfast believers in the power of the press. On Sept. 18, all visitors to the Text and conText Lab, located in 310 Hillman Library, will have the opportunity to experiment with letterpress printing on the lab’s working 19th-century presses during a drop-in open house running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The date (9/18) is a playful nod to “type high,” which refers to the 0.918-inch standard height to which all metal and wood type is cast, allowing type from different foundries, eras and presses to work interchangeably. It’s that bit of printing-history trivia that gives Type High Day its name and its Sept. 18 date.
Visitors may print a Pitt-themed keepsake on one of the Lab’s antique letterpresses, take on a typesetting challenge that ranks participants from “printer’s devil” to “journeyman,” vote for their favorite typeface, and potentially win a gift card. No experience, registration or special background is required. Faculty, staff, students and visitors can drop in as their schedule allows.
In addition to being a fun way to produce a little art and learn history, the event serves as an informal introduction to a valuable teaching space available to the Pitt community. The Text and conText Lab’s letterpresses and related equipment are available for faculty to incorporate into their courses, offering a tactile, hands-on complement to coursework in typography, book and text arts, printmaking, creative writing and other disciplines.
“Type High Day is really a low-stakes, informal, and fun way for faculty and staff to experience the space and equipment firsthand,” said Erik Schuckers, interim co-director and manager of communications and programming at Pitt’s Center for Creativity.
“A number of instructors have been incorporating the lab into their courses, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Schuckers added.
Chuck Staresinic is interim editor of the University Times. Reach him at chuck.s@pitt.edu.
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