The "Pioneer machine" at the C.C. Stern Type Foundry. (Named after the job shop where this Linotype Model 31 originated) It's a workhorse, and makes some mighty fine slugs. You can tell that it is a workhorse by all of that paper attached to it. Oh, also there's a reminder that the thermometer is still in the pot, so don't go pulling the clutch just yet.
Coaxing machines out of hibernation at the C.C. Stern Type Foundry
Now that they are well acclimated to the new space, we're coaxing the machines back to life. We're quite pleased with the VFDs (used for 3 phase conversion). So far so good. We chose the WEG-CFW300 VFD, which seems to be a no-frills unit with a relatively user friendly display.
C.C. Stern Type Foundry 2023 Volunteer Picnic
Thanks to volunteers, thanks to you, thanks to we, thanks to all of us. The "us" being the immediate and wider printing and type casting community, wordsmiths and bibliophiles. We are grateful for you and your everyday heroic actions that go towards supporting our community. Your time, your energy, your experience and in some cases your hard earned cash - all contributed towards efforts that seem impossible and impractical. Like for instance, building, maintaining and operating a type foundry. Yup. It's the kind of thing that doesn't quite pencil out on paper, but the meaningful and memorable things in life often aren't easily explained. It's something to be grateful for. Pics above are from the C.C. Stern Type Foundry volunteer appreciation picnic. Type was cast, prints were made, poems were recited, projects were shared.
C.C. Stern Type Foundry Newsletter April 30th, 202
Rebecca and Connie put together a brief newsletter and quietly sent it out into the world last weekend while we were at the American Typecasting Fellowship Conference in Maine. Here it is. The images above and below were taken moments ago of the C.C. Stern Type Foundry on this rainy May 4th 2023 evening. We’ve got work to do, but things are coming together nicely.
On-Line Launch of the C.C. Stern Type Foundry Poets Laureate Broadside series this evening!
As the dust has been settling from the recent C.C. Stern Type Foundry move to its new pole barn home in Clatskanie, my colleagues at the foundry have also been busy coordinating the release of a broadside that is the first in a series highlighting Pacific Northwest Poets Laureate. This first broadside features a poem by Samuel Green (Poet Laureate of Washington State 2007-2009), written in honor of the life of our friend, mentor, master craftsman and the organization's name sake: Chris Stern. Join us on-line for the launch of this broadside and of the series this Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Details for the event are here. The event is free, but an RSVP is required. I hope to see you there live on the internets.
C.C. Stern Type Foundry "The Point" 2021 newsletter is in the mail
The 2021 issue of the C.C. Stern Type Foundry Newsletter "The Point" is in the mail. See previous posts here and here) We're pleased with the quality of the type, the metal is consistent, face is clean and weight is solid. We did have an issue with the casting of the exclamation point (this is a "note to self" to check it out when I'm back at the Foundry) it did not print cleanly - I suspect that there is some flashing stuck in the matrix. Luckily we had cast plenty of sorts, and were able to use the best (!) to achieve a satisfactory exclamation.
If you are not on the C.C. Stern Type Foundry mailing list and you would like to receive a copy of "The Point" 2021 newsletter cast and printed with metal type, visit the website and sign up for the mailing list and/or donate (The C.C. Stern Type Foundry is an Oregon 501(c)3 non-profit organization) some funds towards postage. I believe there are about 30 prints remaining after this current mailing.
C.C. Stern Type Foundry "The Point" newsletter progress
Type has been cast, Linotype border material also cast (see previous blog) and ink is going down on the C.C. Stern Type Foundry “The Point” newsletter as I type this. We should have them in the mail by the end of the week. Would you like one? Visit the C.C. Stern Type Foundry Donation page and donate some funds towards postage (or however much your generous-type-foundry-supporting-heart desires ) and we’ll get you a copy hot off the presses.
Typetober
The machines were humming at the C.C. Stern Type Foundry today. Connie, Joe, and Rebecca were working on the comp caster and had success in casting type for our upcoming issue of The Point. Jeff and I filled a Linotype galley with decorative border rule (also for The Point) and type to be used for bookplates. It has been a gorgeous day out here in the Pacific Northwest, made better with the gathering of the type casting crew and happy machines.
Clips taken during C.C. Stern Type Foundry open hours
A random collection of video clips taken in 2018 - 2019 during C.C. Stern Type Foundry open hours. This was compiled rather quickly on a phone for the occasion of the College Book Art Association (CBAA) 2020 Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana January 2–4, 2020