The Penrith Museum of Printing and Australian Library & Information Society (ALIA) have come together to host a rare Book Week event that explores the art of box wood engraving.

The event, which will take place on 20 October from 11am to 1pm at the Penrith Museum of Printing in NSW, will allow attendees to discover how intricate images were once hand-carved from wood blocks, with actual examples of these impressive engravings from a time before the advent of photography in 1888.

“You’ll have the chance to see hand-carved wood blocks bolted together, a full-page from the Pictorial Australian in 1887,” Penrith Museum of printing president Bob Lockley said.

“During the presentation, witness live demonstrations of traditional hand and machine typesetting, and see historical printing presses in action. Learn how books and newspapers were meticulously crafted in a world without modern technology.

“Marvel at an1841 Columbian Press, responsible for printing the Sydney Morning Herald in the 1800s, and the Wharfedale Press, once used to print the Nepean Times.

“One of the tour’s highlights is the opportunity to view the press that printed Australia’s last letterpress newspaper, the Dorrigo Gazette, on 30 June 2023 – a piece of living history from just last year!”

In addition, attendees will have the unique opportunity to try their hand at typesetting, creating a line of type just as it was done in the 1400s.

The tour also features facsimiles of the original Gutenberg Bible, alongside many other examples of early book printing, showcasing the evolution of the printed word.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Click here to register for the event.

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