In co-operation with the NSW State Library’s Rare Book Week 2025, the Penrith Museum of Printing (PMoP) is staging a free 2-hour session on 21 October, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, with three speakers covering topics around how fonts were created, the impact of the Linotype machine, and the evolution of book structures.
As a working Museum featuring Linotype and Letterpress machines, the expert presentations will be followed by live demonstrations of these processes.
Beautiful facsimiles of the Gutenberg 42-line Bible and the Illuminations with hidden secrets will be explored.
There will also be an early 1916 edition of one of Australia’s top-selling books, CJ Dennis’ ‘Songs of a Sentimental Bloke’. The first print run was only 2,500 but it proved so popular it was reprinted time and time again, reaching an estimate 300,000 copies or more, remaining in print until 2018.
Magnificent examples of Box Wood engravings and historical books and newspapers will also be on display.
Attendees can also immerse themselves in the Living Museum and try their hand at setting type, letter by letter, in 12pt.
Attendee numbers have to be strictly limited due to space and safety constraints so those interested are recommended to book by phone on: 0408 412 708 or by email to the Museum’s President: ralockley07@gmail.com
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