21.11.2011

Bodleian Library's historic printing presses find a new home at The Story Museum

The Bodleian Library's wonderful historic printing presses have found a new home at The Story Museum, where they will stay for a couple of years. The presses and printing equipment, some of which dates from 1669 are now in large, sunny rooms and christened The Bodleian Hand Printing Workshop at The Story Museum.

The Bodleian’s Bibliography Room was founded in 1948 and has been housed in the Clarendon Building and the New Bodleian, most recently in the basement. Family printing sessions for children aged 8-16 years, courses, workshops and one-off demonstrations and displays will be held at The Story Musuem, using techniques and machinery that have not changed since the early 19th century – and have their origins in mid-15th century Germany.

Family workshop, Saturday December 3, 2.00-4.00pm

This is the first family session, a two-hour workshop led by Dr Paul Nash, a specialist in historic printing techniques and presses at the Bodleian Library. Paul will give a short talk on the history of printing, after which there’ll be the chance to set some type and print a keepsake by hand, using some of the historic printing presses.

The workshop is suitable for ages 8 plus.  Places are limited to 16 only. Children aged 8-16 must bring along their own adult. Cost: £8 pp.

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For more information on print events at The Story Museum, visit http://www.storymuseum.org.uk/the-story-museum/printing-workshops

 For more information on the printing presses visit http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley/library/specialcollections/resources/printing_press