This letterpress mini poster/print has been produced as a specimen of the quite rare wood type font known as Gothic Tuscan Pointed from about 1859. The manufacturer* of this wood type is identified as J.G. Cooley & Co. of New York. Printing was done at Dry Inc by Richard Kegler. This 6-line version was hand set on a Vandercook proofing press and run with black and burgundy inks on white uncoated paper.
• 6" × 12"
• Black & Burgundy ink
• Boxcar Flurry White Cover
• Initialed and numbered
• Limited edition of only 35
*While the identification of this design is noted as J.G. Cooley, the type is stamped with "S.B.S." This presents a bit of a mystery. S.B.S in the type world is usually associated with Stephenson Blake Sheffield. This type was found in the USA and it seems unlike anything ever offered by the English foundry. Type historian David Sheilds offers a suggestion that Stephenson Blake seemed possible but also: "I have no definitive confirmation on this, It could be Bill, Stark & Co (though there were two Bill brothers and on one Stark, so doesn't line up perfectly). The only known Bill, Stark, & Co catalog doesn't show this face (not that it means anything)." We welcome any input on the origin of the SBS maker stamp on wood type!