New cards, great son...

I have found a cost effective way to produce the second iteration of my business cards...child labor!!!

Phase One:
Here is my son, Eli, working hard on the project. In the first, he is working on the front of the card, printing it on this amazing five color offset press.

He is clearly very proud, if a bit embarrassed, at how good the outcome appears to be. We decided to print this "Second Edition" on a slightly heavier stock, about 110 pounds and in a slightly "toothy" natural white. Eli was very interested to learn that this sheet was printed "eight up", which is to say, there are eight images of the card front. Eli then cut all the sheets at the midline to create four up sheets, which were needed for Phase Two.

Phase Two:
Next we find Eli working hard at the Lineotype machine...though we actually used a different hot type machine to make the type for the back of the cards. Eli, again showing his innate genius for design and lily-gilding, suggested that rather than printing the rear of the card offset, as we did the first time, we should hand letterpress the back. He thought it would have a slightly older, more sophisticated look and feel this way. How could we disagree. Eli learned some useful information...molten lead is *really* hot...even cool lead should not be played with (nor should it be eaten).

He took these lessons to heart and set to work creating the type and the plate for our sphinx logo. Then it was off to the presses (so to speak). In the last image, he can be seen before his trusty Heidelberg press. This was not, of course, the press we used for the cards, but it was Eli's favorite and he asked to be shot in front of it.

All in all, Eli did a wonderful job and the cards will be ready for the New York Show next week.

Speaking of which, we will be in NY next week for the Books at the 25th Street Armory show. The event runs two days, Jan. 26 and 27. It is going to be a great event with some really wonderful dealer and a one of my more favorite locations (in part, because I *love* The Giraffe). Anyone who comes gets a fresh new letter-pressed business card.

We will be bringing some exceptional material with a focus on illustrated and illustrated juvenilia...with a focus on Kent, Ward, Masereel and Rackham. Eli, unfortunately, will not be able to join us. Having done such a nice job on the cards, I think he will be spending the weekend doing repairs to the basement. Children are wonderful. Hope to see you in NY.