Typesetter? Block/Cut - California, USA

[Dave Hughes]

View on eBay:
Seated Man Setting Lead Type In Composing Stick copper Print Block Letterpress*

Seller's description:

Here we have a vested man seated in front of upper and lower type cases setting movable lead type in a composing stick in his left hand while his cat looks on. At least that's what it looks like to me.


The block measures approximately 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches tall.  The raised copper surface is mounted type high (.918 inches) on a wood block.

Print Blocks, or cuts, were used by letterpress printers. This block likely dates to the 1930s

The raised metal surface was inked and pressed against the paper in a printing press to produce a right reading impression.

Please see photos for condition.

* Note, the second photo has been digitally reversed to show how the blocks would look if printed.

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