President’s APA March Bundle Honor Roll

I’m a little late posting my Honor Roll for the March bundle due to a 3 week trip to New York for a rental of printing equipment from the Printing Museum for an HBO series, “The Gilded Age”; we set up a full 1880’s working newspaper shop. Look for on the small screen next spring!

My highlights of the bundle each month is purely personal and subjective, with the overall hope that all of us would reach out to fellow APA members whose printing impresses or inspires us, whether in a postcard or by email or by phone. If you don’t have the necessary contact information, just reach out to Katie Roeck, Secretary or by checking the online member database on the members-only group website

Click on any image for a larger view

1. Nils Young #537: 90th BIRTHDAY CARD

Ornaments, borders and vintage type has always been a fast way to my heart. I can curl up in bed with bed with a BB&S Type Catalog while my wife looks at me puzzled with some novel in her hands! Nils did a great job with the use of the ornaments in a way not to overwhelm the design (look at those corners!), and the hierarchy of the information is maintained with the the other decorations and changes in type styles along with the subtle use of color (5 colors!). Excellent letterpress printing as well… great job Nils!

2. Rich Hopkins #226: WRONG FONTS

Rich is one of our oldest APA members, now celebrating 60 years of active membership. Besides being an excellent letterpress printer, his design work and typography is always first-rate. And as the Godfather of ATF and all things Monotype, virtually everything he prints is from type he has cast himself at his Hill & Dale Type Foundry. This piece is no exception and is a beautiful and creative way to express a needed message to the membership; “Wrong Fonts” is full of history and wisdom from one of our letterpress elders. Thanks Rich, and I do love those ornaments!

3. Gregory Jackson Walters #777: ANNUS HORRIBILUS

The simple but powerful design of Gregory’s piece made me stop and think about the year 2020 that we have all just experienced, with its emptiness on many levels reflected in his use of outline type. Now that we are in 2021 and things continue but with a bit more hope, maybe it will be shaded. Please take the time to read his card and his personal note inside. I know that 2021 continues to be a challenge for our dear printing friend. Gregory, you were able to say so much with so little, and without using the word COVID.

4. And for my Jim Daggs Refrigerator Award
Jeff Walgren #975: LAZY PEOPLE COASTER

This actually made it to my kitchen counter rather than my fridge, but I have entertained quite a few people with it… haven’t decided what drink to put on it (maybe I’m just being lazy about the decision!).

Mark Barbour
2021 APA President
714-529-1832
Email Mark Here

Note from Lance Williams, #785, Web Manager: As I keep posting these for Mark, I hope I am getting a little better each time…  Please let me know what you think with the changes in format from month to month and any suggestions for improvement….