Skyline Type Foundry is pleased to report that we are the subject of an illustrated online feature and live interview just published by National Public Radio. This was generated from an on-site visit last year by reporters from the NPR Phoenix affiliate station KJZZ. You can find it here: https://www.kjzz.org/the-show/2025-02-27/a-mechanically-explainable-mystery-prescott-type-foundry-keeps-analog-fonts-alive. (Click the LISTEN button below the headline; the onscreen text is a transcription of the audio.) My favorite line: their description of the Thompson Type Caster as “a cross between a woodburning stove and an oil rig“!
As our new casting for April we bring you Bernhard Modern Roman in 18 point to join last month’s 24 point.
Logged three Treasure Hunts in April. Two more trips (of five) finally closed out that old shop in the remote California desert town, and we hauled in a truck & trailer load of surplus type from a university. Got some wood type we’ll be posting for sale as soon as able. The quantity of used type safely stashed away in our warehouse has now increased from three lifetimes of sorting to at least four.
Letterpress Boot Camp is going strong here at Skyline. Staged in our well-equipped pressroom, it’s a 3-day hands-on introduction to all phases of producing a letterpress printing job on a platen press—with real type; no computer plastic is allowed here. This class is designed for the person with interest but no previous experience. The cost is shockingly low, in keeping with our Mission Statement to preserve and perpetuate the Craft. Here you ‘ll learn the traditional ways and learn them right. The Instructor is our Chief Casterman Jared B, and for maximum personalization, classes are limited to only two students. Drop a note to sky@skylinetype.com and we’ll sign you up for the dates of your choice. (I’m talkin’ to you, Zip Code 85925!)
April brings that best of west coast events, the Bay Area Printers Fair sponsored by the San Jose Printers Guild. Skyline is once again supporting it as Gold Sponsor and we’ll be there with a truckload of shiny new type for you to browse. Free hand delivery for any online order. (Select Local Pickup as the shipping option, and in the Notes field type “Bring to BAPF”.) We are also buying scrap type for cash or foundry credit—bring all you got. See our home page for helpful info about this.
Normally we celebrate Pi Day (3/14) with a free shipping sale, but in writing the March News Release I plumb* forgot about it! This annual sale will remain a Skyline tradition, and the same on Type High Day (9/18).
*Smirking and insincere apologies for that lame paranomasia.